Happy Birthday is a 2016 American horror-thriller film directed by Casey Tebo. The film was written by Tebo and Robby O'Brien. It features a cast including Matt Mercer, Britni Thornton, and musician Steven Tyler in a cameo role.
Plot
The film follows Brady, who travels to Mexico with his girlfriend and friends for a birthday celebration. What begins as a fun-filled trip quickly descends into a nightmarish ordeal as the group becomes entangled with a dangerous local drug cartel. Their festivities turn into a desperate fight for survival as they are pursued and tormented, leading to a brutal struggle for their lives.
Cast
- Matt Mercer as Brady
- Britni Thornton as Katie
- Steven Tyler as Casino Owner (cameo)
- Robert DeLeo as El Gato
- Erik Christensen as Mike
- Jeff Nichols as Rick
- David Naughton as The Collector
- Sean Cook as Carlos
- Vanessa Nicole as Maria
- Rob Mello as Mr. Wonderful
Production
Happy Birthday was an independent production. Director Casey Tebo also served as one of the writers. Steven Tyler, known primarily as the lead singer of Aerosmith, made a guest appearance in the film.
Reception
Upon its release, Happy Birthday received generally negative reviews from critics and audiences, often cited for its B-movie aesthetic, predictable plot, and graphic violence. It was largely distributed through video-on-demand services.