September 24, 2026 Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired the dark comedy I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE, written and directed by J. Davis. This second feature from J. Davis world premiered at Austin Film Festival to sold-out crowds, added screenings and rave reviews, and went on to play the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Chattanooga, RiverRun, and the Wilmington International Film Festival, where it won Best Feature.
Freestyle Digital Media will release the movie on digital HD internet, cable and satellite platforms on October 6, 2026. A limited theatrical release will kick off with a special screening at Vidiots in Los Angeles on October 8, 2026, moderated by Jay Duplass, with more cities to be announced shortly. Duplass said, “I’m thrilled to support I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE’s theatrical release. This exceptional indie film has humor, heart and fun—everything I want when I go to the movies.” The film is an exciting return to independent film for J. Davis, whose first feature, MANSON FAMILY VACATION, starred Duplass and debuted on Netflix.
Starring Mike Castle (Netflix’s Brews Brothers), Ali Gallo (The Secret Lives of College Girls), Andre Hyland (HBO’s Barry), Meredith Salenger (Lake Placid), and Leonora Pitts (For All Mankind), I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE follows Jacob (Castle), an unrealized artist, freshly dumped, who comes home to the desert to quietly end his life. The problem is, nothing goes according to plan. His mom needs a ride to the drugstore, his cousin needs a shoulder to cry on, and his best friend just wants to get high. Over a crazy night of parties, fistfights and car chases, Jacob rethinks his life and—maybe—his death.
I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE was shot in Los Angeles with cinematography by Evan Papageorgiou, and costume design by Lindsey DeMay. Actress Leonora Pitts produced the film along with Mark Myers, Bert Kern, John Hermann, Rick Rosenthal, Doug Matejka, and Samuel Henry Miller.
Upon its premiere at Austin Film Festival, Film Threat praised the movie as a “funny, thoughtful trip to the edge” and The Contending noted it was “a spiritual descendant of Better Off Dead” with a “breezy ‘anything goes’ vibe of 90s-era teen comedies like Go.”
Director and writer J. Davis said the film is, “a story of transformation. True to its title, it’s about a young guy who hates himself and wants to die. But it’s also about the people around him who don’t want him to die. His family and friends see his warmth and humanity even when he’s blinded to it. Our film has a lot of heart, and we’re thrilled that Freestyle recognized that.”
Actress and producer Leonora Pitts added, “We’re grateful to the team at Freestyle for championing indie film, and we’re excited to have both a digital and a limited theatrical release for I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE. The provocative humor of our dark comedy is one that I think will resonate with so many audiences.”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE with production companies Citizen Skull, Cut 4 Productions and Whitewater Films.
