Illomen: Sol Rodríguez of Peacemaker stars in giallo-inspired vampire movie

Sol Rodríguez is best known for playing Mecha in the Nickelodeon Latin America series Grachi, Teresa Ramirez in the second season of Star Trek: Picard, and Sasha Bordeaux in the second season of Peacemaker – and now, she has the lead role in the giallo-inspired vampire movie Illomen, which Deadline reports recently wrapped production in Los Angeles. I know that title looks odd when starts with a capital I, so I should note that Illomen = “ill omen.”

A Rising Star on Screen

Sol Rodríguez has steadily built a diverse portfolio that spans children’s television, sci-fi, and action drama. Her ability to move between genres with ease has made her a standout talent in Latin American and international productions alike. Fans of Grachi first fell in love with her vibrant energy, while her recent roles in Peacemaker and Star Trek: Picard showcased her capacity for depth and intensity.

Synopsis and Cast

This film marks the feature directorial debut of Nathalia Pizarro, who has previously written, directed, and/or produced a handful of short films. Pizarro also crafted the screenplay with Talar Baker and Alex Baumgardner, working from a story by cinematographer Brent Mata. The story follows a young widow whose life begins to fracture after a sudden tragedy, drawing her into a confrontation with a mysterious, century-old vampire.

Rodríguez is joined in the cast by Lou Lou Safran (Annabelle: Creation), Booboo Stewart (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Joshua Homme of the band Queens of the Stone Age, Cameron Cowperthwaite (Fallout), Bonnie Aarons (The Nun), Dax Campbell (S.W.A.T.), Tayler Buck (Superman & Lois), Fivel Stewart (Atypical), and Jesse Hughes of the band Eagles of Death Metal. There’s also a special appearance by The Black Lips as the OldBoys Bar Band.

The Making of Illomen

Production for Illomen reportedly took place in several Los Angeles locations, chosen to highlight both the city’s modern architecture and its darker, atmospheric corners. The filmmakers aimed to create a visual contrast between everyday life and the supernatural events unfolding on screen. Rodríguez has commented on the shoot, saying it challenged her to explore emotional extremes while performing intricate physical scenes that blend horror and elegance.

Beauty and Annihilation

Pizarro says, “This film was designed to be felt as much as seen. By embracing a saturated, giallo-influenced palette and a visceral, hands-on visual language, Illomen pushes classical genre into a raw, maximalist space between beauty and annihilation.“

Visual Style and Influences

The giallo genre, known for its striking use of color, stylized violence, and psychological tension, is a clear inspiration for Illomen. Pizarro has emphasized that she wanted the visuals to act as another character in the story, with bold lighting choices and compositions creating an immersive experience. This approach also allows the music, contributed by several cast members, to become an integral part of the narrative, enhancing both suspense and emotion.

Producers on the film include Brent Mata and Dax Campbell of HasBeen Productions, Nathalia Pizarro and Alix Brown of New American Picture Show, Megan Freels Johnston, Aimee Schoof, and Isen Robbins of Intrinsic Value (which we recently heard is developing the Stephen King adaptation Mister Yummy), and Max Neace. The plan is for Illomen to expected to make the festival rounds next year.

Anticipation and Audience Reaction

With its unique combination of vampires, musicians, and striking visuals, Illomen is generating buzz among fans of horror and genre cinema. Industry insiders are curious to see how the film balances suspense with stylistic flair, and early reactions from test screenings have praised Rodríguez’s performance as both powerful and nuanced. For viewers seeking something both haunting and visually spectacular, Illomen promises an experience unlike traditional vampire films.

The blend of colorful, giallo-influenced visuals, vampires, and musicians makes it sound like this could be an interesting project. Does Illomen sound like something you would want to watch? Let us know by leaving a comment below.