The Defectors (2026)

In a near-future surveillance state, Detective Reed Standford (Lyud Hristov) secretly aids a rebellion while maintaining his cover as a loyal investigator. When the rebellion's leader is assassinated, Standford is assigned the case — paired with a new partner, Detective Monk (Mike Kirk), whose affable demeanor masks a sharper agenda. As Standford navigates the investigation under Monk's watchful eye, he must uncover the killer without exposing his own allegiance.

The short thriller unfolds over a single, tense investigation, blending mystery and dystopian paranoia as Standford races to shape the narrative before the state shapes it for him.