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 thriller feature THE THIRD DEGREE which will be available North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms on July 10, 2026, as well as DVD on July 14, 2026.
THE THIRD DEGREE tells the story of William, who has written and directed a murder mystery filled with Hitchcockian and film noir twists. He has invited three former classmates from an English Dramatic Academy to star in the production: the gorgeous but manipulative Gabrielle, the clever and treacherous Sterling, and his impulsive close friend, Warrick. The group gathers to rehearse with him inside a creepy, ancient theater in London. During this single night of rehearsal, hidden secrets and affairs among the actors come to light. These real-life revelations unfold alongside flashbacks to 1922, the era in which the play takes place. Through a series of unexpected twists, the actors attempt to outsmart one another, but their rivalry soon spirals into murderous consequences. As the night progresses, William builds the suspense by manipulating the ambitions of his cast while rewriting their characters into violent, action-packed scenes. By the finale, everyone is left questioning who has actually been murdered and who has survived. For both the cast and the audience, it becomes nearly impossible to tell the difference between reality and the play.
Written by McKay Daines and directed by Ryan Little, THE THIRD DEGREE was produced by McKay Daines and Steven A. Lee. Featured actors include: James Barrington (‘William’), Eric Geynes (‘Warrick’), Tom Hutch (‘Sterling’), and Nicola Posener (‘Gabrielle’).
“THE THIRD DEGREE is a psychological puzzle box wrapped in a classic murder mystery,” said filmmaker Ryan Little. “It explores the dark side of ambition when the characters they create refuse to stay on the page. It is a story about control, manipulation, and the deadly consequences of blurring art with real life. We wanted to craft an immersive experience where the audience can never quite trust what is reality and what is part of the play.”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated a deal to acquire THE THIRD DEGREE directly with the filmmakers and sales agent Giulia Prenna of Mind the GAP Productions.
