Adam Carter Rehmeier Previews Outlaw Romance Carolina Caroline Ahead of TIFF Premiere

American filmmaker Adam Carter Rehmeier, whose credits include the cult favorite Dinner in America, the underseen indie Snack Shack, and the controversial debut The Bunny Game, brings his latest project, Carolina Caroline, to the Toronto International Film Festival. Rehmeier describes the film as his most commercial work to date.

Premiering September 5 at TIFF, Carolina Caroline is a '70s-inspired outlaw road movie that follows the crime spree and romance of Caroline (Samara Weaving), a young West Texas woman, and Oliver (Kyle Gallner), an effortlessly cool conman. Set around the turn of the 21st century, the film continues Rehmeier’s exploration of timeless Americana, building on the themes of rebellion, first love, and coming-of-age established in his previous films.

Caroline, in her mid-to-late twenties, has intentionally stayed close to home, living with her single father—until Oliver’s grifting lifestyle proves irresistible. “There’s just something about being an American filmmaker. So I see that [Americana] quality in my work, and I don’t want to shy away from it. I want to embrace it,” Rehmeier told The Hollywood Reporter. “I am inspired by David Lynch and the Coen brothers’ bodies of work and their takes on America. I want to work in that space, and there’s merit in working with what you know.”

The production, shot in Kentucky, impressively completed 92 sets over a 25-day schedule. “We’re an independent, low-budget film. We did 92 sets on a 25-day schedule. Just do the math, and if that doesn’t make your heart palpitate, you’re in trouble,” Rehmeier shared. “I had so many line producers tell me this was impossible to do, but I was able to pull it off with this really amazing team.”

Rehmeier’s career has spanned bold and provocative territory, beginning with his 2011 avant-garde horror debut, The Bunny Game, which realistically depicted the abduction and torture of a sex worker and was even banned in the U.K. Today, Rehmeier sees Carolina Caroline as his most accessible project: “The performances that Kyle Gallner and Samara Weaving deliver are very much a part of a more mainstream type of film. Of my three recent films, I feel like Carolina Caroline is the most accessible for a larger [moviegoing] audience.”

With its mix of Americana charm, romance, and high-stakes mischief, Carolina Caroline reinforces Rehmeier’s reputation for crafting striking, character-driven stories that resonate with both indie audiences and mainstream viewers.

Read the whole article on The Hollywood Reporter.