“The Dose Makes the Poison” by John Fletcher wraps up 7-day shooting
What started as a social media experiment has wrapped up writer/director/star John Fletcher with his feature debut The dose makes the poison.
Fletcher (who acted on Bush, Rook, Apostles) completed the seven-day shoot, and video documentation of the entire process, after beginning the unconventional experiment with a social media post on August 1, 2025.
“Can I make a feature film in 50 days, from absolutely nothing, and show it at Sundance?” Fletcher asked Instagram.
After filming was completed, Fletcher said: “I can’t even explain it. I just woke up and did it. Then I don’t think I’ve slept for the last six weeks.” He hopes the project will encourage discourse about the evolving landscape of filmmaking, as well as inspire other artists to create “without waiting for permission.”
Starting from scratch with no script or even a concept on day one, Fletcher invited followers along on the journey to help him refine his creative process, resulting in a film starring himself that explores his deeply personal experiences with depression.
“I haven’t seen anything that relates to the feeling of depression. Fighting for yourself, against yourself,” Fletcher explained. “It’s like nothing else. Because no one can hear it. No one can see it. No one can participate but you. And it’s the most dangerous and deadliest conversation you can have, because no one listens to you the way you listen to yourself.”
Written and directed by Fletcher, Beth Riesgraf served as DP. The film is produced by Fletcher and Riesgraf, with executive producers Jeremy Landon Hayes, Luis Pagnulo and Hunter G. Davis.
Fletcher is repped by Industry Entertainment.