Director and cinematographer Jonathan Bensimon is making his feature directorial debut with Lice, a new horror-comedy now in post-production. Written by Anthony Musella and Lizze Gordon, the film brings together a cast led by Justin Long (Barbarian, Jeepers Creepers), Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), and Kevin Connolly (Entourage, The Notebook).
The story unfolds after a gruesome death inside a high school sets off a terrifying chain reaction. An almost invisible parasite spreads quickly, transforming students into violent maniacs. Locked inside under quarantine, both students and faculty descend into hysteria.
Justin Long stars as Principal Van, whose attempts to control the chaos collapse under his own mounting anxiety. Emile Hirsch plays Mr. Shanker, a weary science teacher who tries to uncover the truth behind the outbreak, tracing it to a possible government experiment gone wrong. Meanwhile, Kevin Connolly portrays Detective Sikorski, working outside the school to contain the crisis before it engulfs the entire town.
Produced under Connolly’s ActionPark Productions banner, the film also includes producers Jeremy Alter (Inland Empire, The Up and Comer) and Gary Goldman (Entourage, The Up and Comer).
With its blend of horror and comedy, Lice explores paranoia, control, and the destructive power of fear when pushed to the breaking point.
