Crypto Chaos and Comedy Collide in Trailer For $POSITIONS
Dark Star Pictures just dropped the official trailer for $POSITIONS, and this thing looks like pure cinematic chaos. It’s a crypto thriller wrapped in a wacky, anxiety-fueled comedy, and it’s aiming straight at anyone who’s ever thought about risking it all on a “sure thing” investment.
The film made its debut at the SXSW Film Festival 2025 and continued making the rounds at Fantasia, Chicago Underground, and other festivals, building a reputation as something unpredictable and kind of unhinged.
Now it’s finally gearing up for a wider release, and the trailer gives us a taste of just how intense and ridiculous this ride gets.
At the center of the story is Mike Alvarado, played by Michael Kunicki, a blue-collar Midwesterner just trying to pull his family out of financial struggle. His plan? Go all-in on speculative cryptocurrency.
You can probably guess how that goes. What starts as a desperate attempt to get ahead quickly spirals into something much darker as his investing turns into a full-blown gambling addiction.
As things unravel, Mike’s personal life takes a hit. His relationships with his girlfriend, his developmentally disabled brother, and his recovering addict cousin all begin to fracture as his obsession deepens. The film leans hard into that chaos.
The cast also includes Trevor Dawkins and Kaylyn Carter, but one of the coolest elements here is the introduction of Vinny Kress, an aspiring actor from Chicago with Down syndrome, making his feature debut in a leading role. That alone brings a fresh and meaningful layer to the film.
Tonally, $POSITIONS sounds like it’s pulling from some wild influences. It’s been compared to the frantic energy of Uncut Gems, mixed with the offbeat, anything-goes comedy style of Tom Green and the Farrelly Brothers.
The film is written and directed by Brandon Daley, marking his feature debut after a run of short films. Dark Star Pictures has started rolling $POSITIONS out in select U.S. theaters, and on VOD.
If you’re into movies that feel like a panic attack mixed with absurd comedy and a dash of real-world financial dread, this one might be worth keeping on your radar.