About Even The Darkness

Promotional poster for the movie 'Even the Darkness' featuring a young man holding a smartphone, surrounded by characters in a dark, foggy forest with a ship and a rowboat on water.

Welcome to the prelude of a much bigger story…

When forced to visit family property near a Native American Reservation in the Pacific Northwest, teenage Josh’s unwelcome gift of second sight intensifies, further alienating him from his father.

As vanishing girls and strange lights emerge from the shadows, creatures lurking just out of sight, and ancient treasure awaiting discovery, Josh questions if he’s losing his mind or if everyone else is simply blind. He finds himself caught between two powerful strangers who hold the keys to unlocking these mysteries, but which one knows the truth? Or do they both?

Follow Josh, his family, and new friends as they navigate the unveiling of the unseen: realm of what you “think” just lives in your imagination, dreams, and nightmares - the place which holds the echoes of history, waiting to be revealed.

As horrible events threaten to destroy lives on the reservation, will Josh embrace his gift in time? Or will the powers of darkness and his rational mind silence the warning voice within?

Cast & Characters

  • A young man with messy hair, wearing a dirty yellow long-sleeve shirt and dark pants, sitting on the forest floor amidst green foliage, looking distressed with a worried expression.

    Joshua Clay

    Played by Raphael Ruggero

    Josh Clay is unwillingly thrust into the world of the supernatural: he sees into another realm. Josh has a strained relationship with his father, is a talented social media influencer, dependent on the internet and ends up on a family trip, unplugged in nowhere.

  • An elderly man with glasses and long gray hair, wearing a gray denim shirt, standing outside near a wooden structure with greenery in the background.

    Silas Medicine Eagle

    Played by Bennie Nelson

    Silas is a humble and wise Native American elder who carries authority in every word he speaks and every step he takes. A former medicine man, and seasoned wood carver who carries the great injustices of the past in his blood, and his prayers.

  • A man with black outfit and earrings is making a gesture with his hand at night, illuminated by a dim, moody light with blurred headlights in the background.

    Kain Malidonado

    Played by Diego Rodriguez

    Kain is intelligent, charismatic, and unexplainably manipulative, owns a paranormal tour business, and operates in New Age spirituality. Although his Native blood quantum does not qualify him for tribal membership, Kain acts like he owns the Te’ko’ish Lands. He strives for affirmation & position, is driven by greed & power, and desires notoriety.

  • A woman with black hair, wearing colorful beaded earrings and dark clothing, looking intently at someone in a forest setting.

    Nina Long

    Played by: Baby Clarissa Morninggun

    Nina is a winsome but fiery Native teen who is driven by justice, has an uncanny ability for sleuthing, carries her people’s historical wounds along with her own personal grief.

  • A man wearing a black cap with 'MERCI' written on it, a denim jacket, and a dark shirt, looking to the side, in a forested area with green foliage.

    Sky Nelson

    Played by Jess Oldham

    Sky is sensitive, caring, humorous, and intelligent. Despite growing up on the remote Te’ko’ish Reservation, he has a deep love of history, a clear pulse on popular culture, a knack for business, and a deep love for his people and family. A bridge builder, unique, eccentric, and a contradiction to some.

  • Smiling girl with curly hair in two buns, wearing a plaid shirt, sitting in a car with a seatbelt, with a paper bag nearby.

    Piper Clay

    Played by Alexandria Bell

    Piper is a happy, fun-loving, brainy girl with a near-photographic memory. Adored by all and the apple of her daddy’s eye, Piper was adopted before the age of 3 by the Clay family. Piper feels totally at home wherever she is— as long as she has her iPad for research.

  • A man wearing a black jacket and a black cap standing in a wooded area during daytime, holding a metal container, with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.

    Sam Clay

    Played by Jack Kelly

    College professor Samuel Clay loves his kids and wants the best for them, but is often abrupt and frustrated; his cerebral nature and unresolved issues with his own father keep Josh at arm’s length. The family camping trip takes him back to some painful childhood memories.

  • Close-up of a woman with brown hair wearing a straw visor, floral shirt, and hoop earrings, looking sideways with a neutral expression, outdoors in a green, leafy setting.

    Lindy Clay

    Played by Charissa Graniero

    Social worker Lindy Clay in on her own quest for spirituality, is free-spirited, intuitive and sensitive, a defender of children who moves with ease and has an openness to Josh’s supernatural visions. She carries a ukulele, has a cheerful disposition and is often a go-between for her husband and son.

  • A woman with black hair, wearing earrings and a black shirt, standing near a marina with boats and water in the background on a cloudy day.

    Angel Nelson Long

    Played by Amber Cantu 

    Angel is a woman defined by her quiet strength and deep love for her children. Despite a past of secrets and struggles, she is emotionally wise and resilient, always stepping up for her family. She is a compassionate and capable woman who, on the rare moments when she lets her guard down, has a truly great laugh.

  • A young man with short dark hair is partially illuminated in a dark, forest setting, with greenery visible in the background.

    Jesse Long

    Played by Fiyero Barehand

    Jesse is a young man with a quiet determination to be seen and understood. Beneath a guarded exterior lies a deep desire to please and a powerful, hidden gift. Though often overlooked, he is driven by an emotional core that makes him far more capable and resilient than he appears.

Meet the Creators

The brilliant minds behind the creation of Even The Darkness

  • A born storyteller, Michael has produced and directed award-winning films and documentaries specializing in natural disasters and racial reconciliation for over 40 years. As founder of Global Net Productions and SendRain Films, he has developed feature films and syndicated television, providing a wealth of content for a compelling episodic series. 

    When Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, Michael was one of the first cinematographers to photograph the devastation from the ground. Caught in the second-largest eruption, his camera crew barely escaped alive. Michael experienced a dramatic supernatural encounter at the volcano that changed his life and opened his eyes to the mysterious unseen realm. 

  • With experience in project development, research, script writing, and all phases of production and editing, Shari has been a producing partner with Michael for over 35 years. Shari values excellence and efficiency in visual details and enjoys polishing projects in the post-production phase. Shari directs LifeNet Media Resources, a 501c3 non-profit, and currently manages Global Network Productions, Inc., SendRain Films LLC, and Common Clay Pictures, Inc. 

    As "Mama" to nine amazing humans, and "Mimi" to a bunch of beautiful grandchildren, Shari's passions are family, adoption advocacy, championing inspiring stories, and partnering with her husband and family in various media adventures. 

Portrait of an older man with gray hair and a white beard, smiling outdoors, wearing a dark blue dress shirt.

  • Bob Maddux is a skilled and seasoned writer, producer and director of media content of many kinds and has spent years bringing artists together to collaborate in storytelling. Also an award winning author, Bob has written six books in both fiction and non-fiction genres including his most recent, Reluctantly Supernatural in an Age of Reason. Always championing other creatives and projects, Bob has produced and directed various films and documentaries including the award-winning Mzungu, and is currently directing the documentary movie, I Am Living Proof, as well as developing a TV series based on his novel Andrew’s Choice. Bob is also the Founding Pastor of Trinity Church, San Diego, where he served as senior pastor from 1988 to 2015, and along with his wife Claudia, is co-founder of Project Compassion, a medical mission which has served and treated over 200,000 people in 22 countries around the world.

A smiling woman with red hair styled in an updo, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and a black top, standing against a backdrop with logos of Even the Darkness.

  • Larisa Koenig has dedicated her professional career to serving Native Americans and Alaska Natives as an educator, mental health provider, and supervisor of tribal child welfare. She serves as an Indian Child Welfare Act Qualified Expert Witness as well as a cultural advisor and indigenous advocate. Larisa is an enrolled member of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, represents the Double Fin Killer Whale House, and is the 6th-generation granddaughter of Haida Chief Yeltatzie.

Join us in exploring more of the unseen…

The first five episodes of Even the Darkness are complete, but our journey is just beginning. To bring the full series to life, we need your support to gain traction and find distribution.

You are a vital part of our community. You can help by:

  • Sharing the Story: Spread the word about Even the Darkness with friends and family.

  • Engaging Online: Follow and share our posts on social media.

  • Becoming an Insider: Join our email list to receive exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else.