Writer/director Adam Hoelzel makes his feature debut with TENDER, a slow-burn psychological thriller that will world premiere as the closing night film of Dances With Films: LA on June 28, 2026 at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
The film follows a married couple drowning in debt who discover what appears to be salvation hidden within the walls of their own home. Their relief curdles quickly into obsession — a creeping paranoia that unravels their relationship from the inside out. What begins as financial desperation spirals into suspicion, psychological collapse, and the claustrophobic dread of watching two people who love each other become unrecognizable to one another.
Jesse Garcia and Jess Weixler lead the cast, joined by Robert Longstreet (The Witch, Swallow), David Koechner (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse), Sonja O’Hara, Shakira Barrera, and Mark St. Cyr. Hoelzel previously wrote the screenplay for Beast of Burden, starring Daniel Radcliffe.
Closing night at Dances With Films is a big deal. TENDER screens June 28, 2026 at the TCL Chinese Theatre. Tickets and festival information at danceswithfilms.com.
