Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, Being the Ricardos, Red One), BAFTA nominee and Tony winner Nina Arianda (Billions, Being the Ricardos), Olivia Simmons (You Can’t Run Forever, Honor Student) and Jake Ryan (Asteroid City, Eighth Grade) have joined the ensemble cast of 109 Billion Followers, the new film from Thier Productions and Darius Films, which begins filming this November in New York City.

Described as a magical realism dramedy, the film is helmed by writer, director and producer Ela Thier (Foreign Letters, Tomorrow Ever After) and is produced by Nicholas Tabarrok (The Baker, Irena’s Vow).

109 Billion Followers follows the story of a film student (Olivia Simmons) who makes a documentary about a homeless man (J.K. Simmons) who is convinced that he’s the Grim Reaper. Her cameraman and unlikely love interest (Jake Ryan) adds laughs and heart, while her broken but loving mother (Nina Arianda) adds drama and mess.

“Our connection with our parents or caregivers can be fraught with pain and complexities, and influence all of our subsequent relationships in life,” said director Ela Thier on the film. “This film is my love letter to all parents, including my own.”

Producer Nicholas Tabarrok adds, “I’ve had the good fortune of working with J.K. Simmons in the past (A Beginner’s Guide to Endings) and couldn’t be happier to be working with him again alongside the rest of this superb cast. And what could be a more iconic filming location than New York City in the Fall?”

The film’s crew also includes Director of Photography Milton Kam, and Production Designer Mariana Soares, with casting by Mia Cusumano and Meghan Rafferty.