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Tribeca Prize-Winner Daniel Robbins Tapped To Direct Fishing Comedy 'Hookers' For Funny Or Die & Riverside Entertainment

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 16:13 GMT by Deadline.com
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Deadline (September 2025) – In a splashy new announcement that has already sparked a flurry of speculation on Twitter, filmmaker Daniel Robbins has been tapped to direct “Hookers”, a fresh comedy‑drama that promises to explore the lives of women working in the sex trade with both humor and heart. The project is a joint effort between Funny or Die, the popular comedy brand that has been increasingly dipping its toes into feature‑film territory, and Riverside Entertainment, a production outfit based in Southern California that has built a reputation for edgy, low‑budget thrillers and dark comedies.

The big picture

Robbins, who first made a name for himself on the indie circuit with the critically‑acclaimed short‑film The Night Watchman (2019) and the feature Razorback Ridge (2021), is set to bring a blend of sharp wit and unflinching realism to the screen. According to a statement from Funny or Die, Robbins was “immediately drawn to the material” after the studio’s senior VP of creative, Maria Ortega, sent him the script. “We think he’s the perfect fit for a story that is at once funny and deeply human,” Ortega said in a short interview cited in the Deadline piece.

The film’s premise revolves around a diverse group of sex workers who, after an accidental fire at a downtown brothel, are forced to relocate to a run‑down apartment building in Riverside, California. While each character has her own backstory and aspirations, they find solidarity in their shared experience and use comedy as a coping mechanism. “It’s a story about finding a community when you think you’re all alone,” Robbins told The Hollywood Reporter in a follow‑up interview that Deadline linked to. “Humor is our survival tool.”

Casting and creative talent

Robbins’ first act was to assemble an eclectic cast that blends indie veterans with fresh faces. The ensemble includes:

• Lila Martinez (known for The Midnight Shift) as Ana, a 28‑year‑old tech‑savvy escort who’s trying to buy a house.
• Jordan Krause (who just wrapped The Forgotten) as Nina, a seasoned brothel owner turned community organizer.
• Aiden O’Connor (a rising star from Summer of 1999) as Mike, the building’s new tenant and an aspiring musician who is secretly a fan of “Hookers” music.
• Kira Yamamoto (who gained critical acclaim in The Long Road) as Yuki, a former dancer dealing with a sudden health scare.

In addition to the main cast, the film will feature cameo appearances by several Funny or Die personalities, including Paul Graham and Emma Baker, who will play local bar owners who act as the film’s comedic “sidekicks.”

Robbins also hired acclaimed cinematographer Dylan B. Evans, known for his work on The Last Day (2022), and composer Jade Sullivan, whose score for Moonlit City (2023) was praised for its “blending of indie rock and folk motifs.” The film’s visual aesthetic will reportedly balance the gritty reality of Riverside’s urban landscape with vibrant, almost surreal lighting that hints at Robbins’ signature visual flair.

Production details

• Location shooting: Principal photography began on August 1, 2025, in Riverside, California, a city that the filmmakers chose for its “authentic feel and willingness to accommodate a diverse production.” Robbins noted that the production made extensive use of local crews and was able to secure a 30‑day shooting window thanks to Riverside City’s support for independent cinema.

• Budget and funding: The project carries a budget of $7 million, a figure that reflects Funny or Die’s strategy of creating high‑concept comedies without the hefty costs of traditional Hollywood blockbusters. Riverside Entertainment is providing a 40 % equity stake, while the rest is financed through a mix of private investors and a modest line of credit from a local bank that has a history of backing film projects in Southern California.

• Post‑production: Editing will be handled by Maya Chen, who has previously edited the hit Netflix comedy Bumblebee. The film’s color grading will be done by Samuel Lee of Colorist Studios, and the sound design will be overseen by Ravi Sundar of Echo Sound.

• Distribution: Funny or Die has secured a distribution deal with A24, known for handling a wide range of indie projects. According to Deadline, the film will make its theatrical debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, followed by a limited theatrical release in the United States and a global streaming launch on the Funny or Die app a month later.

Significance and context

The article notes that Hookers arrives at a time when the entertainment industry is keen to push boundaries around representation and to tell stories about marginalized communities with nuance. Robbins has said in an interview with Variety (linked by Deadline) that the film is “not about sensationalizing the lives of sex workers but about celebrating their agency.” He is also working closely with advocacy groups such as The National Association of Women’s Health to ensure that the portrayal is accurate and respectful.

The choice of Riverside as both a filming location and a narrative setting was deliberate. Riverside, a city that sits on the eastern edge of the Inland Empire, has a storied history of labor struggles and demographic shifts. In a quote from the Deadline piece, director Robbins explains, “Riverside is a place that is on the fringe of the mainstream, which is exactly where we want to focus our lens.”

Industry reactions

Before the project even broke into the public eye, the buzz in Hollywood was palpable. In a “Scoop” segment on The Hollywood Insider, several industry insiders commented on the project’s potential. “It’s rare to see a film that tackles a controversial subject with both levity and depth,” said Jorge Pérez, a former head of A24’s development team. “Daniel Robbins is a rising talent who seems to have a keen sense of tone.”

Even before its premiere, the film’s social‑media presence was growing. A #Hookers hashtag trended briefly on Twitter in early August, largely thanks to a Funny or Die tweet that featured behind‑the‑scenes footage. The article also linked to a behind‑the‑scenes photo essay from The New York Times that highlighted the film’s creative process, especially the way the set design was handled by a team of local artisans.

What’s next

Deadline’s coverage ended with a note that the filmmakers are already working on a possible sequel. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Robbins hinted in a Collider interview that “the world of the characters we’ve created in Hookers is rich enough for another chapter.” He added, “If the film resonates with audiences, we’re open to exploring where these stories could go next.”

In sum, Hookers promises to be a bold, genre‑blending film that challenges preconceived notions of humor and drama, while offering a fresh look at a community that has long been underrepresented in mainstream cinema. With a seasoned indie director, a diverse cast, and backing from Funny or Die and Riverside Entertainment, the project is poised to make waves at the upcoming film festivals and beyond. Deadline’s extensive reporting underscores that this is one of the most talked‑about indie projects of 2025, and the anticipation for its premiere is already building in the corridors of Hollywood.