Evan Richards and Rachel Fleischer talk psychological thrills, artistic evolution, and Cognitive

“I was intrigued by the idea of having a set of characters and a situation that the audience has one initial perception of at the beginning of the story—and then by the end, that perception gets completely changed.” — Evan Richards

Filmmaker and actor Evan Richards has made a career out of surprises. From cult favorites like Society and Mute Witness to his award-winning debut feature In A Day (distributed by IFC Films and now streaming on AMC+ and Prime Video), Richards has balanced sharp intelligence with dark wit. His latest film, the Hitchcockian psychological thriller Cognitive, cements that legacy.

Distributed by Gravitas Ventures and produced through NW3 Films, Cognitive is now available on Apple TV following its theatrical run at the Lumiere Cinema in Los Angeles. The film stars Rachel Fleischer, Nina Brissey, Ratidzo Mambo, and Adam Courtin, with memorable turns by Hollywood legends Charles Fleischer (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Zodiac) and Diana Darrin (The Broken Land, Marty).

Uncover hidden truths

A supernatural thriller that keeps audiences guessing until the final frame, Cognitive follows Alisha (Rachel Fleischer), who becomes entangled with a mysterious couple that forces her to question her very identity.

“Short films are their own kind of art form,” Richards tells Film Daily. “They teach you to tell a story within limits—which helps when you scale up. Cognitive was like taking all that experience and testing it under pressure.”

Richards credits his indie sensibilities—and his collaborators—for bringing the film’s tension and texture to life. “We rehearsed a lot because the script demanded it,” he says. “Everyone—from producers Christopher Blackwell and T. Arthur Cottam to my mom, Diana Darrin—gave everything. The biggest challenge came in post: making sure sound, color, and score met our creative standard.”

New paths emerge today

“Distribution is changing almost yearly,” he adds. “It’s a yay for filmmakers—you can reach a huge audience now. Gravitas helped us get the film seen across so many platforms.”

Rachel Fleischer’s descent into the unknown

For Cognitive’s star Rachel Fleischer—an accomplished filmmaker and musician in her own right—the film demanded a dive into psychological chaos.

“I immediately connected with Alisha’s sincerity,” Fleischer says. “Even under torment, she remains true to herself from moment to moment. That’s something we can all strive for.”

Fleischer, daughter of actor-comedian Charles Fleischer, grew up immersed in creativity. After graduating from USC School of Cinematic Arts, she directed the acclaimed documentary Without A Home, released by Breaking Glass Pictures, and shorts like They’re With Me (with Jason Ritter) and The End of Love (with Madeline Zima). She’s also worked on PSAs for AARP, LensCrafters, and Hilton, and produced 761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers alongside Morgan Freeman.

Discovering inner depths

In Cognitive, Fleischer brings emotional authenticity to her most vulnerable role yet. “The scene where I’m tied up and trying to come to grips with what’s happening—it terrified me,” she says. “I had to draw on something deeply personal. Evan created a safe, intimate space where we could explore those layers.”

“Alisha is many things all at once—a hyperbolic version of being human,” Fleischer adds. “I hope audiences walk away with more compassion for how complicated people really are.”

When she’s not acting, Fleischer is preparing to release her first full-length album, produced by her husband, musician Blake Collins. “It’s hard balancing music and filmmaking with two little kids,” she laughs. “I just follow my instincts about which project needs me most.”

Cognitive opens a new chapter for indie thrillers

“People have access to entertainment on so many formats now,” Richards notes. “It’s an exciting time to be a filmmaker.”

With Cognitive, that excitement translates into a masterclass in tension, identity, and artistry—a film that recalls the best of Hitchcock and Polanski while firmly existing in the modern indie era.

Watch Cognitive — now streaming on Apple TV, and follow updates on Facebook and Instagram.