The Cryonicist (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

The Cryonicist is a 14-minute science-fiction thriller about a college student who attempts to preserve her deceased boyfriend through improvised cryogenics. Directed by Joe Greening and written by Quinn Spicker, the short blends crime elements with an intense, high-concept premise.

The Cryonicist is a 2026 science-fiction thriller short directed by Joe Greening and written by Quinn Spicker. Running for 14 minutes, it centers on a college student whose determination to preserve her boyfriend pushes her toward an extreme criminal act.

Produced by the American Film Institute Conservatory, the film combines science fiction with thriller and crime elements. Its compact runtime suggests a focused story built around one urgent decision and its immediate consequences, without revealing how that situation unfolds.

The Cryonicist movie details

Story without spoilers

The film follows Oli, described as a brilliant but obsessive college student. After her boyfriend, Max, is taken off life support by his family, Oli tries to take matters into her own hands. She steals his body and attempts to freeze him cryogenically using a do-it-yourself process.

That premise places the story at the intersection of grief, obsession, science and crime. The supplied synopsis establishes Oli’s objective and the extraordinary method she chooses, while leaving the practical and personal complications of the plan for the film itself.

What to expect

The Cryonicist is a short-form thriller with a science-fiction premise and crime-driven stakes. Viewers can expect a tightly contained story focused on Oli’s attempt to carry out an improvised cryogenic procedure after Max’s removal from life support.

The 14-minute runtime points to a concise presentation rather than an expansive world-building exercise. The available information identifies the film’s central moral and logistical dilemma but does not specify its ending, visual approach or broader themes, so those elements are best left undisclosed.

Cast and creative team

Sadie Jeanne plays Oli, the central college student, while Ethan Lupoff plays Max. Donna Jay Fulks appears as Celeste, Steven Cox as Paul, and Mekinna Knight as Julia. The supporting cast also includes Corey Hegel as Nurse, Karen Kahler as Scientist, Greg Roman as Janitor, and Arun Storrs as Doctor. Razel Solow is also credited in the cast without a listed character.

Joe Greening directs The Cryonicist, with Quinn Spicker credited as writer.

• Sadie Jeanne as Oli
• Ethan Lupoff as Max
• Donna Jay Fulks as Celeste
• Steven Cox as Paul
• Mekinna Knight as Julia
• Corey Hegel as Nurse
• Karen Kahler as Scientist
• Greg Roman as Janitor
• Razel Solow
• Arun Storrs as Doctor

Release and production context

The Cryonicist is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of October 11, 2026. It has a runtime of 14 minutes and is categorized as a Thriller, Science Fiction and Crime film. The production company is the American Film Institute Conservatory. No country or spoken language is listed in the supplied information.

Production companies: American Film Institute Conservatory

Movies Dock view

With its short runtime and unusual premise, The Cryonicist is structured around a clear speculative question: how far will Oli go to preserve someone she cannot accept losing? The film’s combination of personal obsession, improvised science and criminal action gives it a sharply defined setup while keeping the full outcome undisclosed.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb