Director Addison Heimann, known for Hypochondriac, has crafted one of the most uniquely bizarre and uproarious films of the year, titled Touch Me. This psychosexual horror-comedy features a talented cast including Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, and Paget Brewster. Touch Me is set to debut on January 28 at 10:15 p.m. MT at The Ray Theatre, as a highlight of Sundance 2025?s Midnight Section.
The official synopsis describes Touch Me as follows: after a string of unfortunate events renders their home unlivable and filled with an unpleasant odor, two codependent friends, Joey and Craig, find themselves without a place to stay. Just when things seem bleak, Joey?s enigmatic ex-boyfriend reappears, eager to rekindle their romance. Brian, his name, is not only strikingly attractive but also an alien whose touch alleviates anxiety and depression. Hoping to confront their past traumas, the duo embarks on a weekend at his compound, unaware of the dark, murderous intentions lurking beneath Brian?s façade of healing. Touch Me explores the complexity of co-dependent friendships and the lengths we go to in pursuit of happiness.
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Tyler Treese: Congratulations on potentially creating the first film featuring a werewolf dildo monster.
Addison Heimann: Thank you!
The humor in Touch Me is remarkably unique. Can you elaborate on how you found this tone? I was consistently surprised and thoroughly entertained throughout the film.
I appreciate that! Honestly, the distinct humor stems from my own tumultuous childhood experiences and my perspective on individuals grappling with mental health challenges, particularly OCD. For those of us who experience this, embracing a morbid sense of humor is often the best coping strategy. Additionally, this film serves as a tribute to the audacious pink films of the 1970s and the vibrant world of Japanese cinema. These films are characterized by their outrageous narratives, vivid colors, intense fight sequences, and bizarre sexual themes?all elements I wanted to incorporate.
My fascination with this genre ignited when I began studying the Japanese language five years ago. I sought to blend my admiration for that cinematic era with my own quirky sense of humor and personal battles with mental health, leading to the creation of Touch Me.
You mentioned the unconventional sexual content. What was your approach to filming the cross-species intercourse scenes? How do you prepare for such unusual situations involving tentacles?
The technical aspects of filming sexual scenes, particularly alien encounters, can be surprisingly intricate. Given that we relied on practical effects, the production required a collaborative effort. We had a skilled rigger who assisted in lifting Olivia and Jordan into the air while tentacles surrounded them. I wish we had behind-the-scenes footage to share! The setup involved a camera crew working alongside individuals controlling puppet tentacles, all while my talented actress Olivia delivered an enthusiastic performance of euphoria with an alien.
We were fortunate to have an exceptional intimacy coordinator, Sasha Smith, who ensured that we balanced safety with sensuality during these scenes. Everyone was focused on making sure the camera angles were perfect while treating the situation with the utmost respect. The magic truly happened in the editing room as we pieced everything together.
Olivia Taylor Dudley plays the lead in Touch Me, pushing boundaries in her performance. How did you convince her to embrace this role? Were you surprised by her willingness to go all in for every scene?
Olivia’s journey to this role was quite intriguing. Initially, I had another actress in mind, but she had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict. With just a month before filming began, my producer Dave suggested we reach out to Olivia, believing she would appreciate the film’s eccentricity. He texted her, asking if she liked the weird and technical aspects of sex in film, and she responded with enthusiasm, requesting the script.
After reading it, we met within an hour, despite being strangers. We quickly formed a bond over our shared experiences with OCD, and after an engaging conversation, I asked if she wanted to join the project. She enthusiastically agreed, went off to shoot another film, and returned ready to dive into her role. Remarkably, her first take of the opening monologue?lasting eight minutes?was captured on the very first day of shooting. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.
Olivia also served as an executive producer for the film, which was crucial given the nature of the project. I wanted to ensure she had creative input, agency, and control over the film’s direction, especially since her performance was pivotal in bringing the story to life. She played an instrumental role throughout the shooting and editing processes, helping shape the film’s overall vision.
I’m glad you mentioned the opening scene in Touch Me. Olivia shares a lengthy story about an alien encounter, captured in a single, immersive shot. What motivated you to start the film this way? It really drew me in, showcasing her impressive performance and storytelling skills.
Thank you for noticing! There are countless ways that could have gone awry, but I was committed to this approach. Some were skeptical, asking if I was certain it would work, and my response was always a confident yes. This film is a series of bold creative choices, and I wanted to begin with something arresting. I was inspired by a monologue in the film Resurrection starring Rebecca Hall, where a character delivers a captivating story in a single uninterrupted take. It was one of the most compelling moments I had ever witnessed in cinema, and I aimed to replicate that feeling right from the start.
Initially, I intended to create a sense of unreality that would later reveal itself as genuine. However, with the premise involving aliens, it became clear to me that audiences would expect a tangible alien encounter. Ultimately, Olivia’s performance was essential in making that opening monologue impactful, and it set the stage perfectly for the wild journey that follows.
It’s fascinating to see the connection to Resurrection. I appreciate how you draw inspiration from other films. Speaking of inspiration, what led you to depict aliens wearing tracksuits?
I wish I could say there was a profound backstory to that choice, but ultimately, I just found it amusing. I could create an elaborate narrative about an alien friend who wore tracksuits and danced hip-hop, but the truth is, I thought it would be funny. Brian, our alien character, embodies the essence of trying to blend in with humanity, which manifests in his collection of colorful tracksuits and love for chicken tenders and fries. This childlike persona is central to his character and adds to the overall humor of the film.
I love the humor surrounding his tracksuit collection! What inspired the creation of Touch Me? Was there a specific interest in aliens, or did something else spark this wonderfully bizarre idea?
My inspiration for Touch Me originated during a period of deep depression while watching a film called The Untamed, which features an alien that people seek out. I found myself longing for a similar experience, believing it could alleviate my own sadness. During this time, my fascination with 1970s cinema grew, especially as I immersed myself in learning Japanese. I wanted to explore themes of mental illness while crafting a wild, tentacle-filled alien sex comedy that would provoke laughter and reflection.
While developing the character, I was navigating a painful friendship breakup?something rarely discussed but deeply impactful. I aimed to create a film that addressed mental health issues while simultaneously being an entertaining romp, inviting audiences to laugh, think, and embark on a thrilling adventure filled with unexpected twists.
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You’ve touched on themes of trauma and your journey in Japanese culture. With both films you’ve written and directed, how does it feel to share such personal experiences with the world? It must take a lot of courage.
Absolutely! Growing up, I struggled to articulate my experiences, but over time, I became more open about them. I believe art possesses a unique ability to foster community, and I found that creating my first film was incredibly rewarding and therapeutic. It chronicled my mental breakdown and sparked conversations with others who shared their own stories, allowing us to connect and feel less isolated.
If I can serve as a conduit for discussing mental health, it feels worthwhile, even if it?s daunting. My goal is to present these experiences in a way that’s relatable and entertaining, whether it elicits laughter, tears, or even discomfort. The connections I’ve formed through this film, especially with others who experience OCD, are meaningful to me, as this disorder often remains invisible and difficult to communicate.
One of my favorite moments in Touch Me features a flashback presented as a silent film, depicting a character on Grindr. What inspired that particular aesthetic choice?
I’m glad you enjoyed that scene! It was a creative decision rooted in homage to classic Universal Monster movies and Japanese monster films like Godzilla, made more contemporary by targeting a modern context. We faced the challenge of incorporating smartphones into a black-and-white sequence, and I suggested presenting Grindr notifications as silent film intertitles. The idea struck everyone as hilarious, and I hoped it would resonate with the audience. Ultimately, the sequence balances nostalgia with humor, and I believe it adds to the film’s charm.
Finally, what does it mean to you to showcase Touch Me at Sundance, especially given the festival’s celebration of unique and innovative films?
It’s an indescribable feeling of euphoria. Getting into Sundance was a surreal experience?there’s a part of me that felt it was a long shot. It?s not every day that filmmakers like me get to present their quirky stories on such a prestigious platform. The programmers’ acceptance of this unconventional narrative was unexpected and exhilarating. I feel a deep gratitude for their recognition, as it validates the risks I took in creating such a bold film. This opportunity is a significant milestone for me, and I?m excited for what lies ahead.
Thank you, Addison Heimann, for sharing your insights about Touch Me. For more details, visit Sundance?s official website.
