Actor Carlo Mendez stars in the new thriller “Demise,” which was released on February 27 via Gravitas Ventures.
The movie was written and directed by Yara Estrada Lowe.
Aside form Mendez, it stars Liz Fenning and Crystal Hernandez. The supporting cast includes Morris Jude Martinez, Richard Rivera, Lucy Serrano, Caitlin Rose Williams and Lamar Alexander.
The synopsis is: Set in present day, Latino landscaper, Caleb Castillo (Carlo Mendez), leads a double life. He is entangled in a steamy affair with rising fashion star, Fiona Hernandez (Crystal Hernandez), while simultaneously devoted to his beautiful wife, Celine (Liz Fenning).
Celine wants a child with Caleb more than anything in the world.
As Fiona’s patience wears thin with Caleb’s promises to leave his wife, Celine discovers Caleb’s infidelity, and as a result, they break up.
Caleb and Fiona begin to forge a new life together, but Celine becomes obsessed with reclaiming what she believes is rightfully hers, including Caleb’s newborn son, Brody. It appears that she may just succeed.
Just when Celine thinks that she has achieved her devious goals, the film takes on multiple twists and turns that will leave viewers at the edge of their seats.
Mendez layers his emotions well as the complex Caleb, and his acting runs the gamut (he is emotional, charming, sentimental, and neurotic all in one). He is able to carry to this noir thriller on his shoulders well in a controlled performance that really captures Caleb’s conscience.
Mendez has solid chemistry with his female co-leads Crystal Hernandez and Liz Fenning. Hopefully, this is a harbinger that there will be more lead roles for Mendez in the future.
This love triangle is messy, and the movie lives up to its tagline where desire and obsession are one’s darkest secrets.
The Verdict
Overall, “Demise” is dark, edgy and an impressive new film starring Carlo Mendez. The screenplay by Yara Estrada Lowe is rich in character development, and everybody in the cast offers something distinct to the story.
“Demise” garners four out of five stars. Well done.