Justin H. Min to headline Indie film “Handle With Care”

The Umbrella Academy and Beef star Justin H. Min is taking the lead in Handle With Care, an upcoming indie feature written and directed by Matthew James Thompson, revealed Deadline in an exclusive report. The film, which marks Thompson’s debut as a feature filmmaker, delves into the emotional turbulence of divorce and the unexpected connections forged along the way.

Joining Min in the cast are Nicole Brydon Bloom, Elizabeth Paige, and Jon Rudnitsky. The film also features Peter Gerety, Michael Cyril Creighton, Amir Arison, Catherine Curtain, and Winslow Bright.

According to reports, the story centers on Cole, who finds himself grappling with the fallout of a year-long marriage to Reese. As part of the legal proceedings, Cole is required to sell their unopened wedding gifts, considered joint assets. Through platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, he encounters a range of strangers who challenge his cynical perspective on life.

The film intertwines Cole’s appraisal of his life—both figuratively and literally—with sharp commentary on the “wedding industrial complex.” Amid this, the upcoming wedding of his best friends (Paige and Rudnitsky) forces Cole to confront his skepticism about “happily ever after” and his own role in the breakdown of his marriage.

Producers Barret Hacia and Ashim Ahuja will helm the project under their White Whale banner, with John B. O’Rourke, formerly Warner Bros’ Director of Theatrical Film Distribution, joining as an executive producer. Filmed in October across vibrant New York City locations, the team independently raised financing to bring the story to life.

Min described the experience as deeply rewarding, said, “Matthew has written a beautiful story about the complexities and messiness of divorce and the surprising, vital connections we make along the way. Collaborating with him and our cast and crew has been a dream, and there’s no better backdrop than New York City to help bring this story to life.”

Thompson added, “Making this film has truly been a gift. We had an incredible crew here in NYC, have been so lucky to cast who we cast, starting of course with Justin Min, and we shot in diverse and textured locations throughout the city — each neighborhood welcoming our production with open arms. I can’t wait to share the result.”

Matthew James Thompson is represented by Sunday Funnies Management, while Min is represented by CAA, Authentic, and Hansen, Jacobson. The cast boasts representation from leading agencies such as Gersh, Buchwald, and Innovative Artists, underscoring the project’s strong industry backing.

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