Four Horsemen Films, in association with Dystopian Films, proudly announces the upcoming psychological thriller “Kill Me I’m Irish,” written and directed by Simon Phillips. Currently in production and set for worldwide theatrical release in 2026, the film dives headfirst into the shadows that lurk beneath one of the world’s most jubilant holidays—St. Patrick’s Day.
Blending the adrenaline of a crime thriller with the slow-burn dread of psychological horror, Kill Me I’m Irish tells a chilling and emotionally charged story of guilt, obsession, and twisted justice set against the neon-lit, shamrock-covered streets of New York City.
A Holiday Shrouded in Fear
The story centers on Detective Michaels (Nick Biskupek), a burned-out NYPD investigator who’s spent the past six years trying to track a serial killer preying exclusively on Irish women. When a new victim surfaces during the city’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Michaels is forced to team up with rookie Officer Rodriguez (Sienna Star) in a final, desperate attempt to stop the murderer before he claims his seventh victim—played by Shayna Burns.
As the green confetti rains down and thousands party in the streets, a predator moves silently among them—camouflaged by tradition, celebration, and chaos.
A Killer Reimagining of the Genre
Writer-director Simon Phillips, who also plays the film’s antagonist, aims to subvert traditional serial killer tropes by injecting deeply personal and cultural themes into the suspense.
“‘Kill Me I’m Irish’ starts as a gritty police procedural, but as the layers unfold, it becomes something more introspective,” Phillips explains. “It’s about the masks we wear—culturally, emotionally, and literally. We use the vibrant backdrop of the holiday as a double-edged sword: what’s meant to unify and celebrate identity can also be a disguise for darkness.”
Born in Ireland, Phillips draws on personal and cultural resonance to bring a new perspective to the thriller genre. “We’re not just telling a story of murder,” he continues, “we’re telling a story about what happens when faith, identity, and guilt all collide in a man’s search for redemption.”
A Special Appearance by Douglas Vermeeren
Adding even more intrigue to the film is a special guest appearance by rising star Douglas Vermeeren, who plays FBI Agent Walker, a federal profiler reluctantly pulled into the NYPD’s increasingly chaotic investigation.
Vermeeren is a regular subject of attention in Indie Wrap, which has been following his career for several years, Vermeeren has become known for his ability to deliver emotionally charged, tightly wound performances in intense genre films.
Audiences will recognize him from his recent performance in Mafia Spies, a doc-series on Paramount plus based on the true story how the CIA teamed up with the mob to assassinate Fidel Castro. Black Creek, the Cynthia Rothrock western action film now trending on streaming services everywhere. And in the upcoming “John Wick Style – Western” Cowboy Bloodbath, where Vermeeren portrays a bounty hunter who leaves carnage in his wake wherever he goes.
In Kill Me I’m Irish, Vermeeren’s portrayal of Agent Walker adds an additional layer of tension and urgency to the film’s central manhunt. Though his role is limited in screen time, it’s pivotal to the narrative, offering insights that challenge Detective Michaels’ assumptions and push the investigation—and the detective himself—into darker territory.
A Cast That Grounds the Terror
The ensemble cast of Kill Me I’m Irish features a dynamic blend of rising stars and seasoned performers who bring emotional weight to the film’s chilling subject matter:
- Nick Biskupek as the tormented Detective Michaels
- Sienna Star as Officer Rodriguez, a rookie with resolve beyond her years
- Shayna Burns as a potential victim drawn into the killer’s web
- Simon Phillips as the enigmatic and terrifying killer
- Douglas Vermeeren as FBI Agent Walker
- Supporting performances by Sean Irvine, Michael Vassi, Nathan Yee, Zeus Fleming, Damir Kovic, Skylar Nangreaves and Simon Phillips.
Each actor delivers a grounded, human performance that enhances the script’s deeper themes of trauma, heritage, justice and some unexpected twists.
Crafted with Precision and Passion
Behind the camera, the film is shaped by Director of Photography and Co-Producer Adam Kirkey, whose visual storytelling adds layers of tension and unease to every frame.
“Working with Simon has been creatively liberating,” Kirkey said. “He’s created a space where we can push boundaries with light and shadow, using the chaos of a city celebration to mirror the inner chaos of the characters. It’s rare to have that kind of artistic trust on a thriller like this.”
The film’s look is as psychologically layered as its story—alternating between saturated greens and sickly yellows, casting everyday scenes in an eerie, unshakable tone.
At its core, Kill Me I’m Irish is about identity—cultural, personal, and spiritual. Detective Michaels’ Irish-American roots and religious guilt weigh heavily on him as the case spirals. His struggle with faith and failure mirrors the killer’s own warped ideology, creating a philosophical undercurrent to the chase.
“This isn’t just about catching a killer,” says Phillips. “It’s about facing the parts of ourselves we hide. The parts we celebrate in public and wrestle with in private. St. Patrick’s Day becomes a metaphor for the double lives we live—joy and sorrow, tradition and violence, light and shadow.”
This seasoned team ensures that the film not only reaches its artistic ambitions but also delivers a commercially viable cinematic experience that resonates with global audiences.
Coming to Theaters in 2026
Kill Me I’m Irish will be released worldwide by Dystopian Films Ltd., a distributor known for championing bold, thought-provoking genre films. With a release slated for 2026, the film is already attracting early attention from international festivals and thriller fans eager for a fresh take on the crime-horror hybrid.
About Four Horsemen Films
Four Horsemen Films is a boutique production company focused on crafting character-driven, visually arresting genre films that challenge convention and elevate storytelling. With a reputation for pushing narrative boundaries in thrillers, horror, and suspense, Four Horsemen continues to carve out its place in the independent film landscape.
A Thrilling Descent Into the Darkness of Identity
With a sharp script, a haunting score, powerful performances, and timely themes, Kill Me I’m Irish promises to be much more than a slasher or crime story. It’s a meditation on belief, guilt, and the fragile narratives we build around who we are—and who we fear becoming.
Whether you’re drawn by the suspense, the cultural commentary, or the layered performances this is one 2026 release you won’t want to miss.
