Chrysalis - Darkness grows within
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Thriller, Drama
CHRYSALIS is a female-driven psychological thriller. A married couple tries to reconnect on a secluded weekend getaway. A labyrinth of darkness unravels as the wife has a fatal encounter. Join us on a journey of identity loss, erotic obsession, and a haunting transformation.
Chrysalis - Darkness grows within
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Thriller, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $41,175 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
48 supporters | followers
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CHRYSALIS is a female-driven psychological thriller. A married couple tries to reconnect on a secluded weekend getaway. A labyrinth of darkness unravels as the wife has a fatal encounter. Join us on a journey of identity loss, erotic obsession, and a haunting transformation.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
About Chrysalis
Our story follows Interior designer Lily Anderson, who seems to have a picture-perfect life with her husband, Filip, a charming celebrity therapist. But unresolved trauma haunts her—the stillbirth of her daughter.
Desperate to reconnect and escape the shadows of grief, Lily and Filip embark on a weekend getaway. The picturesque location promises serenity, but the stillness masks something unsettling: strange pupas, mutated black butterflies, and unsettling flashbacks about her miscarriage.
Lily’s inner darkness takes over after meeting Skylar, the mysterious host of the cabin. What
begins as a connection spirals into erotic obsession, psychological manipulation, and a chilling transformation.
As Lily becomes someone unrecognizable, Filip watches his wife slip further away from reality. Who will she become?
If you enjoy movies in the vein of Black Swan, Single White Female, or Polanski’s thrillers, CHRYSALIS draws you into similar psychological unease and leaves you questioning what is real and what is not.
Why This Film Matters
At its core, Chrysalis is about:
- Grief & Loss – universal human experiences.
- Female Identity - the fragility of self, how it can be disturbed, altered, and fractured.
- Transformation – the inner battle between dark and light and the terrifying yet poetic process of becoming something new.
Why We Need Your Support
Independent filmmaking is a labor of love that relies on a community. Your contributions will go directly toward:
Pre-Production – casting, rehearsals, location scouting
Production – crew, equipment, sets, permits, insurance
Post-Production – editing, sound design, color grading, music
Festival Submissions & Distribution – to share Chrysalis with audiences worldwide
Every dollar brings us closer to telling this story authentically and powerfully.
We are excited to announce that we are fiscally sponsored by Project Moon Rose, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to produce inclusive projects led by women, creating a platform for underrepresented voices.
And this means that any contribution you make is tax-deductible.
Join the Transformation
Chrysalis is more than just a film — it’s a story about facing our deepest shadows. With your support, we can bring this powerful vision to life.
Contribute today or share our campaign to become part of the Chrysalis family.
Thank you for believing in and supporting independent film.
— Jul & Karola
Siamese Twins Productions
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $10,000
We want to give our film a realistic feel, which means we must rent and secure permits for all our locations.
Camera Rental
Costs $5,300
To achieve the best possible look for our psychological thriller, we plan to rent a studio-grade camera and the necessary lenses.
Production truck and gas
Costs $3,500
We need to get all of our equipment, gear, and crew from Point A to Point B.
Crew
Costs $10,500
We will be hiring some of the best professionals in the field to make our film the best it can be.
Food and craft services
Costs $2,500
A well-fed cast and crew is a working cast and crew. This keeps everyone happy and moving!
Lighting Equipment
Costs $2,500
Camera, Lights, Action...! Lighting is a crucial part of making your favorite films beautiful.
Grip Gear Equipment
Costs $5,600
So what holds up the lights, the camera...? Stands, clips, filters, tinted gels —it goes on...
Sound Equipment
Costs $3,500
Sound Mixing/Recording is vital for recording actors clearly and with good quality.
Actors
Costs $5,600
This will help us afford to pay our actors for their hard work bringing these characters to life!
Cash Pledge
Costs $1,000
This flexible contribution goes directly toward essential production costs. Every dollar helps bring us this vision to life.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are Jul Kohler and Karola Raimond, the founders of Siamese Twins Productions, and the writers and producers of Chrysalis. This is our fourth project together, and it's our most personal yet.
Siamese Twins Productions
KAROLA RAIMOND is an Award-Winning Filmmaker & Actress who grew up bilingual between Frankfurt, Germany and New York. Trained in ballet and martial arts, her desire for storytelling & expression soon brought her to acting and writing. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Social Psychology while landing numerous guest-star roles on German television dramas.
After relocating to Los Angeles she began appearing in national television commercials and films while simultaneously exploring her spiritual studies becoming a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher and an accomplished Astrologer. Recently you might have seen her on ABC’s General Hospital or The Ghost Trap on Apple TV+.
Her comedy The Cuddler that she wrote, produced and stars in won multiple awards at International Film Festivals with a screening highlight at the Cannes Film Festival. Shortly after she signed a distribution deal and The Cuddler was released on Amazon Prime.
JUL KOHLER is a trilingual artist born in Berlin with a versatile career that includes acting, professional dance, stunts, musicals, and voiceovers. She studied at The Theaterschool in Amsterdam and in Los Angeles, where she expanded her skills. She has danced for artists such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lou Bega, and New Kids on the Block, as well as numerous others, at award shows and in music videos, and has performed on multiple worldwide and European tours.
Her recent work includes a recurring role in Apple TV+’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, as well as appearances in numerous indie and horror films.
Additionally, Jul is a filmmaker, writer, and producer. Her Western short film, "Bury Me Not," has been showcased at festivals such as Mammoth, Hollyshorts, Nightmares Film Festival, LA Shorts Fest, the Cannes Short Film Corner, and the Newport Beach Film Fest and has secured worldwide distribution with GONELLA Productions. You can now watch it on multiple online platforms.
OUR DIRECTOR
JAMES KHANLARIAN grew up in a family where sports and academics were deeply connected. His father, a professional tennis player, and his mother, a university professor, influenced his development of a unique set of skills and values. Despite the family legacy in sports, Khanlarian carved his own path and found his true calling in filmmaking. His career shows perseverance in Hollywood’s highly competitive industry.
After his directorial debut, ‘The Ghost Trap,’ a drama about a lobsterman facing personal struggles while fighting for his family legacy, James gained recognition and success at various film festivals. The film has been picked up for distribution and is now available on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, On Demand, DirecTV, and Spectrum.
Currently, he is in pre-production on his latest film, Paradise Disturbed, a Southern Gothic crime thriller. Besides directing, Khanlarian has also received awards as a screenwriter.
OUR FISCAL SPONSOR
Project Moon Rose
Project Moon Rose is a non-profit organization whose mission is to produce inclusive projects led by women, creating a platform for underrepresented voices. They strive for diversity in front of and behind the camera. One of the founders, April Aguilera, is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (BFA, MFA). She continues to create work that bridges art and empathy, using story to connect audiences through truth, humanity, and change. April has worked with studios including Showtime, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, Apple TV, and Sony Pictures.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
About Chrysalis
Our story follows Interior designer Lily Anderson, who seems to have a picture-perfect life with her husband, Filip, a charming celebrity therapist. But unresolved trauma haunts her—the stillbirth of her daughter.
Desperate to reconnect and escape the shadows of grief, Lily and Filip embark on a weekend getaway. The picturesque location promises serenity, but the stillness masks something unsettling: strange pupas, mutated black butterflies, and unsettling flashbacks about her miscarriage.
Lily’s inner darkness takes over after meeting Skylar, the mysterious host of the cabin. What
begins as a connection spirals into erotic obsession, psychological manipulation, and a chilling transformation.
As Lily becomes someone unrecognizable, Filip watches his wife slip further away from reality. Who will she become?
If you enjoy movies in the vein of Black Swan, Single White Female, or Polanski’s thrillers, CHRYSALIS draws you into similar psychological unease and leaves you questioning what is real and what is not.
Why This Film Matters
At its core, Chrysalis is about:
- Grief & Loss – universal human experiences.
- Female Identity - the fragility of self, how it can be disturbed, altered, and fractured.
- Transformation – the inner battle between dark and light and the terrifying yet poetic process of becoming something new.
Why We Need Your Support
Independent filmmaking is a labor of love that relies on a community. Your contributions will go directly toward:
Pre-Production – casting, rehearsals, location scouting
Production – crew, equipment, sets, permits, insurance
Post-Production – editing, sound design, color grading, music
Festival Submissions & Distribution – to share Chrysalis with audiences worldwide
Every dollar brings us closer to telling this story authentically and powerfully.
We are excited to announce that we are fiscally sponsored by Project Moon Rose, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to produce inclusive projects led by women, creating a platform for underrepresented voices.
And this means that any contribution you make is tax-deductible.
Join the Transformation
Chrysalis is more than just a film — it’s a story about facing our deepest shadows. With your support, we can bring this powerful vision to life.
Contribute today or share our campaign to become part of the Chrysalis family.
Thank you for believing in and supporting independent film.
— Jul & Karola
Siamese Twins Productions
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $10,000
We want to give our film a realistic feel, which means we must rent and secure permits for all our locations.
Camera Rental
Costs $5,300
To achieve the best possible look for our psychological thriller, we plan to rent a studio-grade camera and the necessary lenses.
Production truck and gas
Costs $3,500
We need to get all of our equipment, gear, and crew from Point A to Point B.
Crew
Costs $10,500
We will be hiring some of the best professionals in the field to make our film the best it can be.
Food and craft services
Costs $2,500
A well-fed cast and crew is a working cast and crew. This keeps everyone happy and moving!
Lighting Equipment
Costs $2,500
Camera, Lights, Action...! Lighting is a crucial part of making your favorite films beautiful.
Grip Gear Equipment
Costs $5,600
So what holds up the lights, the camera...? Stands, clips, filters, tinted gels —it goes on...
Sound Equipment
Costs $3,500
Sound Mixing/Recording is vital for recording actors clearly and with good quality.
Actors
Costs $5,600
This will help us afford to pay our actors for their hard work bringing these characters to life!
Cash Pledge
Costs $1,000
This flexible contribution goes directly toward essential production costs. Every dollar helps bring us this vision to life.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are Jul Kohler and Karola Raimond, the founders of Siamese Twins Productions, and the writers and producers of Chrysalis. This is our fourth project together, and it's our most personal yet.
Siamese Twins Productions
KAROLA RAIMOND is an Award-Winning Filmmaker & Actress who grew up bilingual between Frankfurt, Germany and New York. Trained in ballet and martial arts, her desire for storytelling & expression soon brought her to acting and writing. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Social Psychology while landing numerous guest-star roles on German television dramas.
After relocating to Los Angeles she began appearing in national television commercials and films while simultaneously exploring her spiritual studies becoming a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher and an accomplished Astrologer. Recently you might have seen her on ABC’s General Hospital or The Ghost Trap on Apple TV+.
Her comedy The Cuddler that she wrote, produced and stars in won multiple awards at International Film Festivals with a screening highlight at the Cannes Film Festival. Shortly after she signed a distribution deal and The Cuddler was released on Amazon Prime.
JUL KOHLER is a trilingual artist born in Berlin with a versatile career that includes acting, professional dance, stunts, musicals, and voiceovers. She studied at The Theaterschool in Amsterdam and in Los Angeles, where she expanded her skills. She has danced for artists such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lou Bega, and New Kids on the Block, as well as numerous others, at award shows and in music videos, and has performed on multiple worldwide and European tours.
Her recent work includes a recurring role in Apple TV+’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, as well as appearances in numerous indie and horror films.
Additionally, Jul is a filmmaker, writer, and producer. Her Western short film, "Bury Me Not," has been showcased at festivals such as Mammoth, Hollyshorts, Nightmares Film Festival, LA Shorts Fest, the Cannes Short Film Corner, and the Newport Beach Film Fest and has secured worldwide distribution with GONELLA Productions. You can now watch it on multiple online platforms.
OUR DIRECTOR
JAMES KHANLARIAN grew up in a family where sports and academics were deeply connected. His father, a professional tennis player, and his mother, a university professor, influenced his development of a unique set of skills and values. Despite the family legacy in sports, Khanlarian carved his own path and found his true calling in filmmaking. His career shows perseverance in Hollywood’s highly competitive industry.
After his directorial debut, ‘The Ghost Trap,’ a drama about a lobsterman facing personal struggles while fighting for his family legacy, James gained recognition and success at various film festivals. The film has been picked up for distribution and is now available on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, On Demand, DirecTV, and Spectrum.
Currently, he is in pre-production on his latest film, Paradise Disturbed, a Southern Gothic crime thriller. Besides directing, Khanlarian has also received awards as a screenwriter.
OUR FISCAL SPONSOR
Project Moon Rose
Project Moon Rose is a non-profit organization whose mission is to produce inclusive projects led by women, creating a platform for underrepresented voices. They strive for diversity in front of and behind the camera. One of the founders, April Aguilera, is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (BFA, MFA). She continues to create work that bridges art and empathy, using story to connect audiences through truth, humanity, and change. April has worked with studios including Showtime, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, Apple TV, and Sony Pictures.