Byron Allen’s Freestyle Digital Media acquires ‘A Bloody Mess’ for September theatrical release
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The dark comedy mockumentary will begin a limited theatrical run Sept. 18 before arriving on North American VOD platforms this fall.
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of VOD rights to the dark comedy feature “A Bloody Mess,” which will be launched in a limited theatrical release starting September 18, 2026 at select theaters in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.
Additionally, a Q&A with filmmaker Daniel Hayden and star Sydney O’Toole will be hosted at Laemmle Glendale on September 14, 2026.
A digital release will follow, making “A Bloody Mess” available on North American HD internet, DVD, cable, and satellite platforms starting fall 2026.
A darkly comic mockumentary satire, “A Bloody Mess” chronicles the efforts of documentarian Violet Blank as she investigates a decades-old catastrophe in a small Texas town. In 2002, Split Springs, TX, was rocked by an explosion at a manure storage facility, flooding the streets with poop. Nearly every citizen was forced to flee their homes, while the rest of the country looked on and laughed, viewing the tragedy as nothing more than a joke. Twenty-five years later, Violet, along with her trusty crew, is determined to uncover the truth surrounding this life-altering event and find the mysterious man she believes to be truly responsible. A man who hasn’t been seen or heard from in years. As she moves through interview after interview, none of them offering her the answers she needs, her efforts become less and less ethical—until they ultimately become dangerous.
Written and directed by Daniel Hayden, “A Bloody Mess” was produced by Hayden and Sydney O’Toole. Featured actors include: Sydney O’Toole (‘Violet Blank’), Mary Birdsong (‘Elaine Blair’), Anna Bezahler (‘Drew Taylor’), Dhruv Uday Singh (‘Brian Paxton’), James Werner (‘Eugene Warren’), Jim Woods (‘Ted Cower’), Cameron Kelly (‘Melissa Albright’), Casey Feigh (‘Aaron Albright’) and Matt O’Toole (‘Benjamin Darling’).
“‘A BLOODY MESS’ is a comic, satirical examination of the pain that follows in the wake of abuse,” said filmmaker Daniel Hayden. “Our protagonist, Violet, is driven by that pain, making her feel justified doing what she does, but she doesn’t understand that punishing her abuser won’t help her heal. It can only cause more pain, more destruction. So, if we decide it’s up to us to dole out justice, then all we’re going to do is make a bloody mess.”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated a deal to acquire “A Bloody Mess” directly with the filmmakers and Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films. The film initially premiered and was acquired at Dances With Films.