A Castle on the Hill

By invitation only.

ACE HIGH presents

A Castle on the Hill

A spirited, struggling actor steps into the lavish world of a nepo-baby director when he lands the lead role in his movie. While falling in love with the director's girlfriend, he's forced to choose between the simple life he had and the life he dreams of.

Scroll to learn more about the 100-minute feature

The Setting

Two worlds.

One rents. One inherits. Somewhere between them is the hill.

I.

The one at the bottom.

Rent overdue. Lights flickering. Three friends, one bathroom, and dreams that don't quite fit in the apartment.

II.

The one at the top.

Glass walls. Gold watches. Pools lit from beneath. A house where the doors are always open — if you were invited.

The Story

Three Acts. One Hill.

A hundred minutes of dark comedy, cinematic grit, and a worship of the American dream.

I

The Invitation

Three roommates scrape by in Los Feliz. A last-minute audition. A mansion on a hill. A girlfriend who looks at our hero like he's more than just someone's best friend.

II

The Corruption

Pool days and late nights. A missing watch, a hospital bill, and a scheme that crosses a line nobody intended to cross. Somewhere along the way, Cal stops coming home.

III

The Fall

A party at the Chateau. A father and a son. A railing on the third floor. Some doors, once opened, never close. The rest is not ours to spoil.

All that glitters is not gold.
— William Shakespeare

The Look

None of that
high-def bullshit.

Why does every movie look like a YouTube video now? A Castle on the Hill is different. It's gritty, but warm. Lo-fi, but romantic. Color lives in little details — the shimmering gold of a glass of whiskey, the dust green of the billiards room. Think The Holdovers meets Good Time.

References

  • Saltburn 2023
  • Boogie Nights 1997
  • Talented Mr. Ripley 1999
  • Mulholland Drive 2001
  • Drive 2011
  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2019

The Movement

More than a movie.

01

A conversation piece.

Nepo-babies. Soul selling. The darkness under Hollywood. The things our generation is actually arguing about.

02

A cultural reference.

Built to be quoted. Designed to be dressed up as. Scored to be added to everyone's most played playlist.

03

A sign of the times.

A timeless parable in a modern key. The kind of story people point back to in ten years and say that one.

Ace High

The Creators

Two writers. One story, born in a sophomore-year dorm at NYU. Inspired by real events and real people.

Deacon Phillippe and Oscar Cellura, shot on Kodak 400TX Deacon and Oscar — portrait 1 Deacon and Oscar — portrait 2 Deacon and Oscar — portrait 3 Deacon and Oscar — portrait 4 Deacon and Oscar — portrait 5 Deacon and Oscar — portrait 6

Deacon Phillippe

Co-writer · Actor · Filmmaker

Performer and storyteller from Los Angeles. Raised around the machinery of the industry, writing his way out of it.

  • Lead & EP · Brother Save Us 2026
  • Recurring · Motorheads Prime Video
  • Guest star · Never Have I Ever Netflix #1
  • Debut LP · A New Earth 2023

Oscar Cellura

Co-writer · Filmmaker · Musician

Writer and musician from Manhasset, Long Island. 100+ live shows in the US. Producer of Deacon's debut LP.

  • Producer · A New Earth 2023
  • NYU Recorded Music
  • 100+ live shows · US + China tour

Contact

Contact us.

If you've made it this far down the hill, we want to hear from you.

film@acastleonthehill.com
Compose