Cosi

Lewis Riley, a man adrift and lacking direction, struggles to hold down a job. He applies for a role as director/drama teacher at a mental hospital, where he is expected to produce a variety show aimed at the inmates’ abilities.

During auditions, manic-depressive Roy overwhelms the pushover Lewis, with Roy selecting the six cast members who will shape the show: Ruth, a suicidal woman whose rendition of “I’m So Excited” is dejected; Cherry, a woman prone to false claims of sexual harassment who lusts after Lewis; Julie, a recovering drug addict, the only one who can actually sing; Doug, a cat-burning pyromaniac; Henry, who is completely submissive to Roy; and Zac, an accordion player who aspires to play Ride of the Valkyries wearing a horned Viking helmet.

Together, they become the imperfect heartbeat of a plan to translate raw talent into performance, exploring how ambition and vulnerability collide within the institutional setting. The film uses this premise to examine power dynamics and the humanity of people inside an institution.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:12