Directed by Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson, Serious People is an indie comedy film about a music video director struggling to juggle his work and personal lives.
He hires a look-alike to take on his workload as he tends to his family’s needs.
Starring in the film are Pasqual Gutierrez, along with Christine Yuan, RJ Sanchez, and Miguel Huerta.
Serious People premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for the NEXT Innovator Award; and is set for its theatrical release on November 14 with its VOD release on December 16.
Here is the synopsis: Successful Music Video director Pasqual Gutierrez is faced with a dilemma on the due date of his first-born child: a job offer for his biggest video yet. Frustrated with his poor work/life balance, Gutierrez casts a doppelgänger named Miguel to take over his work duties in his director duo Cliqua as he prepares to take an extended paternity leave. But as Pasqual starts to spend more time with Miguel to teach him how to step into this new role, Pasqual’s relationship and his work suffer, ending with a disastrous music video shoot. Serious People explores what it means to be a “director,” a parent, and the replaceability of people in clout-heavy Los Angeles.
The film blends elements of documentary and fiction, featuring real-life partners and collaborators portraying exaggerated versions of themselves. It explores themes of identity, ambition, and the challenges of balancing personal life with professional demands in the entertainment industry.
Sundance programmer Ania Trzebiatowska said, “Co-directors Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson deliver a genre-bending trip of a movie that captures the challenges of balancing the anxieties of impending parenthood with the demands of a career in an often absurdly self-important industry. Serious People is a clever and entertaining commentary on the artistic process, capturing both its joys and pretensions.”
When asked about the characters in the film, Gutierrez says, “There’s a slightly theatrical quality to them at times. But, it’s all rooted in reality. I think because of that, it feels like such a family affair of a film.”
Watch the official trailer for Serious People above.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.