Exclusive Trailer for The Misconceived by James N. Kienitz Wilkins, Scheduled for Release in May

      We are excited to announce that Monument Releasing has secured the rights to James N. Kienitz Wilkins’ film The Misconceived, which debuted in the Harbour section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and recently had its U.S. premiere as the Opening Night feature of Museum of the Moving Image’s First Look 2026. Monument Releasing plans to begin a U.S. theatrical release with a special 35mm screening at Anthology Film Archives from May 8 to May 14. Alongside these acquisition details, we are delighted to present the premiere of the film’s first trailer and poster.

      The Misconceived, co-written by Robin Schavoir, is a tragicomedy that examines millennials reaching the age of forty and continues the story of Tyler from The Plagiarists (2019). This 3D-rendered feature centers on home renovation while serving as a sharp and humorous critique of the working conditions faced by today’s creative class.

      The film features performances by Jesse Wakeman (Donald Cried, Bruce!!!!), Jess Barbagallo, John Magary (Between the Temples), and Callie Hernandez (La La Land, Alien: Covenant). The project is executive produced by Joey Frank (Manda Bala [Send a Bullet]) and produced by Emily Davis and James N. Kienitz Wilkins (The Republic).

      In his review for IFFR, Rory O’Connor remarked, “After seven years since their collaboration on The Plagiarists, writers James N. Kienitz Wilkins and Robin Schavoir present The Misconceived—yet another insightful and innovative film addressing the anxieties of the creative class that feels perpetually unaccomplished. Directed by Peter Parlow, their previous work played with found-footage horror conventions to explore untested urban liberalism along with the oppressive forces of artistic authenticity and writer’s block. The Misconceived—characterized in promotional materials as a biting satire—successfully lives up to that description, presenting visually challenging content while delving into similarly profound themes and embracing formal experimentation.”

      James N. Kienitz Wilkins (director/co-writer) is a filmmaker, artist, and writer based in New York City. His works have been screened extensively at festivals such as TIFF, Berlinale, NYFF, Locarno, Rotterdam, CPH:DOX, ND/NF, Viennale, MoMA Doc Fortnight, and others. In 2017, he participated in the Whitney Biennial. His work has been the subject of retrospectives at RIDM (Montreal, 2017) and Metrograph Cinema (NYC, 2024). His filmography includes Still Film (2023), The Plagiarists (2019), The Republic (2017), Common Carrier (2017), and Public Hearing (2012). His writing has been featured in Filmmaker Magazine, Triple Canopy, the Brooklyn Rail, and MUBI Notebook.

      Check out the exclusive trailer and poster debut below.