‘Problemista’ Trailer: A24 Releases Julio Torres’ Surreal Immigrant Comedy This August

A24, a studio that has built a reputation for releasing indie projects from filmmakers with unique voices, may have found the next big thing with Julio Torres’ Problemista. The surreal immigrant story stars Torres who is also the writer and director, playing a young man hoping to make it big in America as a toy designer.

Torres has found a lot of support for the film, with Tilda Swinton co-starring as a misfit artist who takes his character under her wing. Also, Emma Stone and Dave McCrary are counted among the film’s producers. The cast Torres has put together includes RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra, and Greta Lee.

Here’s the synopsis: Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream. From writer/director Julio Torres comes a surreal adventure through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the U.S. Immigration system.

Problemista opens in theaters on August 4th.

Travis Hopson
Travis Hopson has been reviewing movies before he even knew there was such a thing. Having grown up on a combination of bad '80s movies, pro wrestling, comic books, and hip-hop, Travis is uniquely positioned to geek out on just about everything under the sun. A vampire who walks during the day and refuses to sleep, Travis is the co-creator and lead writer for Punch Drunk Critics. He is also a contributor to Good Morning Washington, WBAL Morning News, and WETA Around Town. In the five minutes a day he's not working, Travis is also a voice actor, podcaster, and Twitch gamer. Travis is a voting member of the Critics Choice Association (CCA), Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA), and Late Night programmer for the Lakefront Film Festival.