Mia Goth, Zach Galifianakis Star in ‘Hey Bear’: Jonathan Krisel’s Directorial Debut Unveiled!

Jonathan Krisel, best known for his work on “Portlandia,” is venturing into the realm of feature films with his initial project titled “Hey Bear.” This innovative revenge comedy will feature performances by Mia Goth (“Frankenstein”), Zach Galifianakis (“The Hangover trilogy”), and Dan Stevens (“I’m Your Man”).

Scripted by Emmy winner Carrie Kemper of “Beef” fame, “Hey Bear” presents itself as a “coming of rage” tale. This unique comedy revolves around a woman who plots revenge against the bear that devoured her husband. The film is being produced by Alix Madigan, known for her work on “Winter’s Bone.”

The film “Hey Bear” will be showcased to potential buyers at AFM, with HanWay Films overseeing international sales and both WME Independent & UTA Independent Film Group managing sales in North America.

In “Hey Bear,” Mia Goth portrays Claire, a woman whose life has been dictated by the expectations of others. Married to Gregory (Dan Stevens), she supports his passion for studying bears at Glacier National Park, which often means spending extended periods apart. During a visit, a grizzly bear known as Mr. Cranky kills Gregory. Initially informed by park rangers that Mr. Cranky was euthanized, Claire later discovers that the bear was simply relocated to another park and continues to thrive. This revelation spurs the typically mild-mannered Claire to seek vengeance. She enlists the help of Putt (Galifianakis), a socially inept park ranger with his own hidden agenda, to help her kill Mr. Cranky. As they delve deeper into their quest, they encounter death and deception, propelling Claire on a transformative journey of empowerment and self-realization, all set against the stunning backdrop of the national park. The film promises a darkly humorous and thrilling “coming of rage” story filled with twists and turns.

Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Films, expressed excitement about the project, citing its exceptional originality and engaging narrative. “Despite the story’s outlandish premise, it deeply resonates with the audience, particularly through Claire’s transformative journey from grief to reclaiming her life,” Stewart remarked. She praised the casting of Mia Goth, Dan Stevens, and Zach Galifianakis as a perfect combination to bring both humor and emotional depth to the film.

Executive producers for the film include Carrie Kemper and Danica Radovanov. Representations include Krisel by UTA and Mosaic, Kemper by UTA, Goth by WME, Curtis Brown, and Jackoway Austen, Galifianakis by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and UTA, and Stevens by CAA and Julian Belfrage Associates.