“A time and place-twisting mystery that jumps from downtown NYC to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1980”
By Judy Shields
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/17/2025 – Don’t miss your opportunity to watch this film as you will find yourself pausing, rewind and hitting play. Who doesn’t like to watch a movie and be able to do that. You might want to pay attention as they cast of characters tell a story that will keep you wanting more. The story of family, the ocean, beach scenes, mob guys and a tiny love story.
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of VOD rights to the mystery crime thriller LUDERDALE, which will be available to rent/own on North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as DVD, on October 21, 2025.
Thom Mills is a director, writer and producer who works in the narrative, documentary and commercial arenas. His focus is on creating original stories that resonate on an emotional level and that cause us to question, explore and understand our common humanity on a deeper level.
He has written, directed and produced numerous films for Trispect Films. His most recent film, Luderdale, was acquired by Freestyle Digital Media and is scheduled for release on October 21st.
Trailer:
“Luderdale is a story about outsiders trying to find their way in and insiders trying to find their way out,” said filmmaker Thom Mills. “Whatever direction they’re going, the story’s characters – a drifter, a lost-soul, two mafia exiles and a killer in pursuit – arrive at a twisting and chilling climax. Ultimately, Luderdale explores themes of fate, loyalty, and loss and what it means to be
family.”
LUDERDALE, tells the story of a young stranger who mysteriously appears at the front door of a shuttered, beachfront hotel in Ft. Lauderdale in 1980. Inhabiting the closed hotel are two cousins who are on the run from gangland enemies who may have discovered their hidden location. They live in paradise but rarely experience it, not daring to venture outside. But boredom and growing stress from being confined causes the shut-ins to allow the new arrival inside their hidden world.
What starts as a deep mistrust between the trio soon evolves into an unlikely bond as they face threats from local drug dealers and mobsters from New York. Secrets between them threaten to shatter their fragile union as they begin to realize that maybe their chance encounter isn’t as random as it first appears. Living at the other end of the hotel is a damaged but beautiful young woman who holds secrets of her own. Who really are these people, and will their bond survive whoever the next person is to come through the door?
Here is the interview with Thom Mills about his film:
Written and directed by Thom Mills, LUDERDALE was produced by Mills, Wendy Winston and Melissa Vitello. Featured actors include: John Gargan (‘Hutch’), Austin Valli (‘Nicky’), Christian Shupe (‘Tommy’), Ayden Skye (‘Candy’), Joe Chambrello (‘Mr. J’), Sophie Swiszcz (‘Lude Girl’) and Rachel Lookshin (‘Violet’).
Before becoming a filmmaker Thom had various jobs; actor, rock and roll journalist, bartender, greeting card salesman and semi-semi-semi professional poker player. He began making films in 1996 with Deep Field Pass: The Sparky Dobbs Story, and hasn’t stopped since. Luderdale is Thom’s debut feature film. He is fairly obsessed with anything by Scorsese, “Big Bang Theory” reruns and cheese steaks, not necessarily in that order. Thom is currently working on a screenplay about the Wright Brothers. He hopes to get it off the ground soon.
Thom lives with his lovely wife, terrific daughter and two cats in Redondo Beach, California.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
For more information on the upcoming release of Luderdale, visit https://www.trispectfilms.com/luderdale/
