Reinventing Comedy: Tom Carroll on ‘The Stress is Killing Me’

The Stress is Killing Me: A Hilarious Take on Midlife Reinvention

In a world where career burnout is a growing concern, filmmaker Tom Carroll is bringing humor to the struggle with his latest feature, The Stress is Killing Me. The film, a comedic exploration of midlife crises and career reinvention, is set to premiere at the Landmark Westwood Theatre on February 28, 2025, before its digital release on March 7.

“I noticed that people in their 40s were hitting the wall,” Carroll explains. “They worked like crazy and then woke up one day and said, ‘Is this all there is?’ They had been sold a bill of goods, and their lives and jobs didn’t seem so great anymore.” This realization became the foundation of The Stress is Killing Me, where eight disillusioned professionals decide to ditch their careers and try their dream jobs for a week—with disastrous yet hilarious consequences.

A Comedy with a Message

The film tackles a serious subject—burnout and career dissatisfaction—but does so with a comedic twist. “It’s such a stressful world for people these days, and that leads to funny situations,” says Carroll. “People forget how important their work is, and they need to be reminded that what they’ve worked so hard for is worth it.”

The premise—a group of longtime friends deciding to live out their dream jobs for a week—offers not just laughs, but moments of genuine self-discovery. “Initially, I had these eight great characters who were all fed up with their careers, but I had no plot,” Carroll reveals. “Then I thought—everyone has a dream job. So why not have them try it?” The result? A comedic journey reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life, where most of the characters end up seeing their original careers in a new light.

The Challenges of Comedy and Collaboration

Comedy, as Carroll notes, is notoriously difficult to execute. “Peter O’Toole said in My Favorite Year, ‘Death is easy; comedy is hard.’ I’ve always remembered that.” Balancing multiple storylines within an ensemble cast was a challenge, but one that Carroll was eager to take on.

On set, Carroll wears many hats as writer, director, and producer. “But when we’re shooting, I’m the director,” he clarifies. “I even like to yell out, ‘Who wrote this? It’s terrible!’—even though I wrote it. It keeps things fun. I leave the producing duties to my Executive Producer and focus on directing. That’s hard enough, but it’s the greatest job in the world.”

The casting process was rigorous, with hundreds of actors auditioning from across the country. “I read them again and again on Zoom until they were practically begging, ‘Just cast me already!’” Carroll laughs. “Then I cast them in roles they didn’t expect. I saw something incredible in them that they didn’t anticipate, and once they got into their roles, they saw the light. The result was a phenomenal ensemble.”

Memorable Moments on Set

With comedy, the magic often happens in the moment. Carroll recalls some of the funniest scenes coming together unexpectedly. “I asked Matt Page to do a shtick with a fold-out couch, and he delivered the funniest routine. I had Carly Christopher rub pizza in Grayson Berry’s face, and she had the best time. When it was over, Grayson just said, ‘Save me a slice.’”

The chemistry between the actors was key to making the film work. “I made sure they were on set every day, even if they weren’t shooting. They became like a family,” Carroll says. “By the time we shot the scene where they’re saying goodbye, I looked around, and they were all crying—actually crying. It’s a movie, for God’s sake! But that’s how real it felt to them.”

The Message Behind the Laughter

While The Stress is Killing Me is primarily a comedy, Carroll hopes audiences walk away with a renewed appreciation for their lives and careers. “I hope they see that their work means something,” he says. “Stress makes people think life isn’t great, but this movie shows that your career has mattered, despite the stress.”

When asked whether people today are more willing to chase their dreams later in life, Carroll acknowledges the complexity of the decision. “People hit the wall at different times. In this movie, it’s their mid-forties, but for others, it’s later. Societal pressures still hold people back, but if you try your dream job and love it, you can switch. If not, you’ll appreciate your old job in a new way.”

As for which dream job he’d personally like to try? “To be honest, I’d like to try being a priest—or in my case, a rabbi,” Carroll says. “Matt Page did a great job turning into a priest, and I’d love to see what it’s like.”

Premiere and Release

After a successful screening at the Santa Fe Film Festival, where it won Best Picture NM, The Stress is Killing Me is set for a wider audience. “People came up after and said, ‘You’ve got a hit!’ and I just thought, ‘I’m just trying to get it out there,’” Carroll shares. “I love live audience reactions, so I’m excited for the LA premiere.”

Early viewers have responded enthusiastically. “People love the premise—eight people fed up with their jobs switch to their dream jobs, and it all goes hilariously wrong. They keep saying, ‘What a great idea!’”

The film will be available to rent or purchase on all major North American digital platforms and DVD on March 7, 2025.

What’s Next?

Carroll is already looking ahead to future projects. “Reinvention is part of the human condition, so it’s a theme I want to keep exploring,” he says. His next film, The Dogs Who Play Baseball, is a family comedy about a group of kids in the Bronx who teach their dogs how to play baseball. “It’s funny, touching, and a great family movie.”

For now, though, Carroll is focused on bringing The Stress is Killing Me to audiences everywhere. “It’s a hilarious and heartfelt look at midlife reinvention, and I can’t wait for people to experience the laughter and surprises that come with stepping outside their comfort zones.”