Vespertine: A Psychedelic Sisterhood of Healing, Chaos, and Rebirth
A perfect sisterhood, a collective reckoning with the traumas of midlife womanhood, and a psychedelic journey of self-discovery—that’s the premise behind Vespertine, a bold new pilot written by Lauri Levenfeld. Vespertine is a manifesto, a cinematic offering rooted in feminine power, raw truth, and the messy beauty of transformation.
The story follows Veronica “V” Lee (Brittany Ishibashi), a successful entertainment attorney whose world unravels after a violent assault. Spiraling into a haze of nightclubs, pills, and fractured relationships, she tries to navigate a toxic, male-dominated work culture while dealing with the heavy expectations of her overbearing immigrant mother.
Just as she’s losing herself completely, three childhood friends—Cassy (Kate French), Marlowe (Rena Sofer), and Frankie (Marquita Terry-Lanier)—come back into her life. They're not here to save her, though. Not without facing their own ghosts first. As they unravel the layers of V’s story, they’re pulled into their own buried traumas, societal pressures, complicated relationships, and the lingering weight of womanhood and motherhood.
What starts as an indulgent intervention by the pool triggers a shared memory—an eerie, life-altering encounter with an angel of death in a shadowy desert valley, a moment they once believed would change everything. As the day slips into twilight, the group begins to recognize the strength in their connection and how their lives have been shaped—and misshaped—by forces beyond their control. They’re drawn to Vespertine, a poisonous desert flower rumored to offer a microdose with the power to either die or awaken. Taking the risk together, they surrender to the unknown, choosing to face what’s been left unspoken. It’s a gamble rooted in trust, transformation, and the belief that sisterhood might be the key to surviving it all.
“Vespertine is a personal odyssey, a lyrical road trip where every bump uncovers moments of horror and inspiration. The film advocates for a space to openly address our darkest struggles rather than hide behind closed doors,” shares Levenfeld.
Lauri Levenfeld, the award-winning producer, director, and writer, reveals that Vespertine was born from her own life and the stories of women she knows—her battle with an eating disorder in her twenties later became the seeds of her purpose and what she calls her superpowers.
Lauri has long been driven by the mission to uplift women. After graduating from USC as one of only two women in her Film & TV Production class, she made it her goal to create platforms for female voices and build creative spaces for women to rise. A formative meeting with Nelson Mandela while filming a documentary further cemented her path. That same passion later birthed three of her most treasured initiatives: The Project for Women & Girls, Project Mentor, and Village Queens—communities that champion women’s stories and leadership. She’s also the founder and CEO of AgentC, a branding and production company that supports women-centric companies, spotlights gender-focused issues, and champions female talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Vespertine is written and directed by Lauri Levenfeld, co-directed by Grace Wethor, and produced by Lauri Levenfeld and Jillian Shea Spaeder. Executive Produced by AgentC, with cinematography by Kayla Mason, production design by Jennifer Gilleece Denzler, editing by August Marcilliat, original music by Jack Gray, and casting by Tal Fox—a creative team predominantly made up of women.
On the final night of shooting, under a pink full moon in Joshua Tree, 95% of the cast and crew were women. That image alone captures the soul of Vespertine—not just a story, but a movement. A place where fear is named, pain is shared, and healing becomes a collective force. Vespertine reminds us that sometimes, chaos is the beginning of a new life.
This is just the first chapter of All We Need, a series created to spark the uncomfortable conversations we need as a society. Because when women come together in truth, vulnerability becomes power. Vespertine says it best—with a poisonous flower, a desert, and a sisterhood that burns, blooms, and never backs down.
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