The thriller American Dollhouse will make its world premiere at the 2026 South by Southwest Film Festival as part of the festival’s Midnighters lineup. The screening is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at 10:30 p.m. at the Alamo Lamar 4 theater in Austin.
Written and directed by John Valley, the film marks the Austin-based director’s second feature following his debut The Pizzagate Massacre. The story centers on a woman who returns to her childhood home hoping to rebuild her life after addiction and financial hardship. Her plans begin to unravel when a neighbor develops an obsessive fixation on her, convinced she resembles his deceased mother. As the situation escalates, the protagonist’s friends begin disappearing, drawing her into a violent and increasingly unpredictable situation.
The film stars Hailley Lauren, Kelsey Pribilski, Tinus Seaux, Danielle Evon Ploeger, and Richard C. Jones.
Produced by David Axe, Samuel Butler, Shane Greb, Jon Wroblewski, and Christian Sosa of Roosevelt Film Lab, the film was shot entirely in Austin with a local cast and crew. Cinematography is by Taylor Camarot.
Director John Valley described the SXSW premiere as a meaningful milestone for the project and its Austin-based creative team.
American Dollhouse premieres at SXSW on March 13, 2026.
