Tonic

This indie film plays out like a modern-day Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Minute by minute, you feel like you're in Sebastian's shoes, digging deeper into trouble with no clear way out. The tension escalates with precision, turning what starts as a slow burn into a relentless thrill ride.

It's hard to look away. Every twist left me wondering what could possibly happen next. Just when you think the story has reached its peak, it tightens the screws even more. The pacing is sharp, the performances are raw, and the direction keeps you hooked without ever feeling forced.

A must-watch for anyone who craves gritty, character-driven thrillers with style and soul.

Billy is the endearing piano player who can't seem to catch a break and I found myself both loving/hating how he got himself in this tight spot! I thought his performance was incredible, he carried the whole film spectacularly, and the supporting cast is also quite enjoyable. As both a local Texan, and a film buff, I especially loved the unique location of the flavorful Dallas West Elm district as the seedy underbelly birthing all this incredible drama. Bravo to all involved, from the creative script, to the talented actors, the amazing production crew, and the brilliant producers for creating this must-see amazing film!

I've been watching movies since the first time went to the movies with my dad watching Richard Donner's Superman to The Black Whole to Star Wars A New Hope and on and I fell in love with cinema ever since then. I like to remain neutral and judge what I'm watching on what it's trying convey as well as how it makes me feel. If I get lost in what I'm watching for a second than it's off to a great start. Was introduced to this movie Tonic through social media and I'd didn't disappoint. I won't give anything away because I want others to form their own emotional connection to the story and the characters but for me it was an intense ride that made me feel like I was right there with the main character experiencing his ups and down and constant turmoil of how life is a funny and chaotic dance. This has humor at the right parts that kept it from being too intense but would then shock you with something unexpected around the corner. The subtle facial expressions as well as the intense eyes of the main character played by a very talented and underrated actor Billy Blair could tell a story by itself but was just icing on the cake. This movie is an instant cult classic and makes me very excited about more projects to come from the director Derek Presley and gifted actor Billy Blair and others. Great job on this project and making movies exciting again.

Admittedly a friend of my husband's is in this film and they made it in Deep Ellum, Dallas. I thought the acting was amazing. The shots were great too and it was so good to see Dallas represented on the screen.

I laughed out loud a bunch and I loved the old movie feel. It felt like an old movie but still fast paced.

My only one thing to say would be that the App it is on was a little weird. Good quality but lots of ads. And it was difficult to navigate.

Overall I loved the film and I didn't really expect to and I was definitely caught off guard when I laughed during inappropriate times. I'd definitely recommend and hope this comes out to other platforms.

Billy follows the harrowing journey of a struggling piano player trying to care for his terminally ill sister, Lori. What unfolds is a dark, emotionally charged exploration of how far someone will go to pay off a debt when life has pushed them to the edge.

The lead performance is outstanding-raw, vulnerable, and utterly compelling. Billy's descent into desperation is portrayed with nuance and intensity, and the film doesn't shy away from asking difficult questions about morality, sacrifice, and identity.

In an era where many films feel formulaic, Billy dares to be different. It brings a unique cinematic tone and vision that sets it apart. Gritty, creative, and deeply human, this is a film that lingers.

Kudos to the entire team for delivering something so original. The script is sharp, the direction confident, and the storytelling refreshingly bold.