‘Soul to Squeeze’ Bends Minds on Prime

When Soul to Squeeze arrives on Amazon Prime on 10 July it offers more than a conventional thriller. The film charts the experience of Jacob Stafford, played by Michael Thomas Santos, who volunteers for an experimental therapy aimed at curing his psychological distress. Viewers follow Jacob into a fragmented reality that unfolds within a single location. A house conceals a tunnel into his subconscious mind.

Director and writer W.M. Weikart framed the project around a gradual transformation of aspect ratio. The screen begins in a boxy 4:3 format and widens throughout the story to a full 2.35:1 by the final frame. This technical choice echoes Jacob’s own expanding perception as he confronts memory lapses, distorted time and unsettling revelations.

Weikart is no stranger to visually inventive work. His previous credits include the official music video for “Wasteland” by New Originals, featuring Daru Jones, Adrian Belew and Jerry Harrison, and the animated short Yellow, written and performed by Daniel Johnston. His new feature blends psychological drama and surreal imagery. It reflects an ambition to explore the interplay between mind and body on screen.

Michael Thomas Santos underwent a physical transformation for the role, shedding weight to demonstrate Jacob’s descent into torment and then regaining it during reshoots. Santos has appeared in CSI: Vegas and the short film Bully. His lead turn in Soul to Squeeze marks one of his most demanding performances to date.

Producer and co-writer Andrew Rivas oversaw the project from its inception. He built a reputation with short films such as Relentless and The Latin Lover and television work on American Family. His dual role as writer and executive producer ensured the story’s emotional core remained intact amid the film’s technical innovation.

Keida Mascaro joined the team as producer, bringing experience from projects including Our Dyslexic Children and Evil Takes Root. Mascaro’s background in genre drama helped secure the resources needed to realise Weikart’s unconventional structure.

Frisson Entertainment and BlueBeard Productions co-financed the film, positioning it within a rising wave of independent psychological thrillers that experiment with form as well as content. Soul to Squeeze has already played select festivals where industry attendees noted its willingness to push beyond standard cinematic boundaries.

Amazon Prime subscribers will be able to stream Soul to Squeeze from 10 July. Check out the trailer below.

Soul to Squeeze trailer