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Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea 2023

Movie · 89 min · English · November 18, 2023

Black comedy Comedy horror Crime thriller

Directed by Tony OlmosWritten by Brian Patrick Butler

Starring Kimberly Weinberger, Brian Patrick Butler, Aimee La Joie, Randy Davison, Merrick McCartha

A 2023 American satirical comedy horror film, Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea was directed by Tony Olmos and written by Brian Patrick Butler. Tony Olmos also stars in the ensemble cast alongside Kimberly Weinberger, Aimee La Joie, Randy Davison, Merrick McCartha, and Nick Young. The movie was produced by Olmos and Butler through their production companies Rosewood Five and Charybdis Pictures. It depicts tenants struggling against a fascist landlord.

Set in a fictional dystopian setting within Riverside County, California, the film was shot in San Diego County using a small budget in 2021. Themes include capitalism and fairy tales, merged with slasher and zombie apocalypse elements. The movie debuted in 2023 at Digital Gym Cinema during San Diego Film Week, followed by screenings at both the Oceanside International Film Festival and Hemet Film Festival in 2024. It became available via video on demand on November 26, 2024, distributed by BayView Entertainment.

Critics offered mixed reviews, recognizing it as a political satire. Some praised its originality, humor, visual effects, and acting by Weinberger and Butler, while others criticized its pacing, dialogue, and character development. Butler earned nominations in acting, screenwriting, and editing at the 13th Oceanside International Film Festival.