Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma Brings Chaotic Revenge Fantasy to Theaters This May—VOD Release June 2
Here’s a revenge fantasy born from real-life frustration: Scatena & Rosner Films has announced the North American release of Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma, writer-director Shane Brady’s star-studded horror comedy based on true events that happened to Brady and producer Emily Zercher. The film stars The Walking Dead alum Chandler Riggs as Florida’s most elusive hacker “The Chameleon,” alongside Owen Atlas (Little Evil), Richard Riehle (Office Space), Katelyn Nacon (The Walking Dead), and NHL Hall of Famer Phil Esposito. After winning Best Focus on Florida Feature Film at the Gasparilla International Film Festival and Best Comedy at the Dunedin International Film Festival, Hacked is set for a limited theatrical run this May followed by VOD and digital release on June 2, 2026.
The True Story Foundation
Hacked transforms personal catastrophe into communal catharsis.
The film is based on true events that happened to director Shane Brady and producer Emily Zercher, their actual experience with identity theft and financial devastation providing the rage that fuels the fantasy. The Rumble family’s dream of buying their first home turns into nightmare when Florida’s most elusive hacker steals their life savings.
“Hacked was born from the simple idea that sometimes getting screwed over can either break you or give you one hell of a story to tell,” Brady explains. “I make films to turn pain, chaos, and frustration into something communal, funny, and wildly entertaining.”
The bank fails them. The police can’t help. What started as financial tragedy spirals into fast-paced, darkly comedic adventure to reclaim their money and their dignity.
The Chaotic Style
The film’s energy apparently matches its revenge-fantasy premise.
“The energy around this film was undeniable,” notes Zach Stampone, Head of Acquisitions at Scatena & Rosner Films. “It’s insane, absurd, and incredibly fun, driven by rapid-fire editing and quick cuts that give it a chaotic, roller coaster pace.”
Riggs describes the experience from both sides of the camera: “This film is one of the WILDEST rides I’ve ever been on, both as an actor, and as an audience member. It’s a constant stream of insanity in the best way possible.”
The stylistic approach apparently serves the emotional truth beneath the comedy. The chaos on screen reflects the chaos of having your life savings stolen, the absurdity of systems that fail to protect victims, the rage that demands outlet.
Chandler Riggs as The Chameleon
Riggs brings Walking Dead credibility to the villain audiences will love to hate.
“I truly had the most fun getting to play Rob ‘The Chameleon’ Huberton,” Riggs says. The performance earned him Best Comedic Performance at the Dunedin International Film Festival, recognition that his departure from dramatic survival horror into chaotic comedy lands effectively.
The Chameleon apparently messed with the wrong family. Furious and desperate, the Rumbles plot revenge-fueled takedown of the hacker, determined to make him pay for every life he’s destroyed.
The Ensemble Cast
The supporting cast spans genre television veterans and unexpected additions.
Owen Atlas (Little Evil) plays a character who sets the chaos in motion. “Showcasing my MMA skills in the fight scene with Chandler was my favorite part,” Atlas notes. “He was such a good sport about the whole thing.”
Richard Riehle (Office Space) brings his particular everyman quality to the production.
Katelyn Nacon (The Walking Dead) reunites with Riggs in different genre territory.
Phil Esposito, NHL Hall of Famer and founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning, makes unexpected appearance that presumably delights hockey fans.
Additional cast includes Augie Duke (Mayans M.C.), Hugh Scott (Deadpool), Brittney Escalante (9-1-1: Lone Star), Glenn Stanton (Chicago Fire), and Mia Castillo (The Fairly Odd Parents: Fairly Odder).
The Festival Run
Hacked built momentum through festival recognition before distribution.
The world premiere at Gasparilla International Film Festival resulted in Best Focus on Florida Feature Film, the film’s Florida setting and production earning hometown recognition. Subsequent screenings at Popcorn Frights Film Festival, FilmQuest, Chattanooga Film Festival, Celluloid Screams, Soho Horror Film Festival, and Dunedin International Film Festival expanded its audience.
Dunedin delivered dual honors: Best Comedy – Feature Film and Best Comedic Performance for Riggs. The recognition validated the approach, confirming that the chaos translates to audiences beyond those who lived the original nightmare.
The Production
Hacked was produced by Emily Zercher and Shane Brady under their production company Spooky Feet Films. Executive producers include Rhondda Stark-Atlas, Jodi Thompson, and Bryan Thompson.
Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Evan Zissimopulos provides the visual approach. Music comes from Chris Dudley of rock band Underoath, alongside Kid Baron and Hey Duke You Suck!, the Underoath connection giving the film additional music credibility.
The film prominently features charities NMDP, a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, and TSC Alliance, dedicated to tuberous sclerosis research and support.
The Cathartic Mission
Producer Emily Zercher articulates what the film aims to provide.
“Hacked is for everyone who’s taken a hit, swallowed their rage, and kept going anyway. Our goal was to capture the American Dream going completely off the rails and exploding into a wild ride of humiliation, hilarity, and ultimate revenge.”
The approach transforms what can’t be done legally into cinematic release. “We took the fantasies you can’t legally act on in real life and turned them into cathartic cinematic chaos.”
Brady frames the ultimate purpose: “At the end of the day, this is why I make films: to make people feel seen, let them laugh through the madness, and remind them they’re not alone in it.”
Who Should Watch
If you’ve ever been scammed or hacked: The film apparently provides the revenge fantasy that real-life systems deny.
If chaotic horror comedies appeal: The rapid-fire editing and absurdist tone create the roller coaster the distributor promises.
If Walking Dead alumni interest you: Riggs and Nacon reunite in wildly different genre territory.
If true-story foundations add investment: Knowing Brady and Zercher actually lived the inciting nightmare adds stakes to the fantasy.
If you appreciate Florida-set chaos: The Gasparilla recognition confirms the film captures its setting authentically.
May Theaters, June 2 Everywhere
Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage Fueled Karma holds a limited theatrical run this May, followed by VOD and digital release on June 2, 2026.
Based on true events. The American Dream going completely off the rails. A family taking revenge the legal system won’t provide. Chandler Riggs as the hacker who messed with the wrong people.
Revenge has never been this much fun.
June 2. The chaos arrives.
