Doomscroll
Narrative Feature
Project Type: Narrative Feature
Project Status: Pre-Production
Director: John Michael Riva Jr.
Producer: Indeana Underhill
A supernatural horror-thriller exploring the dark side of modern technology and ancient legends.
LOGLINE
When a recent college graduate inherits his father's haunted inn, he and his friends must confront the spirits that claimed his father's life.
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Hello, my name is John Michael Riva Jr.
I grew up in Los Angeles, California, and spent my summers in the Carolinas and always ended up in a bit of place called Pawley’s Island. I fell in love with this place. The blend of culture and history blew me away from a relatively young state such as California. The land, the food, the people, and its folklore infatuated me—specifically the ghost tales. One tale in particular, a ghost story, captivated me, tied to Pawley’s Island, The Legend of the Gray Man.
I’ve set out to create a narrative based on true events and sightings to place you in suspense, bewilderment, and of course, some laughs. I pull heavily from my experiences with grief and understanding who we are when we enter the “real world” post-college. My film centers around being comfortable with who we are while embracing the change we cannot always control.
SYNOPSIS
After the mysterious disappearance of his father, SAM inherits an old, weathered inn on the coastal island of Pawley’s. Joined by his closest friends—MIKE, SARA, and SLAMMER—he returns to the inn to prepare it for sale. What begins as a somber trip to close a painful chapter quickly turns sinister as the group encounters strange supernatural phenomena tied to local legends of the island.
Sam soon discovers his father has become obsessed with the GRAY MAN, a ghostly figure said to appear before major storms, and ALICE, the spirit of a heartbroken woman. As the supernatural events escalate, Sam unearths secrets about his father’s descent into madness, revealing a darker connection between the inn, the spirits, and his family legacy.
As SAM and his friends struggle to survive the growing menace, they must confront not only the vengeful spirits but also their own tech-driven addictions and fears. Sam is forced to confront his father’s legacy and make a personal sacrifice to lay the spirits to rest finally.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Doomscroll stands out as a unique and timely horror-thriller due to its seamless integration of modern anxieties with timeless supernatural elements. The concept of “doomscrolling”—a behavior where individuals compulsively consume negative news and information online—captures the zeitgeist of our current digital age, where technology both connects and alienates us. This modern-day fear, paired with the eerie atmosphere of coastal folklore, creates a compelling narrative that resonates with contemporary audiences.
The script’s exploration of grief and legacy through a supernatural lens adds emotional depth, making it more than just a horror story. It reflects the universal struggle of dealing with unresolved issues and the past’s haunting influence on the present. Additionally, the isolated setting of the inn, combined with the characters’ emotional isolation, speaks to the current societal themes of loneliness and the need for connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
By blending these modern themes with classic horror elements, Doomscroll offers a fresh take on the genre, making it both relevant and engaging for today’s audiences. Its timely commentary on technology’s role in our lives and its impact on mental health, wrapped in a gripping supernatural narrative, ensures that Doomscroll is not only a thrilling experience but also a reflective one, appealing to both horror fans and those interested in deeper, thought-provoking stories.
THEMES
Grief and Legacy: Sam’s journey of understanding and coping with his father’s disappearance while coming to terms to who he is.
Addiction and Modern Anxiety: The impact of technology and doomscrolling on mental health and the blurred lines between the supernatural and reality.
Isolation and Community: The contrast between seeking physical isolation and the need to belong.
Friendship and Loyalty: The importance of supportive relationships in the face of fear and times of distress.
John Michael Riva Jr.
Director
John Michael Riva Jr. is a writer, director, and photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. He is a screenwriting MFA graduate from the American Film Institute, where his thesis script, FONTANA emerged as a finalist at Final Draft's Big Break contest. His latest short films, PTERRY and DOOMSCROLL won the audience awards for best short film at the Berkshire International Film Festival.
Director’s Statement:
This story draws heavily from my experiences growing up trying to understand who I am through loss. It’s a theme I’ve come to love as hard as it is to own. We can’t run from it - a natural part of life. However, when we suffer the loss of loved ones that feels sudden, unfair, or sadly intentional - I can’t help but feel a sense of devastating stillness, almost like the calm before the storm.
Losing a parent suddenly at a young age rocked my boat. But that was something I was told would happen one day. Losing a family member and a best friend to Suicide - that’s something I was not emotionally trained for. Who the hell is?
Of course, there are the infamous five stages of grief. But for me, that hollow ache, the fragmented numbers that dislocated our reality, is what I want to explore—an entity of horror of the unknown that can swallow us whole.
Where do our loved ones go when they are taken from us in such an abrupt manner? How are we supposed to mourn and cherish the ones who decided to leave us? Is there an easy answer to any of this? Of course not. Is it something that will ever be healed? Probably not, but maybe there is a dark beautyl in that? As painful as it is. Accepting the loss, no matter the cause, is tough to cope. In fact I’m still figuring out how.
Navigating the storm of grief and locating your north star, and arriving to your inner peace. That’s the journey, at least what I’ve experienced. Allowing yourself to be set free, free of the weight of the unknowns, maybe the same unknowns that took your loved ones. Oddly, it has been cathartic for my healing process. My goal and hope is that this project can connect with those similarly suffering from those unforeseen threats that can pull us under - a beacon to heed the warning of the impending storms that have yet to hit us.
Indeana Underhill
Producer & Cinematographer
Indeana Underhill is a producer and co-founder of Cinematography for Actors (CFA), a nonprofit focused on educating and supporting underrepresented filmmakers. A graduate of the American Film Institute’s Cinematography Conservatory, she is also an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers and a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers and the ASC MITC Lens Committee.
Indeana is currently producing Axe Women: The Modern Lumberjill, a documentary on female timber sports athletes, and Doomscroll, a narrative film exploring modern anxieties and true myths. With experience across 30 countries and over 40 credits, she has worked professionally in the US, Canada, South Korea, and Egypt, among others.
She frequently guest lectures at institutions like Cornell University and speaks at major film festivals, sharing her expertise with the next generation of filmmakers.
Your Help
DOOMSCROLL is a fiscally sponsored project of Cinematography for Actors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation will be tax-deductible!