THE APEX TIMES
Ron Livingston to Co-Star With Alex Borstein and June Squibb in Indie Dramedy ‘Turn the Lights Back On’
Livingston joins Alex Borstein and June Squibb in an upcoming film from writer-director Dave Pantano, a darkly comedic story about family, loneliness, and re-connection after years of emotional distance.
Ron Livingston is set to star alongside Alex Borstein and June Squibb in the indie dramedy Turn the Lights Back On, according to Deadline. The project is being made by writer-director Dave Pantano, and the casting announcement places Livingston among two established performers known for blending comedy with grounded character work.
Deadline described Turn the Lights Back On as a darkly comedic film that centers on family, loneliness, and the complicated ways people reconnect after years of emotional separation. The story is set against what the trade publication characterized as the lingering aftermath of emotional distance, with the characters facing the practical and personal challenges of trying to reestablish closeness.
In the announcement, Deadline framed the film as an effort to explore how reconnection can be messy, uneven, and shaped by time, rather than a single dramatic reconciliation moment. The premise, as outlined in the report, suggests the characters’ attempts at re-engagement involve both everyday behavior and deeper emotional stakes that have been left unresolved.
Pantano is credited as the writer-director on Turn the Lights Back On. Deadline’s report presents the film as indie, with the casting forming a core piece of the production’s early public profile as it moves toward filming.
The casting trio combines Livingston with Borstein and Squibb. Deadline’s report did not provide additional casting beyond Livingston’s attachment, and it did not specify the production timeline, shooting locations, or release plans in the item provided for this update.
As with many indie films at the casting stage, next steps typically include finalizing the remaining cast, locking principal production dates, and setting distribution and rights arrangements for domestic and international markets. For audiences, the announcement indicates another opportunity to see Livingston in a dramedy framework alongside high-profile comedic and character performers.
For the industry, Turn the Lights Back On represents continued demand for mid-sized, character-driven projects that can appeal to both art-house and mainstream audiences, particularly when led by performers with established comedic range and dramatic credibility.
Why It Matters
- Casting announcements can clarify which performers will carry a character-driven indie film, shaping early audience expectations and industry interest.
- For producers and distributors, adding recognizable talent can affect financing conversations, marketing plans, and rights negotiations as the project moves toward production.
- The film’s focus on family and loneliness indicates a likely audience pull toward relationship-focused storytelling rather than genre spectacle.
- The next public milestones will typically be additional casting and formal production and release timelines as the project advances from pre-production.
Sources
Key Facts
- Ron Livingston will star in the indie dramedy Turn the Lights Back On.
- The film is written and directed by Dave Pantano.
- Turn the Lights Back On stars Alex Borstein and June Squibb, and Livingston joins them, Deadline reported.
- Deadline described the movie as a darkly comedic film about family, loneliness, and reconnecting after years of emotional distance.
- The project is described as set against the lingering aftermath of that emotional separation.