301: Enter the Exit State

301: Enter the Exit State

From Film Fights With Friends by Film Fights With Friends

April 24, 2026 · 1h 3m · Season 3 · Episode 51

About this episode

Callie Schuttera and Gabriela Ledesma discuss their new film THE EXIT STATE and the themes of modern fears and authoritarianism.

Callie Schuttera and Gabriela Ledesma are the married couple behind the award-winning production company Poison Pictures. Callie is an actress, writer, and producer, known for her breakthrough role in Zach Cregger’s, WEAPONS. Gabriela is a director, writer, and producer who has directed 3 feature films, as well as multiple short films and music videos. In this interview, we dive into their new co-written and produced feature film, THE EXIT STATE. Set in a United States spiraling toward authoritarian collapse, The Exit State follows a group of Americans fleeing south toward Mexico as violence escalates and sweeping policies turn their own country against them. Hoping to disappear quietly, the group takes refuge in what they believe is a safe house. That sense of security doesn’t last long. The shelter quickly reveals itself to be anything but safe, forcing the group to confront the horrifying reality that escape will come at a devastating and terrifying cost. Rather than leaning into speculative sci-fi tropes, the film positions its horror in recognizably modern fears. Poison Pictures is a queer-led indie production company created by Callie and Gabriela. Their first feature…

People in this episode

Guests: Callie Schuttera, Gabriela Ledesma

Topics covered

  • film production
  • independent film
  • queer cinema
  • horror
  • authoritarianism
  • interview

Keywords

  • Poison Pictures
  • THE EXIT STATE
  • Callie Schuttera
  • Gabriela Ledesma
  • independent film
  • horror
  • queer cinema

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Poison Pictures, Gravitas Ventures

Books & works: THE EXIT STATE, WEAPONS, BLUE

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