Dash Pictures is expanding its horizons by entering the scripted film industry with its latest project, ‘Better’. Starring Tom Hopper as identical twins, this psychological thriller delves into complex themes of identity and mental health.
Dash Pictures Ventures into Scripted Content with ‘Better’
EXCLUSIVE: Factual producer Dash Pictures is making its foray into scripted content, having completed filming on its inaugural project, Better. This psychological thriller features Game of Thrones and The Umbrella Academy star Tom Hopper portraying identical twins.
Plot Overview
The film stars Hopper as Henry, a man at a low point in his life who encounters his long-lost identical twin, Patrick, who seems to excel in every aspect, igniting a perilous existential crisis.
Production Team
Produced by Anna O’Malley (Slow Horses) and directed by Dash founder Daniel Sharp, this film marks Sharp’s directorial debut. The screenplay is penned by Omid Ghaffarian.
Dash’s Expanding Portfolio
Recently, Dash announced a lineup of factual shows, including a Genghis Khan series for Nat Geo and a country house show pre-bought by Channel 4. They are also working on What Really Happened: American Independence, a documentary series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, following up on their previous show, Frontier.
Ambitions in Scripted Content
Sharp mentioned that the transition into scripted series and films has been a long-term goal for Dash. “We have reached a certain level of quality in our unscripted work and have been waiting for the right moment to venture into scripted content at the same standard,” he stated. “We have secured options on several books and are developing a range of scripted projects, including both films and series.”
Character Dynamics
In Better, Hopper plays both Henry and Patrick. Henry grapples with a failing marriage and a job he despises. After the death of his estranged father, his life spirals out of control upon meeting his twin. As the brothers reconnect, Henry’s self-doubt intensifies, leading to an obsession with Patrick’s seemingly perfect life, turning their reunion into a psychological unraveling.
Hopper’s Perspective
“This is a very special project that explores the spectrum of mental health through the lives of two estranged twin brothers,” Hopper explained. “Playing twins has always been a dream of mine. It was both enjoyable and challenging to distinguish their unique traits and ensure the audience believes they are portrayed by different actors.”
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Production and Distribution
Hopper also serves as a producer on Better, alongside his wife Laura, who stars in the film. He noted, “As an actor, you can feel distanced from production, which raises many questions. It was incredible for Laura and me to be involved in every discussion.”
In television, Dash collaborates with various distributors including Fremantle, Sphere Abacus, DCD, and Boat Rocker, and is now engaging with sales agents for Better.
“As we enter post-production, our focus remains on finding the right partners,” Sharp added. “We have been fortunate to finance this project without needing to pre-sell any territories.”
Sharp mentioned that their scripted slate is evolving. “We recently acquired a book set in Ireland that is manageable for production and can be executed to a high standard. We are also developing more ambitious projects, but we won’t greenlight those until we secure the necessary backing and financing.”
