Fantastic Fest, the country's premier genre film festival, is gearing up for its 21st edition, and the excitement is already palpable. Last year's milestone anniversary brought a stellar mix of blockbusters and indie gems, and this year promises to be just as thrilling. As part of our exclusive preview series, we're thrilled to debut a fresh image from one of the fest's most anticipated titles: Into the Sky, a sci-fi comedy starring Emmy winner Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso).
Richardson, known for his comedic chops in Detroiters and Veep, takes on the role of Bobby, a man whose life has been turned upside down by extraterrestrial encounters. The story kicks off with Bobby waking up stark naked on a North Carolina golf course, covered in mysterious blue goo, far from his upstate New York home. But this isn't a one-time mishap—over the past year, he's been repeatedly snatched by aliens, and the strain has shattered his marriage.
In the midst of his bizarre predicament, Bobby crosses paths with Nico, a woman renting his home while dealing with her own chaos as the planner of her brother's wedding. The two form an unlikely alliance: she'll help him reconnect with his estranged wife, and he'll assist her with the wedding preparations. But just when things seem to be looking up, another abduction survivor—someone who's been dealing with alien encounters for five years—shows up, sending Bobby's life into even more unpredictable territory.
Our exclusive image captures a tense moment at what appears to be Nico's brother's wedding. Bobby's face is a mix of terror and bewilderment as he gazes upward into darkened skies, clearly signaling that his otherworldly tormentors have returned. The absence of a visible spacecraft only adds to the dread, leaving viewers to imagine the unseen menace.
What sets Into the Sky apart from typical alien abduction fare is its emotional core. The film is described as a cosmic mystery that evolves into a heartfelt romance, focusing on Bobby's determination to repair his relationship with the love of his life while battling forces beyond his control. This time, an abduction might tear him away from his new friend at the worst possible moment.
Directing duo Drew Mylrea and Evan Wolf Buxbaum are making their feature debut with this project, having previously worked together on the TV series Small Town, Big Story. Mylrea's background includes directing the survival thriller Last Survivors with Alicia Silverstone, while Buxbaum brings production expertise. The cast is rounded out by comedic and dramatic talents like David Cross, Sofia Black-D'Elia, and Arturo Castro.
Into the Sky will have its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, running from September 17–24 at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas. For more on the festival's lineup, check out our Fantastic Fest 2026 preview. And if you're a fan of Richardson's work, you might enjoy our ranking of Ted Lasso characters. Stay tuned for more exclusive looks as the festival approaches.
