Fueled by heart, craft, and a father’s savings — ‘Stephen’ rises from a 40-minute

 *Fueled by heart, craft, and a father’s savings — ‘Stephen’ rises from a 40-minute

short to a global psychological thriller, premiering Dec 5th on Netflix* 

In a twist from the usual crime playbook, Stephen starts where most thrillers end: the killer confesses. Premiering on Netflix on December 5th, Stephen is a simmering

psychological thriller written and directed by debut filmmaker Mithun Balaji. Starring Gomathi

Shankar, with Michael Thangadurai and Smruthi Venkat in key roles, the film explores hidden motives, murder, and unresolved trauma with a pace full of twists. Originally a 40-minute short film, it evolved into a feature after over one-and-a-half years of writing and research, shaped by their obsession with documentaries and real psychological cases.

As the narrative grew, so did the scale of its ambition. What began as a modest idea evolved into a feature project defined by discipline, restraint, and emotional honesty. Backed by a budget provided by Mithun’s father, Mithun had the space to steer the film entirely as its writer, director, and

producer. Gomathi’s performance carries the rawness of someone who helped build the character

from the ground up, giving Stephen its unsettling emotional core.

Speaking of the film, director, Mithun Balaji said, “Stephen grew far beyond what we first

imagined. A small short film slowly became a story that demanded more thought, more research, and more courage. 

We chose a name that feels familiar across cultures because the film speaks to

universal emotions. My father stepped in and funded this film from his savings so we could chase this dream which meant I had to step into every role the film demanded - directing, writing, producing, and editing. For our entire team to see it premiere on Netflix on December 5 feels like the

moment this entire journey was meant for.

Adding to that actor and co-writer, Gomathi Shankar, said, “Being part of Stephen right from the writing table gave me a deeper connection to the character than I’ve ever had before. The world we were creating was fragile, unsettling, and emotional, and stepping into it as an actor was both

demanding and rewarding. We didn’t have extravagant resources, so every scene relied on sincerity

and collaboration. Knowing that this film, which began so modestly, is now arriving on Netflix for audiences everywhere feels truly fulfilling.”

As Stephen arrives on Netflix on December 5- a small story that grew into a tense, atmospheric thriller. Instead of chasing shadows, Stephen invites you to sit with the uncomfortable truth that the

“why” is often far more haunting than the “who”.

WATCH STEPHEN EXCLUSIVELY ON NETFLIX FROM DEC 5TH