Go Without Me
Marshall, North Carolina | Film Feature
Drama, Thriller
GO WITHOUT ME is an indie psychological thriller. It follows Lucy, an older sister who loses her little brother on an appalachian river rafting trip. She returns a year later seeking closure, but that backfires when she discovers the rafting company is a psychedelic river-worshiping cult.
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Goal: $100,000 for production
GO WITHOUT ME is an indie psychological thriller. It follows Lucy, an older sister who loses her little brother on an appalachian river rafting trip. She returns a year later seeking closure, but that backfires when she discovers the rafting company is a psychedelic river-worshiping cult.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
First, Watch The Trailer!
THE RIVER SPEAKS...
GO WITHOUT ME is purely indie filmmaking at its finest. It’s a story that is grounded, gritty & gut-wrenching as we follow Lucy seeking closure in the small town of Silver Shoals. The Script is complete. We have a dedicated cast & crew...oh, did I mention the feature will take place in 1995, yeah pretty cool!
This film is going to be different, as we seek to do things as practically as humanly possible. In a world where A.I is flooding every atmosphere, we want to be the dam for indie filmmaking that stops the ever-increasing slop that hurts art and the planet. We already actually river rafted for the concept and will do it again at a bigger scale for the feature! (We also are attempting to burn down a real barn in the feature!)
At its core, this story is about grief. Sadly, everyone in life will experience this, and the best way to tell this journey is through the artistic lens with real, practical filmmaking. Giving the raw & authentic storytelling that this story deserves. This will show what happens when grief is confronted face to face, and when there is nowhere to run but directly at it. The journey is extremely dark, gritty, & raw as Lucy heads into chaos awaiting her in the small town of Silver Shoals. (We promise to tell a story with substance and originality).
SYNOPSIS:
Lucy Browning’s world unraveled the day her younger brother Daniel drowned on a rafting trip. A year later, still lost in grief, she returns to the river town of Silver Shoals searching for closure. Instead, she stumbles into the discovery that the rafting company is actually a river-worshipping cult.
As Lucy infiltrates the group, she discovers their chilling beliefs, a psychedelic drug called Holler, and a twisted leader named Alma. But the deeper Lucy goes, the more the lines blur between trauma, faith, and delusion. To escape with her life and the truth, Lucy must face the cult, her guilt, and what really happened to Daniel in the river.
WHAT KIND OF MOVIE IS THIS? (Vibe Check?)
(This is kinda like a genre blend of three movies).
The River Wild (1994) - Capturing that thriller with non-stop action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
No Country For Old Men - Capturing the beautiful visual language and drama that forces the audience to breathe in uncomfortable places.
Midsommar - Capturing the psychedelic cult nature (But in our own Appalachian way)
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WHY NOW?
Let’s look at what’s happening in culture right now. This generation is craving stories with an original voice. Indie filmmaking is currently seeing a wave of successful projects in 2026. So far, we have seen Curry Barker's Obsession, grossing over $459 million worldwide on a tiny budget of $750,000.
Backrooms by Kane Parsons, which started as a YouTube series that then ended up being a massive success for A24.
The success of FRICK! another film that became successfully funded through S&S, showed us that people were eager to support new and fresh ideas
What do all these films have in common? = Originality...
These are young filmmakers that have a voice and a desire to tell original stories. That is rare in today's industry, but we believe these types of stories are key for memorable films. Go Without Me is built with that same exact indie DNA. We believe in this story and desire to tell it to the masses. Because It's an original story with substance...
WHY US?
This story was birthed out of a grieving season. In the midst of an already challenging season. I lost both of my grandmothers within the span of two months. These great women helped raise me and were a crucial part of my life. It was a tough season as heartbreak/pain consumed me.
Honestly, this wrestle and pain was poured out onto the screenplay for this story in a raw way... I believe in this story, and so does our cast and crew that helped make the concept trailer.
Each of them made sacrifices to make that trailer, and when the rug was pulled out from under us, causing us to not make the feature in 2026. They encouraged me not to give up, because they believed in this story. They all made sacrifices and followed me on the course correction to make the proof of concept, which made me realize that we have something special here.
-Luke Evans, Writer/Director.
THIS IS US FILMING THE CONCEPT TRAILER!
We did the concept trailer in 5 days! It was such a blast to make with our small, rag-tag cast & crew. Everyone was wearing multiple hats to tell the best story possible. Our lead actress was even tagging in to do makeup for others! Talk about commitment.
The cool thing is we're all like family now and want to have a reunion for the feature. (Help us see our film family again...🙂)
PLUS! WE'RE ALREADY CAST!
WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?
- Pre-Production: All the essential preparation phases
- Our Incredible Cast: Putting real, raw talent in front of the camera (like Christine Galyean, Joshua Smith, and Penelope Grover).
- Our Crew on the Ground: Paying fair wages to local crew, locking down location fees, and securing high-end camera packages.
- On-Set Operations: Covering safe lodging, production gear, heavy-duty food/catering, and essential film insurance.
- Post-Production: The editing, haunting sound design, atmospheric scoring, and final premium color grading.
WHERE WILL WE FILM?
We already filmed the trailer in Tennessee & North Carolina, & we will probably film in those locations again for the feature!
WHY JOIN US?
If you enjoy a good, intense, gritty psychological thriller, or if you just like indie films! Plus, we would love to have your name in the credits!
This is a good story to invest in. This story isn't a Hollywood blockbuster trying to check off all the boxes. This is an original story that deals with grief, but it's wrapped in a mystery with a cult in a small Appalachian town.
SO Buckle up and join us on the journey because GO WITHOUT ME isn't pulling punches as it takes you on a wild ride!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Budget/Schedule - Line Producer/AD
Costs $10,000
This money goes to compensate our producing team for the hard work of making a legit budget and schedule for GWM.
Finding a Producer
Costs $10,000
A Producer would guide us and provide real connections and insight.
Production Budget
Costs $80,000
Fund this whole production, I triple dog dare ya! (But seriously...this would be amazing...)
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Team
Luke Evans is an independent filmmaker, director, producer, and writer, as well as the founder of Beholding Studios. Known for narrative works such as Go Without Me, Pegasus: Kidnapped Through Time, Local Hero, and Falling Up, Luke brings a distinct, hands-on, character-driven vision to every phase of storytelling and production.
Christine Galyean stars as Lucy Browning, bringing depth, nuance, and emotional resonance to Go Without Me. A Dallas native who trained in Los Angeles and earned her B.A. in Acting from Pepperdine University, Christine spent three years studying at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia and performed in the International premiere of The Abode at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her extensive international training and screen background shape the heart and dramatic anchor of the film.
Jaxson Smith is a cinematographer. Trained at Full Sail University with over 50 narrative productions under his belt, Jaxson brings a blend of technical precision and visual storytelling to Go Without Me. Behind the lens, he specializes in shaping light, framing emotion, and delivering high-impact cinematic imagery.
Joshua Caleb — Supporting ("Nathan Cooper") Joshua Caleb brings versatile narrative experience to Go Without Me. An actor, writer, and producer known for his roles in Do Not Grow Weary, On the Run, and Pegasus: Kidnapped Through Time, Joshua brings dynamic character work and a strong screen presence to the cast.
Logan Polson — Supporting ("Troy Murphy")
Logan Polson joins the cast as Troy Murphy. An actor with a background spanning over a dozen narrative films, stage productions, and voiceover work, Logan brings dynamic energy, grounded characterization, and versatility to the world of Go Without Me.
Chad Ayers — Supporting ("Sheriff Cox") Chad Ayers joins the cast as Sheriff Cox. A versatile actor with an extensive background in film and television—including roles in The Pendulum Game, The Hill, and Deliverance Creek—Chad brings seasoned screen presence, gravitas, and intensity to the story.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
First, Watch The Trailer!
THE RIVER SPEAKS...
GO WITHOUT ME is purely indie filmmaking at its finest. It’s a story that is grounded, gritty & gut-wrenching as we follow Lucy seeking closure in the small town of Silver Shoals. The Script is complete. We have a dedicated cast & crew...oh, did I mention the feature will take place in 1995, yeah pretty cool!
This film is going to be different, as we seek to do things as practically as humanly possible. In a world where A.I is flooding every atmosphere, we want to be the dam for indie filmmaking that stops the ever-increasing slop that hurts art and the planet. We already actually river rafted for the concept and will do it again at a bigger scale for the feature! (We also are attempting to burn down a real barn in the feature!)
At its core, this story is about grief. Sadly, everyone in life will experience this, and the best way to tell this journey is through the artistic lens with real, practical filmmaking. Giving the raw & authentic storytelling that this story deserves. This will show what happens when grief is confronted face to face, and when there is nowhere to run but directly at it. The journey is extremely dark, gritty, & raw as Lucy heads into chaos awaiting her in the small town of Silver Shoals. (We promise to tell a story with substance and originality).
SYNOPSIS:
Lucy Browning’s world unraveled the day her younger brother Daniel drowned on a rafting trip. A year later, still lost in grief, she returns to the river town of Silver Shoals searching for closure. Instead, she stumbles into the discovery that the rafting company is actually a river-worshipping cult.
As Lucy infiltrates the group, she discovers their chilling beliefs, a psychedelic drug called Holler, and a twisted leader named Alma. But the deeper Lucy goes, the more the lines blur between trauma, faith, and delusion. To escape with her life and the truth, Lucy must face the cult, her guilt, and what really happened to Daniel in the river.
WHAT KIND OF MOVIE IS THIS? (Vibe Check?)
(This is kinda like a genre blend of three movies).
The River Wild (1994) - Capturing that thriller with non-stop action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
No Country For Old Men - Capturing the beautiful visual language and drama that forces the audience to breathe in uncomfortable places.
Midsommar - Capturing the psychedelic cult nature (But in our own Appalachian way)
WHY NOW?
Let’s look at what’s happening in culture right now. This generation is craving stories with an original voice. Indie filmmaking is currently seeing a wave of successful projects in 2026. So far, we have seen Curry Barker's Obsession, grossing over $459 million worldwide on a tiny budget of $750,000.
Backrooms by Kane Parsons, which started as a YouTube series that then ended up being a massive success for A24.
The success of FRICK! another film that became successfully funded through S&S, showed us that people were eager to support new and fresh ideas
What do all these films have in common? = Originality...
These are young filmmakers that have a voice and a desire to tell original stories. That is rare in today's industry, but we believe these types of stories are key for memorable films. Go Without Me is built with that same exact indie DNA. We believe in this story and desire to tell it to the masses. Because It's an original story with substance...
WHY US?
This story was birthed out of a grieving season. In the midst of an already challenging season. I lost both of my grandmothers within the span of two months. These great women helped raise me and were a crucial part of my life. It was a tough season as heartbreak/pain consumed me.
Honestly, this wrestle and pain was poured out onto the screenplay for this story in a raw way... I believe in this story, and so does our cast and crew that helped make the concept trailer.
Each of them made sacrifices to make that trailer, and when the rug was pulled out from under us, causing us to not make the feature in 2026. They encouraged me not to give up, because they believed in this story. They all made sacrifices and followed me on the course correction to make the proof of concept, which made me realize that we have something special here.
-Luke Evans, Writer/Director.
THIS IS US FILMING THE CONCEPT TRAILER!
We did the concept trailer in 5 days! It was such a blast to make with our small, rag-tag cast & crew. Everyone was wearing multiple hats to tell the best story possible. Our lead actress was even tagging in to do makeup for others! Talk about commitment.
The cool thing is we're all like family now and want to have a reunion for the feature. (Help us see our film family again...🙂)
PLUS! WE'RE ALREADY CAST!
WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?
- Pre-Production: All the essential preparation phases
- Our Incredible Cast: Putting real, raw talent in front of the camera (like Christine Galyean, Joshua Smith, and Penelope Grover).
- Our Crew on the Ground: Paying fair wages to local crew, locking down location fees, and securing high-end camera packages.
- On-Set Operations: Covering safe lodging, production gear, heavy-duty food/catering, and essential film insurance.
- Post-Production: The editing, haunting sound design, atmospheric scoring, and final premium color grading.
WHERE WILL WE FILM?
We already filmed the trailer in Tennessee & North Carolina, & we will probably film in those locations again for the feature!
WHY JOIN US?
If you enjoy a good, intense, gritty psychological thriller, or if you just like indie films! Plus, we would love to have your name in the credits!
This is a good story to invest in. This story isn't a Hollywood blockbuster trying to check off all the boxes. This is an original story that deals with grief, but it's wrapped in a mystery with a cult in a small Appalachian town.
SO Buckle up and join us on the journey because GO WITHOUT ME isn't pulling punches as it takes you on a wild ride!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Budget/Schedule - Line Producer/AD
Costs $10,000
This money goes to compensate our producing team for the hard work of making a legit budget and schedule for GWM.
Finding a Producer
Costs $10,000
A Producer would guide us and provide real connections and insight.
Production Budget
Costs $80,000
Fund this whole production, I triple dog dare ya! (But seriously...this would be amazing...)
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet the Team
Luke Evans is an independent filmmaker, director, producer, and writer, as well as the founder of Beholding Studios. Known for narrative works such as Go Without Me, Pegasus: Kidnapped Through Time, Local Hero, and Falling Up, Luke brings a distinct, hands-on, character-driven vision to every phase of storytelling and production.
Christine Galyean stars as Lucy Browning, bringing depth, nuance, and emotional resonance to Go Without Me. A Dallas native who trained in Los Angeles and earned her B.A. in Acting from Pepperdine University, Christine spent three years studying at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia and performed in the International premiere of The Abode at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her extensive international training and screen background shape the heart and dramatic anchor of the film.
Jaxson Smith is a cinematographer. Trained at Full Sail University with over 50 narrative productions under his belt, Jaxson brings a blend of technical precision and visual storytelling to Go Without Me. Behind the lens, he specializes in shaping light, framing emotion, and delivering high-impact cinematic imagery.
Joshua Caleb — Supporting ("Nathan Cooper") Joshua Caleb brings versatile narrative experience to Go Without Me. An actor, writer, and producer known for his roles in Do Not Grow Weary, On the Run, and Pegasus: Kidnapped Through Time, Joshua brings dynamic character work and a strong screen presence to the cast.
Logan Polson — Supporting ("Troy Murphy")
Logan Polson joins the cast as Troy Murphy. An actor with a background spanning over a dozen narrative films, stage productions, and voiceover work, Logan brings dynamic energy, grounded characterization, and versatility to the world of Go Without Me.
Chad Ayers — Supporting ("Sheriff Cox") Chad Ayers joins the cast as Sheriff Cox. A versatile actor with an extensive background in film and television—including roles in The Pendulum Game, The Hill, and Deliverance Creek—Chad brings seasoned screen presence, gravitas, and intensity to the story.