Refuse To Go Dark

When a clean-cut real estate broker plans to propose to the man he loves, his business partner—who may or may not be in love with him—makes one final, brutal play to keep him in the dark… and in his world.

Genre: Neo-Noir / Psychological Thriller / LGBTQ+
Format: Feature Film

The craftsmanship of the screenplay is evident in its elevated use of language, vivid imagery, and precise attention to detail. Every element—from the striking visual descriptions that evoke the grandeur of Denver’s skyline to the intricate character portrayals—demonstrates a deliberate commitment to creating a cinematic experience that is at once both immersive and artistically sophisticated. The writer’s command of language is reflected in elaborately constructed scenes where even seemingly mundane details are rendered with a painter’s eye for color and texture. The inscribed ring, the interplay of light and shadow, and the carefully mirrored dialogue all serve as testaments to a high level of technical prowess in writing.

See The Review

Gunner lives in the light: successful, grounded, and deeply in love with Frankie. But Angelo—his slick, dangerously magnetic business partner—operates in shadows. When Gunner announces a proposal and a new life abroad, Angelo does the unthinkable: he kidnaps Frankie.

Set in present-day Denver, Refuse to Go Dark unspools in a sleek world of loyalty, obsession, and identity, where every man is hiding something—and some love stories burn too bright to survive.

Meet Angelo - 45

Distinguishing characteristics: Smooth, dangerous, manipulative, ambitious

Angelo Found a New Home...

Gunner

Male Age: 36

Distinguishing characteristics: Handsome, confident, safe demeanor, successful businessman

Overview: Gunner is a 36-year-old confident and handsome man, whose demeanor makes people feel safe. He is deeply in love with Frankie and plans to propose to him. Gunner is a successful businessman, unafraid of taking risks, and is caught in a complex relationship with Angelo, who harbors feelings for him. Gunner's journey is one of love, loyalty, and navigating the dangerous waters of business and personal relationships.

Angelo

Male Age: 45

Distinguishing characteristics: Smooth, dangerous, manipulative, ambitious

Overview: Angelo is a 45-year-old man, smooth as oil and twice as dangerous. He is deeply entangled in Gunner's life, both professionally and personally, harboring unrequited feelings for him. Angelo is manipulative, ambitious, and willing to go to great lengths to get what he wants, including resorting to violence. His character is a mix of charm and menace, making him a pivotal antagonist in the story.

Frankie

Male Age: 30

Ethnicity: Latin

Distinguishing characteristics: Beautiful, vibrant, creative, courageous

Overview: Frankie is a 30-year-old Latin artist, beautiful and full of life. He is deeply in love with Gunner and is the emotional heart of the story. Frankie's character is vibrant, creative, and unafraid to stand up for himself and those he loves. His relationship with Gunner is central to the narrative, and his tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the unfolding drama.

Gender: MaleAge: 36Distinguishing characteristics: Handsome, confident, safe demeanor, successful businessmanOverview: Gunner is a 36-year-old confident and handsome man, whose demeanor makes people feel safe. He is deeply in love with Frankie and plans to propose to him. Gunner is a successful businessman, unafraid of taking risks, and is caught in a complex relationship with Angelo, who harbors feelings for him. Gunner's journey is one of love, loyalty, and navigating the dangerous waters of business and personal relationships.AngeloGender: MaleAge: 45Distinguishing characteristics: Smooth, dangerous, manipulative, ambitious

Angelo

45-year-old man,

smooth as oil and twice as dangerous. He is deeply entangled in Gunner's life, both professionally and personally, harboring unrequited feelings for him. Angelo is manipulative, ambitious, and willing to go to great lengths to get what he wants, including resorting to violence. His character is a mix of charm and menace, making him a pivotal antagonist in the story

Frankie

Male Age: 30Ethnicity: LatinDistinguishing characteristics: Beautiful, vibrant, creative, courageousOverview: Frankie is a 30-year-old Latin artist, beautiful and full of life. He is deeply in love with Gunner and is the emotional heart of the story. Frankie's character is vibrant, creative, and unafraid to stand up for himself and those he loves. His relationship with Gunner is central to the narrative, and his tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the unfolding drama.

Pandora Whitely

Female Age: 50s

Distinguishing characteristics: Heiress, socialite, manipulative, powerful, enigmaticOverview: Pandora is a 50s heiress and lethal socialite, with a legacy in fashion, media, and manipulation. She is a powerful and enigmatic figure, collecting people like fine wine and using them to her advantage. Pandora is a modern-day Cleopatra, with exquisite taste and a ruthless demeanor. Her relationship with Gunner and the other characters is complex, as she navigates the dangerous world of high-stakes business and personal intrigue.

Crosby

MaleAge: 45 Ethnicity: Irish Distinguishing characteristics: Thug, loyal, street-smart, vulnerable Overview: Crosby is a 45-year-old Irish thug from Boston, connected to Angelo and involved in the darker side of the business. He is loyal but finds himself caught in the dangerous games of power and betrayal. Crosby's character is a mix of street-smart toughness and vulnerability, as he navigates the treacherous world around him

Deuce

Male Age: 35

An outsider seeking his place in Chicago, the owner of The Wild Card, is establishing himself as a significant player in Chicago's underworld.

Jack

Male Age: 30

is a calculating and somewhat mysterious figure who becomes deeply entangled with Deuce. Protective and manipulative, he is deeply in love with Deuce and helps him navigate Chicago's underground.