DIRECTOR’S CUT: Slasher Film Featuring Soundtrack by ICE NINE KILLS’ Ricky Armellino - Out Now!

by The Metalverse

Updated July 09, 2025

DIRECTOR’S CUT is a new independent horror film that pays homage to the cinema of the 80s and 90s. The movie has an original soundtrack produced by guitarist Ricky Armellino of Ice Nine Kills.

The movie stars veteran actor Louis Lombardi (THE SOPRANOS, SUICIDE KINGS, 24) as a mysterious, murderous sociopath preying on a punk band’s desperate desire for fame. In DIRECTOR’S CUT, a Long Island punk band meets a mysterious director through social media who generously offers to shoot their first music video for free. Desperate for fame, they drive deep into the Pennsylvania woods in hopes of making a killer music video. But after a long night of drinking with the gregarious director, the band wakes up to find a very different version of him on set. Egos and opinions clash, with the director unveiling a terrible anger and uncompromising need for total control. As his professionalism breaks down, so does his sanity – with the unhinged director and his assistant turning the band members into the unwitting stars of his very own snuff film.

"This person they meet, Mister Director, represents the evil in the music business,” said filmmaker Don Capria. “DIRECTOR’S CUT is a cautionary tale to the youth of today to mind your surroundings and tread carefully when you are seeking fame and fortune - there are some dangerous people out there waiting for you, especially in the entertainment industry."

You can watch the video on streaming platforms here:

We also had the chance to get an exclusive interview with director Don Capria on the film, see below:

1: Both horror and metal can push boundaries that make distributors nervous. Did you face any pushback during production or distribution?

“We definitely did - while there is no shortage of pressure when trying to make a low budget film - telling people you are making a horror comes with a certain stance from most.- I think SAG treated us like a red - headed step child and Im not sure if that was due to the genre - cost of production - or the casting we chose. We also introduced a trans killer and that made a lot of people uncomfortable - but horror is about pushing the boundaries and we weren’t afraid to make people uncomfortable so the pushback is expected.”

2: Where did you draw inspiration from for "Directors Cut" whether through music or other film influences?

“I was actually filming a music video deep in PA in an abandoned location - I had a real moment on set where I thought “We could be killed here and no one would ever know. “ I chased that feeling and built out the story to Director’s Cut. That was the inspiration- then add my career as a music video director, music manager and an artist. The story speaks from all of those experiences.”

3: Did you cast real life musicians to play the band members or train the actors to embody the metal music persona?

“We requested they send in both an audition tape from the character and something of them playing a song. Everyone was already in bands with the exception of Brandy Ochoa (Menace) who picked up the bass and took lessons. It was more about knowing band drama and having something real to pull from then having them play the music with technical precision.”

4: Was the film's band directly inspired by any bands?

The band “existed before the film - People should research that. ;)

5: What was your biggest challenge and favorite part of the directing / filming process?

SAG was the biggest challenge - we filmed during the strike with their waiver agreement - we thought we were this cool indy locking arms with the union showing unity and strength and instead they were a nightmare - at every turn trying to choke us out and kill the production. It was a horror movie on its own. But - that gets outweighed by all of the amazing crew and talent you get to make the movie with that care about the art. My favorite part is that - sending in the middle of the storm and seeing everyone fighting to make it work. Its the most collaborative art for in the world and I cant wait to be back on set for the sequel.

Thanks for reading!