By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The perils of Tinder are nothing compared to what happens in RENT-A-PAL, coming this fall.
IFC Midnight has announced its acquisition of North American rights to the film, for which it has scheduled a September 2020 release. Written and directed by Jon Stevenson and inspired by the real-life VHS tape RENT-A-FRIEND: THE ORIGINAL VIDEO COMPANION, it stars Brian Landis Folkins, Wil Wheaton (STAND BY ME, THE CURSE), Kathleen Brady and Amy Rutledge. The synopsis: “In 1990, a lonely bachelor named David [Folkins] searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother [Brady]. While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-A-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy [Wheaton], the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion and friendship. But Andy’s friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission.”
“It’s an honor to have my directorial debut released on IFC Midnight,” Stevenson says. “Their history of high-quality genre entertainment has directly inspired my work. To now be a part of their rich film library is surreal. I look forward to working with their team in releasing RENT-A-PAL. This movie is near and dear to my heart and I’m truly excited for the world to see it. And for the world to see a very different side of Wil Wheaton.”