The Plan
THE PLAN
a film by jessica Barr
A GROUP OF DISILLUSIONED YOUNG ADULTS PREPARES FOR A RADICAL ACT THEY BELIEVE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.
Shot in a single, uninterrupted take, The Plan is a pressure-cooker thriller that morphs into a pitch-black comedy about the absurdity of idealism in a fractured world — and what happens when the people who want to change everything can’t even agree on what they’re fighting for.
THE CAST
Ryan Simpkins as Evan
An-Li Bogan as Mads
Eve Lindley as Emily
Jordan Hull as Taylor
Arkira Chantaratananond as Sasha
Percy Hynes White as Liam
Logan Miller as Toby
Frank Mosley as Lucas
DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER
A multi-hyphenate filmmaker raised in Portland, Oregon; Jessica Barr's work often explores loss and coming of age. She's known for stirring and cerebral stories - grounded in naturalism. Sophie Jones, a feature that Barr wrote, produced and starred in premiered at the 2020 Deauville Film Festival. The film screened at numerous other festivals before being acquired by Oscilloscope Laboratories with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Her short film Tight had its world premiere at SXSW in 2024 and was listed as a top 10 best film to see by Harper's Bazaar. It premiered online as a Vimeo Staff Pick. Her short drama Private Moments premiered last year on Director’s Notes.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Many in my generation are disillusioned with the systems we’ve inherited. We’re angry, scared, and overwhelmed, and in the moments where rational thinking is needed most, we often instead turn toward absolutism and hatred.
The Plan is about that paralysis and what happens when fear guides action instead of hope. It reflects the frustration and helplessness many of us feel living in this country, and the people I grew up with. It’s my critique of modern liberalism. Even with common goals, progress often collapses from infighting, ego, and mistrust.
The Plan asks what it would take to truly unite, and what happens if we cannot.
Alexander Spenser Gould is a producer and line producer with a wide range of experience across commercial, documentary, and feature filmmaking.
He has produced work for major brands including his Telly Award winning campaign for AT&T. In 2025, he was part of the production team behind SEAN COMBS: THE RECKONING which aired on Netflix, and was the line producer on a new five episode tv show, OCEAN PARKWAY, Executive Produced by Influence Media. His latest feature documentary, LET NO ONE LOSE HEART, is currently in post-production and his narrative feature, THE PLAN, written & directed by Jessica Barr, is set to premiere at Slamdance Film Festival in 2026.
Alexander spenser gould
PRODUCER
Sarah Whelden’s cinematography aims to capture the emotional tonalities that fall beyond the limited scope of human language, serving story above all else.
Her 2025 saw the premiere of the magical realism relationship drama MAGIC HOUR at SXSW, the anti-romcom SWEET TALKIN' GUY at Sundance Film Festival, and the short drama SAFE at Slamdance Film Festival, among others. She is excited to be returning to SLAMDANCE in 2026 with the one-take thriller THE PLAN.
Recent accolades include 2025 Rising Star of Cinematography by the ASC and American Cinematographer Magazine, and first place in Women in Media’s prestigious 2025 Altitude Awards.
Sarah Whelden
PRODUCER, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Kelly Wilcox is drawn to narratives centered on characters living on the fringe of society. Her work has screened at renowned festivals including SXSW, Slamdance, Atlanta Film Festival, Fantasia and more.
She produced and designed the feminist revenge thriller TIGHT (dir. Jessica Barr), which premiered in competition at SXSW 24' and was named one of Harper’s Bazaar’s top 10 films to see. The film later received a Vimeo Staff Pick. Her second collaboration with Jessica Barr, THE PLAN, premiered in narrative competition at Slamdance 2026.
Most recently, she had two shorts premiere in narrative competition at SXSW 26,' as well as the Duplass Brothers Productions feature THEIR TOWN (dir. Katie Aselton), a YA romance.
Kelly WILCOX
PRODUCER, PRODUCTION DESIGNER
THE PLAN
written & directed by JESSICA BARR
story by JESSICA BARR, SARAH WHELDEN & KELLY WILCOX
produced by ALEXANDER SPENSER GOULD, JESSICA BARR, SARAH WHELDEN & KELLY WILCOX
executive producers KATHERINE ROMANS, CHARLIE TRAISMAN, MARIAH LEATH & RYAN WARD
director of photography SARAH WHELDEN
production designer KELLY WILCOX
original score by MEL GUERISON
MADHOUSE FILMS and DISTANT FILMS
in association with FIRESTARTER PRODUCTIONS
presents a film by JESSICA BARR
MADHOUSE FILMS is a femme-led production house committed to bringing untold dreams into vivid reality.
DISTANT FILMS is a production company focusing on raw independent films which tap into the pulse of society and highlight boldly personal stories.
SCREENINGS
FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL 2026 | Friday, April 11 at 3:45pm (EDT) Enzian Theater & Saturday, April 17 at 4:15pm (EDT) Regal Winter Park Village - Purchase Tickets
SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2026 | Sunday, February 22 at 8:00pm (PST) DGA Theater & Wednesday, February 25 at 2:45pm (PST) Landmark Theater - SOLD OUT
PRESS
Eve Lindley, Ryan Simpkins, Percy Hynes White & More Set for One-Take Thriller - Deadline
Slamdance Festival Reveals 2026 Lineup, It’s Second In Los Angeles - IndieWire
Slamdance 2026 Interview: Jessica Barr, Sarah Whelden, Kelly Wilcox - Moveable Fest
Slamdance 2026: Jessica Barr and Ryan Simpkins on their stunning single-take film, “The Plan” - Cinemafemme
Slamdance ‘26: Writer/Director Jessica Barr Talks Millennial Frustration in “The Plan” - beyond the Cinerama dome
Slamdance ‘26’: “The Plan” is an All-Out Pressure Cooker - beyond the Cinerama dome
Jessica Barr and Sarah Whelden on making a film with no way out in “The Plan” - We Need To Talk About Oscar
The Plan (Slamdance Film Festival 2026) Review - The Geek Show
Back To One Podcast: Guest Jordan Hull | Episode 386 - Back To One Podcast
Florida Film Festival Announces 2026 Lineup - Deadline
Lower East Side Film Festival 2026 Announcement - Indiewire
Get in Touch
general inquiry
jessica barr
jessbarrpdx@gmail.com
