About The Film
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When a straight-arrow rookie and a reckless deputy are suddenly paired in a dusty West Texas town, a brutal cartel murder hurls them through bar-room brawls, moonlit car chases, and a deadly desert showdown with a ruthless kingpin.
In sun-blasted West Texas, rule-bound rookie Adam "Poe" Ralpot and hot-headed deputy Sal Astrena are forced to work together when Sheriff Rockston gives them an ultimatum: ride together or surrender their badges. What starts as a routine investigation spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a phantom trafficker known only as El Escorpion.
Meet the Players
From dusty West Texas streets to deadly cartel confrontations these are the lives colliding in High Stakes.
Adam "Poe" Ralpot
Played by TBD
The Rookie
Rule-bound and methodical, Adam 'Poe' Ralpot is the straight-arrow rookie who believes in doing things by the book. Fresh out of training and eager to prove himself, he's meticulous about procedure and driven by an unwavering sense of justice. His clean-cut appearance and calculated approach mask a sharp intellect and surprising resilience when pushed to his limits. When he's forced to partner with hot-headed deputy Sal Astrena, Adam discovers that sometimes the right thing isn't always found in the manual and that survival in West Texas requires bending the rules he holds so sacred.
Supporting Cast
Sheriff Rockston
A weathered lawman who's seen too much death in West Texas. When Adam clocks Sal during a traffic stop, Rockston gives them an ultimatum: work together or turn in their badges. He runs a tight ship but knows when to let his deputies follow their instincts.
Syd McQueen
A charming, quick-talking college student with a knack for being in the right place at the wrong time. Her connections to the party scene and ability to read people make her an invaluable source of information for the investigation.
Deputy Mangold
An eager young deputy who gets paired with Adam when Sal goes rogue. Enthusiastic but inexperienced, Mangold provides comic relief while trying to prove himself worthy of his badge.
Wes Younger
Sal's 78-year-old godfather and a hell of a Texan. This short but ready-to-rumble former Texas Ranger still wears the hat from his law enforcement days and now runs the local bait-and-tackle shop. With his friendly, wrinkled face and larger-than-life stories, Wes claims he was there for Kennedy's shooting, Whitman's massacre, Waco, and the Mavs' championship. After a couple rounds of Texas rye, he'll even swear he invented Dr. Pepper.
Behind the Lens: OFFBEND Studios
Crafting original stories with unforgettable characters.
OFFBEND challenges Hollywood by merging auteur cinema with tech innovation. We create original IP for film, TV, and future platforms, building immersive experiences. Our debut feature, High Stakes, showcases our edgy, smart, and memorable style. We're building a multi-vertical powerhouse driven by artistic integrity, audience focus, and constant innovation.
Hayden Phillips
CEO
Carson Meadors
COO
Stefanie Maxson
CMO
Marshal Hodges
Co-Head of Production
Evy Pitt-Stoller
Co-Head of Production
Meet the High Stakes Crew
The core creative team bringing this vision to life.
Support Independent Film
Help bring High Stakes to life. Your support enables independent storytelling and connects you with exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
Crew Member
- Digital copy of the script
- BTS production updates
- Name in "Digital Backers" credits
Associate Producer
- All Crew Member rewards
- Exclusive early access screening link
- Digital concept art pack
Executive Producer
- All Associate Producer rewards
- Your name in the MAIN credits
- Virtual Premiere Q&A invite
Studio Partner
- All Executive Producer rewards
- Invitation to virtual Q&A w/ Director
- Signed limited edition poster
Executive Circle
- All Studio Partner rewards
- Special Thank You credit (on-screen)
- Set visit opportunity (travel not included)
Custom Amount
Support the film at any level that works for you.
All backers no matter the amount will be featured in our digital Backer Wall and receive exclusive behind-the-scenes updates.
Early Bird Bonus
First 50 backers at Executive Producer tier & above get exclusive digital wallpapers + special BTS Zoom access.
Formal Investment Opportunities
For those interested in equity investment or other participation structures beyond our backer rewards, we welcome a discussion. Please reach out to explore formal investment opportunities with Offbend Studios.
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