
The Actor follows a young performer trying to complete a self-audition tape while an unending stream of interruptions pushes him toward an existential spiral. Directed and written by Aaron Saldaña Cisneros, this 15-minute thriller-horror stars JD Hathway and Angelica Dulen in an English-language production from the United States.
The Actor is a 2026 thriller-horror centered on a familiar modern task: recording a self-audition tape. What begins as an attempt to finish a performance becomes increasingly destabilized by interruptions that test the young actor’s focus and sense of reality.
Written and directed by Aaron Saldaña Cisneros, the short film stars JD Hathway as The Actor and Angelica Dulen as Aly. Mission Avenue is listed as the production company.
The Actor movie details
| Title | The Actor |
|---|---|
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 15m |
| Genres | Thriller, Horror |
| Director | Aaron Saldaña Cisneros |
| Writer | Aaron Saldaña Cisneros |
| Country | United States of America |
| Languages | English |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
The film follows a young actor who is trying to complete a self-audition tape. His effort is repeatedly interrupted, and the accumulating disruptions send him into an existential spiral. The premise keeps the story focused on one pressured task and the psychological tension that develops around it.

What to expect
The Actor is classified as both a thriller and a horror film, with its tension built around an increasingly troubled attempt to record a self-tape. Its 15-minute runtime suggests a compact, concentrated story rather than an expansive narrative. The supplied premise points to psychological unease, escalating interruptions and questions surrounding the actor’s state of mind, without revealing how the situation develops.
Cast and creative team
JD Hathway plays The Actor, the young performer at the center of the story. Angelica Dulen is credited as Aly. Aaron Saldaña Cisneros wrote and directed the film, handling both its screenplay and direction.
- JD Hathway as The Actor
- Angelica Dulen as Aly
Release and production context
The Actor is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of October 2, 2026. It has a runtime of 15 minutes and is produced in the United States of America. The film’s spoken language is English, and Mission Avenue is credited as its production company. Its status is listed as Released.
Production companies: Mission Avenue
Reported production figures:
Budget $3,000
The Actor official trailer
Watch the official trailer on YouTube
Movies Dock view
With its short runtime and tightly defined premise, The Actor presents a focused thriller-horror setup built around the pressure of a self-audition tape. The credited cast and filmmaker keep the project centered on a small-scale psychological scenario, while the interruptions provide the main source of mounting uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Actor about?
The Actor follows a young actor attempting to finish a self-audition tape while ongoing interruptions push him into an existential spiral.
Who directed The Actor?
The Actor was directed by Aaron Saldaña Cisneros.
Who wrote The Actor?
Aaron Saldaña Cisneros wrote the film.
Who stars in The Actor?
JD Hathway plays The Actor, and Angelica Dulen plays Aly.
How long is The Actor?
The Actor has a runtime of 15 minutes.
Film data:
TMDB















