Two women with surprised expressions in front of neon sign reading 'Show and Tell'. — Sarah (Jessika Van) and Molly (Courtney Pouroso) receive some unfortunate marketing data in *Grind* (2026)

Intensity: 🩸🩸 out of 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸
Directed by: Brea Grant , Ed Dougherty, and Chelsea Stardust
Written by: Brea Grant and Ed Dougherty

Does working in today’s economy feel like you are on a treadmill that is getting too fast for you? Has your job killed your dreams? Employment in the modern world can be… a Grind. Grind is a timely anthology that is neatly stitches together how working for Mega-Corporations (TM) can erode your sense of being and may cost you more than a diminished paycheck. If you ever thought “This job is gonna kill me.” Grind will resonate with you.

In a world where gas prices soar past $4.00 per gallon and groceries routinely cost more than $150 per visit, just having a job might not cut it. A minimum wage job isn’t going to pay the bills. Hell, even a white collar professional job might not cover the costs. This is an environment where a paying second side hustle may be necessary. Maybe you need to use your car to be an Uber driver. Or, perhaps you need a side marketing hustle. Perhaps you just need to hang in there a little longer with your primary job in hopes of being promoted to something greater. These are the traps that Grind examines.

This anthology is the brainchild of Brea Grant and Ed Dougherty. Dougherty is a veteran music video director, and Grant is a star actress who has transitioned into a powerhouse indie horror director. (Torn Hearts, 12 Hour Shift, Lucky) Chelsea Stardust is an emerging young director who already has a cult classic feature to her credit. (Satanic Panic) Both Stardust and Grant are featured in my 32 Important Women Horror Directors You Should Know Deadlist. The trio have tapped into something timely and resonant. Horror in the workplace never felt so present.

Here in Portland, with skyrocketing housing prices, a wavering job market, and a general economic malaise, this movie seems to have been channelled for us. Appropriately, the Portland Horror Film Festival featured Grind as one of its featured presentations.

The directing trio: Brea Grant, Chelsea Stardust, and Ed Dougherty

Directors’ Statement:

People all over the world are waking up.

The current state of things as we see it — the average American is suffering while billionaires line their pockets, driving income inequality to a level not seen since the 18th century. Workplace safety is declining, worker exploitation is rising, and wage theft is rampant.

Things are bad but people are realizing it. The public’s approval rate of unions is higher than ever — not just in our industry but industries around the country. From hotels to coffee shops to Waffle Houses, workers are fighting for their rights– often against harsh union busting reprisals. This is a historic moment of anger and fear, and these topics are what everyone’s talking about…

…And thus it’s the perfect theme for a horror film. We want to tackle this subject in a fun, scary way that will provide a cathartic release for audiences everywhere.

This is a film for anyone who’s ever hated their job, had a bad boss, or felt taken advantage of at work. In other words, it’s a film for all of us.

GRIND is a WIP. Sound is final. VFX and color are not (which you will definitely notice).

Warehouse Wonders

Directed by Chelsea Stardust
Starring: Mercedes Mason as Maria, James A. Janisse as Justin

Maria is a DRGN warehouse employee who is racing through the aisles to retrieve a ring light for an expedited delivery order. Time runs out on her search, and she gets transferred to “Special Gifts.” It’s neither a gift, nor special. This is the opening wraparound connective segment for the anthology. We follow the package to the next segment…

Woman in safety vest in dark warehouse for The Scariest Things. — Maria (Mercedes Mason) discovers something ominous within the DRGN warehouse in Grind (2026)

Intensity: 🩸🩸 out of 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸Directed by: Brea Grant , Ed Dougherty, and Chelsea Stardust Written by: Brea Grant and Ed Dougherty

Directors’ Statement:

Warehouse Wonders

MLM

Intensity: 🩸🩸 out of 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸
Directed by: Brea Grant , Ed Dougherty, and Chelsea Stardust
Written by: Brea Grant and Ed Dougherty