Directed by Matt Walsh, a co-founding member of world-renowned comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade, High Road showcases a totally improvised script about Glenn “Fitz” Fitzgerald (James Pumphrey), a young man whose loyalties are split among his band, his girlfriend Monica(Abby Elliottt) and selling drugs. After his band breaks up, Fitz finds himself dealing drugs out of his garage and bonding with 16-year-old neighborhood kid Jimmy (Dylan O’Brien). As his former band mates (Zach Woods, Matt L. Jones, Lizzy Caplan) begin finding success and one of his drug deals goes awry, Fitz hits the road with Jimmy. Amid car chases, guns, broken bones, sassy cabbies and a suspicious doctor (Horatio Sanz), Fitz has to navigate their way to safe harbor--and he doesn’t even know about the surprise Monica has in store for him back home!
Writing
Fully improvised script keeps every scene dangerously alive.
Acting
Dylan O'Brien's screen debut shows instant star charisma.
Direction
Matt Walsh wrangles chaos into actual narrative momentum.
Director
Matt Walsh
James Pumphrey
Fitz
Abby Elliott
Monica
Dylan O'Brien
Jimmy Malone
Lizzy Caplan
Sheila
Rich Fulcher
Arnie
Matt Jones
Richie
Joe Lo Truglio
Officer Fogerty
Rob Riggle
James Malone Sr.
Horatio Sanz
Doctor
Zach Woods
Tommy
Brandon Johnson
Cab Driver
Andy Daly
Mr. Doobin
Kathryn Burns
Orchid
Mike Coleman
Bakersfield Bouncer
Kyle Gass
Winter Wierdo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Dylan O'Brien's first film role, shot before Teen Wolf premiered—director Matt Walsh discovered him through YouTube videos.
The entire movie was shot in 12 days with a 5-page outline replacing any traditional script, making every scene a high-wire act.
US
