Feature film2020Thriller
Rent-A-Pal
He talks to you. He listens to you. He understands you.
Written & directed by Jon Stevenson
Watch the film
Official trailer
Additional clips
Reviews
Word on the Street
“With a swift directorial style and excellent performances to boot, find yourself a Rent-A-Pal.”
JoBlo.com
“Expertly keeps you on edge.”
The Hollywood Reporter
“Wil Wheaton plays one of the scariest villains of the year in Jon Stevenson’s brilliant Rent-A-Pal.”
RogerEbert.com
“Thanks to a wholly believable ‘90s atmosphere, skilled direction in Stevenson’s debut, a stellar performance from Wheaton, and strong performance from Folkins and a thrilling synthesizer score, it sets itself apart from similar genre fare in stylish and chilling fashion.”
Shock Till You Drop
Festival run
Recognition
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Nominee
New Visions Award
Sitges Film Festival
2020
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Winner
Best Actor
Grimmfest
2020
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Winner
Best Screenplay
Grimmfest
2020
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Special Mention
Best Director
Grimmfest
2020
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Nominee
Best Indie of 2020
Film Threat Award This!
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Winner
Best Director
Film Threat Award This!
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Nominee
Best Romantic Comedy
Film Threat Award This!
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Nominee
Directors to Watch
Sunset Film Circle Awards
2020
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Nominee
Scene Stealer
Sunset Film Circle Awards
2020
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Official Selection
Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival
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Official Selection
Terror-Fi Film Festival
2020
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Official Selection
Leiden International Film Festival
2020
The jist
About the Film
In 1990, before the days of Tinder, there existed Video Rendezvous - a VHS dating service where participants swapped recorded tapes in the hopes of meeting their perfect match. David, a lonely 40s-something bachelor, uses the service regularly. It’s his only alleviation from the day-to-day routine of caring for his aging, demented mother. But the lack of results from the dating service drives David to something new; a strange VHS tape called Rent A Pal. Hosted by the hypnotic Andy, Rent A Pal promises to give David something he doesn’t have - a best friend. The tape is awkward and ineffective at first, but after a painful rejection from Video Rendezvous, he commits to a relationship with Andy. And although their friendship quickly blossoms, the tape only fuels his isolation from the outside world. David quickly veers down a dark path of hate and jealousy, and must face off against Andy, and himself, to regain his sanity.
Watch at home
Where you can watch Rent-A-Pal
Destinations checked July 16, 2026
20-part production diary
Making Rent-A-Pal
Join stars Brian Landis Folkins, Wil Wheaton, and the rest of the Pretty People Pictures team as they embark on the making of writer/director Jon Stevenson’s feature debut: Rent-A-Pal.
Enter the production diaryOriginal motion picture soundtrack
Original motion picture soundtrack
“There’s an excellent score throughout. Small moments of that eighties electro synth that is still popular in the genre, work well here while the mainstay of the music is this hauntingly beautiful score.”
Nerdly
Credits
IFC Midnight presents
A Pretty People Pictures production
A Jon Stevenson film “Rent-A-Pal”
Starring Brian Landis Folkins · Kathleen Brady · Amy Rutledge · and Wil Wheaton
Casting by Robert B. Martin, Jr.
Produced by Annie Elizabeth Baker · Jimmy Weber · Jon Stevenson
Assistant director Brian D. Bell
Director of photography Scott Park
Production designer Brandon Fryman
Music by Jimmy Weber
Written, directed, and edited by Jon Stevenson
Copyright ©2020 Video Rendezvous, LLC. All Rights Reserved.