Rights holder / Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
„The Girl in the River“" (literal translation: The girl in the river) is an American crime thriller film with elements of mystery and drama, directed and written by Brando Benetton. The film is his feature-length directorial debut and is produced by Andrew Stevens and Joe Lemon, with the participation of Maggie Grace, Devon Sava, Tiffany Haddish and Ralph Macho. Its US theatrical release is scheduled for September 4, 2026.
The plot begins with the disappearance of two twin sisters - daughters of a senator. One is found dead in the Mississippi River, while the other is missing. The case attracts experienced forensic scientist Alan Kramer, who is sent to a remote American town together with young criminal profiler and forensic psychologist Amelia Pembroke. The two must penetrate the killer's way of thinking before the missing girl becomes the next victim.
As Alan Kramer Devon Sava builds an image of an experienced investigator who is used to working under pressure, but this case gradually turns out to be more complicated than a simple investigation. Maggie Grace takes on the role of Amelia Pembroke – an intelligent but still inexperienced profiler who must prove her abilities in a real-life situation. Tiffany Haddish played by Captain Erica Graysmith, and Ralph Macho also has an important role in history.
The direction of Brando Benetton emphasizes investigation and psychological suspense. Rather than turning the story into a traditional police action thriller, the film gradually expands the mystery and places the characters in an environment where suspicion begins to grip more and more people. The remote town, the fear surrounding the murder, and the media interest in the case create a sense of ever-increasing tension.
One of the interesting features of "„The Girl in the River“" is the dynamic between the two lead investigators. Kramer has years of experience, while Pembroke relies primarily on psychological analysis. Their partnership allows the film to combine classic criminal investigation with an attempt to understand the psychology of the perpetrator. Gradually, the case becomes a race against time, in which each new clue can either help or distract from the truth.
The film also relies on a strong supporting atmosphere. The small town is presented as a place where fear, suspicion and tension hide behind its apparent calm. The investigation gradually becomes a public sensation, and the pressure on the police and investigators further complicates the situation. This combination of a crime mystery and a psychological thriller allows the production to maintain intrigue without relying solely on action.
„The Girl in the River“" is a classic crime thriller that centers on a brutal crime, a missing child, and two investigators with different approaches to uncovering the truth. Brando Benetton uses familiar genre elements, but builds the story around the psychological competition between the investigators and the killer. Featuring Maggie Grace, Devon Sava, Tiffany Haddish and Ralph Macho The film is a curious proposition for fans of mysteries and dark crime stories.
