Timberlake grad to release final film in independent trilogy

It's been six years since 2018 Timberlake High School graduate and independent filmmaker Taylor Riley released the first in his "Odd or Even" movie franchise.

The finale to the series, "Odd or Even III: Deadly Dice," will premiere at 7 and 9:30 p.m. July 31 at Hayden Cinema.

"There had always been this itch that I couldn’t shake — fans needed to see more of this mysterious, upside world bound only by the imagination of the players of the game and the lucky roll of the die," Riley said. 

The original "Odd or Even" film was based on a game Riley played with his brothers, in which players roll for choices that will be decided once "odd or even" is declared. If the die lands on what the player calls, the next sequence of the game will favor that player. The player faces consequences if the die does not land as called.

Riley and his team in 2019 released the sequel, "Odd or Even II: Arcane Nightmare," which introduces the mysterious Dicemaster (played by Riley) and delves further into a storyline revolving around the "arcane box."

In the "Deadly Dice" finale, four friends are left with no choice but to once again pick up the game after their world is threatened by an ever-present and growing evil. Only by playing "Odd or Even" will they stand a chance to end the darkness plaguing their world. The screenplay, written by Riley and his wife, Alexis Riley, weaves together comedy, suspense and psychological drama.

"Not only does ‘Deadly Dice’ embrace that entertaining, twisted realm," Riley said, "it creates nostalgia and closure for this cast we’ve come to love."

Alongside Gage Benefield and Megan Hatrock, the film's ensemble cast includes Libby McCaslin, Chris Jarstad and Preston Davis.

“I was surprised to get a call saying that we were making a third one," Benefield said. "I never thought we’d make another one, but I’m so glad we did."

He said he thinks the third film tops the first two as far as story development and execution.

"I want to get people to be exposed to this," he said. "Not a lot of people can say that they’ve been in a film, and it’s shown in a theater. To be able to get their reaction and see how the crowd interprets these scenes, it’s super rewarding.”

McCaslin said she was surprised how the script changed compared with the previous films.

"While this one certainly still has its comedic moments, there is a more serious and personal element to this final movie that really grounds the story and brings the characters to life more than we've seen in the previous installments," she said.

Riley said he feels more than satisfied as his breakout trilogy comes to an end.

"I can’t believe how committed the cast and crew are to each other and this story," he said. "They rose to the occasion to produce a work we’ll all be proud of as the capstone of this series, a finishing touch to treasure throughout their lives.”

The films were all locally shot.

The score for "Deadly Dice" was composed with music by award-winning artist Cody Martin.

Visit orileyco.com for pre-order tickets and blu-ray sets.

Ticket prices at Hayden Cinema are now $6.50 for movies before 6 p.m. and $8.50 for movies after 8 p.m.

    Director Taylor Riley skims the script for "Odd or Even III" as he attempts to fit a demanding batch of scenes into only a few short hours.