Please Refrain From Talking

2025

Series | Period Piece

A whimsical, surrealistic drama sets in a hidden speakeasy, where an unexpected guest stumbles into a secret world of burlesque dancers and untold stories.

DIRECTED BY

Thang Ho

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Synopsis

GIRL THERAPY is a story of two young girls, drawn to an abandoned house as they work on a school project, stumble upon ghostly reflections of themselves—two girls from the 1800s trapped between worlds. As they unravel the mysteries of the past, they form an unexpected bond that transcends time. This haunting yet heartwarming tale explores the connection between past and present, blending supernatural intrigue with the complexities of young love and friendship.

Genre

Sci-Fi | Dystopian | Drama

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Movie Comps

Last of Us

Bittersweet | Somber | Creepy

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Oblivion

Dystopian | AI | Other worldly

Purpose for making De Novo

De Novo explores a hauntingly dystopian future where humanity’s grasp on existence teeters on the brink. Amid a world ravaged by scientific overreach and moral decay, a determined biologist embarks on a soul-searching quest to unravel life’s true meaning. In a journey fraught with peril and revelation, this gripping tale confronts the intersection of science, purpose, and the human spirit—challenging audiences to rethink what it truly means to live.

Characters

Jonah

cast
Jenna Kanell

An androgynous mycologist who passionately derives fulfillment from her scientific research, even while at philosophical odds with the major pharmaceutical company she works for. She prefers the isolation of the wilderness to the company of others, and believes everything can be boiled down to data.

Aviyaan

cast
To Be Announced

Jonah's romantic partner, and a fellow scientist, albeit one who works in a lab. Having watched his highly successful mother die alone, to him his job is just that. Hopelessly in love, he has the heart of a poet, and wants nothing more than for Jonah to come home so they can build a life together.

Chiasa

cast
To Be Announced

A bioethicist, who on behalf of the corporation interrupts to evaluate over the course of a week whether to renew Jonah's research grant. She takes her work quite seriously, at the intersection of philosophy and science. But eventually, her true intentions erupt to the surface.

Paul

cast
Frank Crim

Jonah's mentor and father figure, he's devoted his life to building a piece of fungal biotechnology: a machine powered by mycelium. He helped usher Jonah into her field and her job and continues to provide guidance. But he's dying.

Current Status

Development ⎯ Pre-Pro ⎯ Production

“We’re so hyped to make this movie with our friends! We didn’t want to sit around waiting for permission — we just wanted to go for it and make it happen. It’s not just about being on screen; we’re learning all the cool behind-the-scenes stuff from legit pros and getting to see what filmmaking is really all about”