By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/16/25 – Today marks the official release of The Compatriots, Spencer Cohen’s moving buddy dramedy that blends humor, tenderness, and the stark realities of immigration in America. Landing on Apple TV, Amazon, and other major platforms just in time for Citizenship Day, the film couldn’t feel more urgent, or more human.
At its heart, The Compatriots tells the story of Hunter (Denis Shepherd) and Harvey (Rafael Silva), two young men whose friendship unfolds against the backdrop of questions of identity, belonging, and what it really means to call a country home. While the narrative carries the heavy weight of deportation and legal limbo, it’s equally rooted in compassion and intimate connection.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Denis Shepherd to discuss his journey with the film and his portrayal of Hunter. With the film’s premiere only hours away, Shepherd described his excitement:
“It feels really great. I’m really excited. You know, we filmed it two years ago, almost to the day when we finished in July. It’s just surreal… We all worked so hard on it, so yeah, it’s been a long time coming.”
When asked what first drew him to Hunter, Shepherd admitted it was almost instinctual. The audition material, paired with his research into Cohen’s vision, convinced him the story was worth investing in:
“The relationship between Harvey and Hunter, I knew right away was something special.”
Click below for our exclusive interview:
The film’s release just ahead of Citizenship Day adds a deeper resonance. Shepherd reflected thoughtfully on that symbolism:
“There’s just so much going on right now with what it means to be a citizen. I think this film is perfect for this time… We’re all equals. We’re all humans. We’re all individuals, and we should all be treated with dignity and respect.”
This framing makes The Compatriots more than a film; it’s a conversation starter about who gets to belong and why.
Hunter and Harvey’s friendship is the emotional center of the story. Shepherd credited his co-star Rafael Silva with making that connection authentic.
“Rafael gave me a tour of the entire city of Boston. We walked around for like eight hours and were just getting to know each other, sharing experiences. He was exactly the partner and friend that I needed in that experience.”
Their off-screen bonding translates beautifully on-screen, grounding the film’s bigger political themes in personal intimacy.
The film also dares to cross thematic borders—immigration, LGBTQIA+ identity, and chosen family. For Shepherd, approaching this intersection required humility:
“The biggest thing for me is to come into every situation with openness and curiosity… Can we all just treat each other with a little respect and dignity? That’s how I was raised, so that’s what I brought to the character.”
Portraying Hunter’s search for belonging was no easy feat. Shepherd admitted some of the film’s emotional beats left a lasting impact:
“The moments where his character is really struggling with his identity and belonging—that was really tough for me to tap into and understand. I went through a lot of growth taking in the emotions… to really understand how much pain and struggle someone in his shoes really goes through.”
For Shepherd, who has appeared in Paradise Lost, improv at UCB, and other projects, The Compatriots represents a breakthrough. Each time it’s about showing up, getting out of your comfort zone, and proving to yourself that you belong in this world or in this career.
“Every time I get into these situations, I practice, rehearse, do my preparation, and bring my best self, and it’s led to a lot of great and impactful experiences for me.”
The Compatriots succeeds because it doesn’t just preach—it feels. By weaving themes of identity, immigration, and love into a buddy comedy format, Cohen and his cast remind us that belonging is not a privilege; it’s a birthright of humanity. Shepherd and Silva bring a chemistry that feels lived-in, grounding the politics in friendship and the universal longing to be seen.
As Denis Shepherd told me before signing off, his work is about respect, curiosity, and dignity. Those values pulse through The Compatriots, making it a timely, heartfelt, and deeply necessary story.
