Kentucky Bourbon (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

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Kentucky Bourbon is a 17-minute horror thriller about a recovering alcoholic whose move to an idyllic suburb becomes a nightmare when welcoming neighbors expose a disturbing appetite. As Ivory struggles with the temptation of relapse, he must also confront the menace gathering beyond his front door.

Kentucky Bourbon is a 2026 horror thriller short film written and directed by Tristan Avery Thomas. At 17 minutes, it centers on a couple seeking a clean break from a difficult past, only to find that their new community may be far more dangerous than it first appears.

The film combines suburban unease with psychological and macabre elements, placing Ivory’s battle with alcoholism alongside a growing threat from the people around him. Its premise turns the promise of a peaceful fresh start into a sharply unsettling situation.

Kentucky Bourbon movie details

Story without spoilers

Ivory moves with his wife, Zoë, to an idyllic suburban community in the hope of leaving his alcoholism behind. The change of surroundings does not bring the relief they expect. Their neighbors are unusually hospitable, and that friendliness gradually takes on an uncanny quality.

As the danger outside their home becomes harder to ignore, Ivory faces two forms of pressure at once: the persistent pull of alcohol and the frightening presence closing in around him. The story’s central tension comes from whether this supposed refuge can offer any real safety.

What to expect

The supplied genre and premise point to a compact horror experience shaped by paranoia, isolation and suburban discomfort. Kentucky Bourbon also incorporates psychological horror and macabre material, with its threat connected to the neighbors’ insatiable hunger and the film’s cannibalism keyword.

Its short runtime suggests a tightly focused setup rather than an expansive narrative. The premise places equal emphasis on Ivory’s personal struggle and the external menace, giving the film a framework that blends addiction drama with uncanny, potentially cult-like horror.

Cast and creative team

Tristan Avery Thomas wrote and directed Kentucky Bourbon and also appears as Isaac. Ariel Garcia plays Ivory, with Amanda Kang as Zoë. The cast also includes Tom McLaren as Noah, Hans Eleveld as Matthew and La'Tonda Hardy Davis as Abigail.

• Amanda Kang as Zoë
• Tom McLaren as Noah
• Ariel Garcia as Ivory
• Hans Eleveld as Matthew
• La'Tonda Hardy Davis as Abigail
• Tristan Avery Thomas as Isaac

Release and production context

Kentucky Bourbon is listed as released on October 29, 2026. It has a runtime of 17 minutes and is classified as a horror and thriller short film. Gruff Studios is listed as the production company. The supplied metadata does not specify a country or spoken language.

Production companies: Gruff Studios

Kentucky Bourbon official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its brief runtime and focused premise, Kentucky Bourbon sets up a confrontation between personal recovery and an increasingly threatening suburban environment. The film’s combination of alcoholism, paranoia and macabre horror gives it a distinct foundation while keeping the story centered on Ivory’s attempt to find a safer life.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb