Stephanie Hsu, whose memorable turn in Everything Everywhere All at Once earned her an Academy Award nomination, has secured her next major role. She will lead the upcoming crime-thriller The Teller, sharing top billing with the actor Guy Pearce and the Emmy-winning television star Hannah Waddingham.
The project represents a milestone for screenwriter Ben Ripley, who makes his feature directorial debut from his own original script. Best known for writing the high-concept, science-fiction thriller Source Code, Ripley is shifting his focus from temporal anomalies to a more grounded, gritty genre.
A Heist with a Twist
The film is set against the steep streets of San Francisco, though the production itself will travel elsewhere to capture its atmosphere. The story centers on Violet, portrayed by Hsu, a bank teller who has long felt invisible to the world around her. Her routine existence is disrupted when a rogue federal agent, played by Pearce, manipulates her into executing a robbery at her own workplace.
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What initially appears to be a straightforward heist quickly reveals itself to be merely the opening move in a far larger, more intricate deception. The producers have described the film’s tone as reminiscent of classic, puzzle-box crime films such as The Usual Suspects and the Boston-set thriller The Town.
An International Production
Though set in California, the film is structured as a joint production between the United Kingdom and Ireland. The behind-the-scenes team plans to begin principal photography late this autumn in Northern Ireland, with post-production scheduled to take place in the Republic of Ireland. Martin Brennan is producing under the banner of Teller Films UK alongside Jessica Malanaphy and Samantha Shear.
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The film’s international sales are being managed by the London-based agency Altitude, which is introducing the project to potential buyers at the Cannes Film Market this month. Domestic distribution rights in the United States are being overseen jointly by CAA Media Finance and Verve Ventures.
Hsu’s involvement in the project adds significant momentum. Since her breakthrough performance as Joy Wang, she has emerged as one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood, known for her ability to balance high-energy comedy with quieter emotional stakes. In The Teller, she takes on a role that requires her to anchor a tense, plot-driven thriller.
With a cast that pairs Hsu’s contemporary appeal with the veteran presence of Pearce and the comedic timing of Waddingham, the film is shaping up to be a notable entry in the upcoming independent film calendar. As pre-production wraps up over the summer, audiences can expect further details on how Ripley plans to translate his intricate writing style to the screen.
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