The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 779: [THE SHADOW WITHIN] TRAILER

Rain fell in a relentless, drenching curtain, blurring the neon lights of the city into smears of color. A man ran through it. He was rugged, his clothes dark with water, his expression one of fierce determination as he pursued an unseen figure down the slick streets.

Sudden, violent flashes punctuated his frantic sprint:

A glint off a knife in a dark doorway.

A streak of dark red washing down a storm drain.

A glimpse of a pale, motionless hand behind a dumpster.

He followed a turn into a narrow alley and slid to a stop, his boots skidding on the wet pavement. The space was empty, a dead end stacked with abandoned boxes. The person he was chasing was gone. He bent forward, hands on his knees, breath heaving in ragged clouds as the rain poured over him.

Abruptly, the drumming on his back and shoulders stopped.

He straightened up and turned.

A man stood behind him, holding a simple black umbrella over them both. This man was untouched by the storm. His hair was perfectly neat, his expensive coat dry. His face was arrestingly beautiful, with soft, elegant features. But his eyes held no warmth, no concern. They were a calm, deep black, observing the soaked man with an air of detached, clinical interest.

The view widened, framing the two of them in the alley’s mouth. One man was all violence and storm, the other was stillness and calm. They stood together under the canopy of the umbrella, an unlikely and unsettling pair.

The screen cut to black.

Silence hung for a second. Then, words appeared in the center of the screen. The letters were sharp and stark, like a cut, slowly forming the title:

[THE SHADOW WITHIN]

They lingered for a moment before fading to black.

***

Astrid Townsend v: [The Shadow Within] is finally coming out on September 13. This movie means a lot to everyone who worked on it, and we’re all really proud of how it turned out. I won’t elaborate on what the story was about, just know that you won’t regret watching it. I really hope you’ll give it a watch and enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. @evanmccann @rhett_archer @IndieFlix #theshadowwithin #indiefilm

*reposted trailer from IndieFlix Studio’s official account*

Comments started pouring in under Astrid’s post almost immediately.

- What’s this? A new movie?

- Is this an indie film? Aster... why would you do an indie film?

└ What’s wrong with an indie film?

└└ Yeah, what’s the problem with it?

└ Maybe watch the trailer before you say things like that.

- Wow. The trailer was really well made. The shots and the music, everything was on point.

└ I know, right? I can’t believe it’s actually an indie film. It looks like it had a huge budget.

└└ Right? The production quality is insane.

└└└ Seriously, it looks more polished than some big studio thrillers I’ve seen lately. I’m definitely watching this.

└ LOL you’re all delusional. Haven’t you thought that they’re just baiting you to watch this movie? Of course, they would make the trailer look good. How else would they seduce you to watch? I bet the final cut would be a mess.

└└ You’re probably right. Trailers are always the best parts.

└└ Don’t be so negative. IndieFlix has an excellent track record, and Aster doesn’t strike me as someone who would put his name on trash.

└└└ Exactly. I’m willing to give it a chance.

└ Save your money. This has ’flop’ written all over it.

└└ Shut up!

- What do you think the movie is about?

└ It looks like a mystery? Maybe a mystery-thriller?

└└ I think so too. The way the trailer was cut, it has that noir vibe.

└└└ Ooh... is Aster playing some kind of detective?

└ Then what does that other man in the trailer play? The criminal? LOL

- The trailer looks good, but I’m still worried. Aster’s career is going so well right now. Is doing an indie film really the right move?

└ I get what you mean. I wouldn’t be as worried if the director or his co-stars were more well known. But... the people Aster tagged are basically unknown.

└└ Well, Rhett Archer isn’t a total newbie, but yeah, he’s not that popular.

└└└ And why did he have more screen time in the trailer? Is he the main lead instead of Aster?

└ Let’s try not to be negative. Did you read Aster’s post? He wants our support, and he seems to really believe in this movie. As his fans, we should trust his judgment.

└└ I admire your dedication. (Said with sarcasm, in case the person above missed it.)

└└└ That comment was for us Starlights. If you’re not a fan, then shut up.

└ Well, Aster had already filmed the movie, it’s even about to be released, so what’s the use of worrying now?

More and more comments piled up under Astrid’s post. A lot of his fans showed their support and said they would watch the movie. There were also worried fans who weren’t sure if this project was the right move for his career. But even those fans said they would still support the movie, because they supported him.

Of course, there were also hate comments. Some people celebrated, saying this was the beginning of the end for Astrid’s career. Others mocked the movie itself, calling it predictable and saying the sets and costumes looked low budget and fake. They even made fun of Rhett Archer, saying he looked more like a street thug than a serious actor.

Amid all that, a certain number one fan reposted Astrid’s post.

White Wolf (@astridsnumber1fan): Aster. Just watched the trailer five times in a row. I am not okay. You look absolutely breathtaking and this film looks like a genuine work of art. I am so, so proud of you for choosing this path and pouring your heart into it. September 13th is now a national holiday as far as I’m concerned. I will buy ten tickets, I will watch it until I memorize every frame, and I will support you with every single bit of love I have. You are not just an actor, you are a true artist. #Aster #TheShadowWithin #Starlight

As usual, this number one fan’s post attracted a lot of attention.