The Oak Room boasts a spectacular setup worthy of an old-school western, but with more snow. On a dark and stormy night somewhere in the Canadian boonies, Paul (Peter Outerbridge), a local taverner, has just closed up shop for the night. He is busy counting the day’s tally and tidying up when a mysterious hooded figure blows in from the blizzard outside. Despite Paul’s declaration that the bar is closed, the hooded figure advances into the bar.
This strange hooded figure is about to encounter the business end of Paul’s baseball bat when it is revealed to be the long-lost Steve (RJ Mitte), a young man who deserted the town several years ago. Steve has ostensibly returned to collect his deceased father’s ashes that Paul has been keeping safe since the funeral, which Steve couldn’t be bothered to attend.
This is not a pleasant reunion, however, with hugs and trips down memory lane. Steve’s sudden and unexpected arrival has reignited an old and bitter beef between himself, Paul, and a shady and violent man named Stelli, whom Paul has informed that Steve has resurfaced and is presently at his tavern.
But Steve surprises Paul by presenting him with a gift of his own. It’s not the bounty of cash that Steve apparently owes to Paul and Stelli, but something more intangible. “I’ve got something better than cash,” Steve tells Paul. Paul assumes that Steve is presenting him with guns, drugs, and booze. But Steve looks Paul dead in the eye and says, “I’ve got a story.”
The Oak Room is a 2020 Canadian thriller film directed by Cody Calahan and starring RJ Mitte, Peter Outerbridge, Ari Millen, Martin Roach, David Ferry, Nicholas Campbell, Amos Crawley, Avery Esteves, Coal Campbell and Adam Seybold. It is based on Peter Genoway’s play of the same name.
The Oak Room (2021)
Directed by: Cody Calahan
Starring: RJ Mitte, Peter Outerbridge, Ari Millen, Martin Roach, David Ferry, Nicholas Campbell, Amos Crawley, Avery Esteves, Coal Campbell, Adam Seybold
Screenplay by: Peter Genoway
Production Design by: Justin Reu
Cinematography by: Jeff Maher
Film Editing by: Mike Gallant
Costume Design by: Lyndsay Reader
Art Direction by: Vincent Moskowec
Music by: Steph Copeland
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Gravitas Ventures
Release Date: August 2020 (Fantasia), April 2, 2021 (United States)
Visits: 22
