Newcomer Shauna Grace twists and turns with Shane West in Supernatural “Soul Trader” [MOVIE REVIEW]

Newcomer Shauna Grace twists and turns with Shane West in Supernatural “Soul Trader”.

The screen fades up at the LA premiere of The Soul Trader and the first face we see reminds us of Hollywood Glamour.  This screen siren kicks ass in a Charlize Theron, Scarlet Johannson, Anya -Taylor Joy kind of way.

It’s easy to fall in love with Shauna Grace; the camera certainly has. She leads the audience through an upscale party, to a business deal where she explains her very unique set of skills.

In this business deal, Grace’s character stares down characters played by heartthrob Shane West and TV legend Donna Mills.

If you love more of West’s character work, you’ll love him in this role.  He rolls with the plot’s twists and turns with a smooth confidence that makes you want to see him in more mysteries, thrillers and heists.  Is a David Mamet film in his future?  We’d beg to see that!

We know Donna Mills as a 1980s sex symbol turned wine country icon.  Here she delivers icy lines with a vulnerability that remind us why she is a famed on-screen heartbreaker.

Filmmaker Susan Dynner inspires great moments from her cast, but also creates ambience with cinematographer Mattias Schubert and a score by Jeff Russo (yes, that Jeff Russo from Fargo and Ripley) and an original script from Mike Underwood.

Twisty-Turny Thriller

For as short time-wise as a short film typically is, this one moves fast.  Real fast.  With an ending that feels like it freezes time.  The crowded theater all leaned in at the last moment just before it ended.  With a collective, “But what happens next?”

The Future of The Soul Trader

What happens next is both obvious and a mystery.  

For the obvious, the short film, which has already received acclaim will continue on its film fest journey collecting honors and sparking meetings.

For the mystery, both Filmmaker Susan Dynner and Shauna Grace have revealed this is a proof of concept teaser to the feature film or TV series they want to make based on the concept.

Based on the crowds and applause in Cannes, NYC and now LA, it seems like this short is a sure bet for more. 

Susan Dynner shared:

“Today’s audience is an example of our future.  The theater was full of the entertainment industry and it played so well.  Tides are shifting in Hollywood. 

There are more opportunities than ever and we are excited to be getting so many meetings with those opportunities.”

Susan Dynner

At the LA after-party reception, both Shauna Grace and Susan Dynner were crowded with well-wishers and production companies. 

I was able to pull Shauna Grace away for a moment to congratulate her and ask about the experience:

“This has already been one of the best experiences and it’s only the beginning.  We are traveling around showing our short film that we are so proud of. 

It’s so rewarding getting audience feedback. Hearing from companies who are as excited as we are and wanting to work with us.  It’s all very exciting about the future.”

Shauna Grace

Story: An occult hitwoman has cornered the market for selling life-extending souls to the elite. But on her final hit before retirement, deadly competition emerges from the shadows.

Follow The Soul Trader on social media at their Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. 

For more information, visit their website at: www.TheSoulTrader.com