The Davis Theater in Lincoln Square is set to host the Chicago premiere of the comedy film “Oxy Morons” on Tuesday, featuring a diverse cast that includes former Chicago Bears player Israel Idonije.
The film tells the comedic story of Wayne Poss, played by Jeremy Sumpter, a beleaguered employee at a logistics company, who finds himself in a series of misadventures as he and his friends devise a scheme to steal, smuggle, and sell opioids from the largest pharmaceutical company in the United States.
As this amateur crew embarks on their chaotic drug operation, which includes launching a homemade submarine into the waters of Lake Michigan, their plans become increasingly complicated as they face mounting pressure from law enforcement while trying to alleviate their escalating financial troubles.
The film’s first theatrical screening is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Davis Theater, located at 4614 N. Lincoln Ave., during a private premiere event. Following the premiere, “Oxy Morons” will be available on various streaming platforms and on demand.
Directed by Sarah Cayce, the indie film was shot over a span of just 20 days in 2022, with a production budget of less than $1 million. Cayce emphasized that the film showcases Chicago talent both in front of and behind the camera.
“This is some scrappy Chicago ingenuity,” Cayce remarked, reflecting on how the casting and filming locations came together through her extensive network.
Having moved to Chicago more than a decade ago from Oklahoma, Cayce has immersed herself in the local culinary scene when not working on film projects.
“It was like we knew some people, who knew some people, who knew some people,” Cayce explained how the connections allowed the production to thrive.
“Chicago is such a big city, and we shot throughout the city. We went way North Side and way South Side,” she noted, underscoring the film’s diverse settings.
Cayce’s background as a casting director greatly influenced her ability to navigate the city and capture its nuances, such as deciding how much fake sweat should be applied to Sumpter as his character frantically bikes through Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Grant Troyer, the screenwriter and a Bucktown resident, shared his insights into why Chicago was the perfect backdrop for the film.
“Let’s take a worker that works for a greedy, logistics corporation and have him start pilfering pills from a greedy pharmaceutical company. Where else are we going to do that?” he pondered, noting that Chicago’s reputation as a central hub for transportation made it an ideal setting for a comedic heist.
The central theme of “Oxy Morons” serves as a satire of corporate greed, encapsulated by the absurd scheme devised by Sumpter’s character.
“We wanted to highlight just how greedy and reckless Big Pharma actually is,” Troyer explained, indicating that while the film features hijinks, it also provides a comedic critique of the pharmaceutical industry’s practices.
The film includes a humorous “training tutorial” that mimics actual employee onboarding at logistics companies, further emphasizing the flaws in the system.
“It shows just how broken the system can be, and how many hands are in the cookie jar,” Troyer added, discussing the undercurrents of the story.
Cayce was encouraged to pitch the project by her producer friend, Sara Sharp, who recognized the satirical potential of the script.
“I love punk rock. And I love sticking it to the man,” she described her motivation to direct, aiming to create a production that felt gritty and authentic.
“We worked our butt off. We actually put a practical submarine into the lake with electrical appliances inside it,” Cayce shared, adding further to the film’s outrageous, yet comical elements.
After facing delays in the film’s release due to labor disputes within the entertainment industry, Cayce advocated for a premiere in Chicago, a city that is deeply woven into the film’s narrative.
“This is a Chicago story. That’s why we premiered it at the Davis,” she affirmed, expressing her commitment to showcasing local talent and enthusiasm.
In a world where movie premieres often take place in larger markets like Los Angeles, Cayce felt it was essential to honor the film’s Chicago roots by debuting it where it was created.
Starting Tuesday, audiences can access “Oxy Morons” on major streaming platforms, such as AppleTV, Tubi, Redbox, and Fandango.
With its distinct blend of humor and social commentary, “Oxy Morons” aims to entertain while also sparking conversations about the realities of corporate America.
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/06/chicago-shot-indie-comedy-oxy-morons-premiering-at-lincoln-squares-davis-theater-tuesday/
