‘Vanished’ Cast Talk Twisty-Turny Thriller’s Sobering Social Message, Stars Sizzle ATL Premiere [Exclusive]

Atlanta gathered for the premiere screening of Vanished, a suspense thriller that blends psychological tension with a sobering social message. The red carpet event brought together cast members, producers, and notable guests for a night that balanced cinematic suspense with real-world urgency.

Starring Shaquita Smith, O’Shea Russell, and Erica Pinkett, Vanished follows an ambitious young woman whose life spirals after she discovers a dead body and uncovers a criminal organization tied to a series of disturbing secrets.

What begins as a perfect life quickly descends into a nightmare marked by betrayal, lies, and murder.

A Thriller With Purpose

Producer Donna Christopher said the film’s message is what initially drew her to the project.

“It’s a great story, but it also has a message behind it,” Christopher shared. “So many missing people, missing Black women. That was one of the reasons why I loved this project so much.”

Actor Chris Rumble, who plays a hitman in the film, said being part of the project forced him to confront the weight of the story from a perspective he had not previously considered.

“I’m looking forward to the impact of this film in terms of the story and how much it is needed for there to be an awareness of what goes on on a regular basis,” Rumble said. “For me, as a 65 year old white man, I was not as aware of the story behind the story as I needed to be, and to be in the middle of it, and to be a part of the problem as a hitman, it really brought it home to me.”

Lead actress Shaquita Smith echoed that sentiment, emphasizing awareness and advocacy as the film’s driving force.

“I want people to take away awareness,” Smith said. “If you see something, say something. It’s about highlighting disappearing Black women and we’re normalizing the opportunity to be an advocate for women and children.”

Complex Characters And Breaking Expectations

Actor O’Shea Russell spoke about stepping into a role that challenges perception.

“You can’t judge a book by its cover,” Russell said. “This character doesn’t embody everything I believe in. Like being loving, cherishing and being a provider, being a protector. That’s my first nature as a person. But as a character, he’s kind of vindictive. I hope people take away from this film to not always believe what you see.”

Actor Rod Minger welcomed the chance to move beyond familiar roles.

“I’m finally in a film where I’m not the comedic relief,” he said. “So I’m looking forward to people seeing me play in different character tropes.”

Princess Elmore, who portrays Dr. Patrice Taylor, described the emotional range required for her role.

“My character has so many different emotions and reactions,” Elmore said. “I had to be sure to consider everything she was going through, but also add a twist to make sure it fit me.”

Centering Awareness And Black Women’s Safety

Actress Shanell Brooks stressed the importance of everyday vigilance.

“Even when you’re going through your normal routine you need to be aware of your surroundings,” Brooks said. “This is a topic that needed to be discussed.”

Producer Dr. Regina O framed the evening as both celebration and responsibility.

“These types of incidents occur more often than we know,” she said. “As a culture I hope we take more pride in protecting our people and being extremely cautious about our children.”

Actress Audra Nicole added that the film should help push missing Black women into national conversations.

“When our people go missing, it should be a bigger deal,” she said. “I’m hoping this sparks a national conversation around the lack of exposure we receive.”

A Star Studded Atlanta Showing

The premiere drew a mix of industry figures and supporters, including Karlie Redd, Mimi Faust, Clifton Powell, London Deelishis Charles, Chrystale Wilson, Dennis LA White, Demetria McKinney, Lisa Wu, and more, underscoring Atlanta’s continued role as a hub for Black film and television.

Supporters like Keith Swift Jr. also pulled up to show love for the cast, sharing excitement to see O’Shea Russell “come in here and do his thing,” while attendee Mz Coxx said she hoped the film would encourage viewers to be “more mindful of their surroundings.”

As anticipation built ahead of the screening, attendees expressed excitement for the film’s twists and layered storytelling.

“I’m excited to see the twists and the turns,” Jeff Logan said. “This is sharing a real issue, but it’ll be interesting to see how different each character is from the rest of the group.”

Why Vanished Is Worth Watching

Produced by Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Donte Don Lee, Audra Nicole, and Donna Christopher, and directed by Reel Rebel Films, Vanished blends suspense, thriller, and drama to tell a story that feels timely and unsettling.

According to the official synopsis: a birthday night turns terrifying when Shavon Taylor discovers a hidden room, a dead body, and evidence of a horrifying secret at the clinic where she works. The next morning, she wakes up bruised, disoriented, and is told it was all a dream. But the body was real, and so is the danger. The evidence has vanished, her phone has been wiped, and someone is watching her, gaslighting her at every turn. As Shavon digs deeper and follows a trail of missing women, she is torn between staying silent and risking everything to expose the truth. With her life unraveling and no one left to trust, she is forced to team up with her ex, a local reporter chasing his own big story, as the danger grows closer to home.

While the film promises tension and unexpected reveals, its message remains clear. Pay attention. Ask questions. Protect Black women.

Vanished is now streaming exclusively on Tubi, inviting audiences to experience the mystery and engage with a story that refuses to look away.

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