Director: Peter Cilella
Cast: Ross Marquand, Sarah Bolger, Susan Wilder, Charlene Amoia, Dan O'Brien
Descendent is a 2025 American science fiction horror drama directed by Peter Cilella, starring Ross Marquand as a man whose life unravels after a traumatic brain injury opens the door to terrifying visions and an obsessive need to shield his growing family from a threat that may not even be real.
What is Descendent about?
When a soon-to-be father suffers a serious head injury, something in his mind shifts irreversibly. He begins seeing vivid, disturbing images of extraterrestrial figures — and, stranger still, discovers he can now render them in precise, compulsive drawings he cannot explain. As the visions grow more intense, so does his certainty that something is coming for his family. The people around him — his partner, friends, colleagues — watch him deteriorate, unsure whether he is experiencing a genuine supernatural warning or a devastating mental break. The film holds both possibilities open, letting dread build from the gap between what the protagonist sees and what others are willing to believe.
Cast & crew
Ross Marquand, best known internationally for his work in The Walking Dead, anchors the film in a physical, restrained performance that keeps the central ambiguity intact. Sarah Bolger and Susan Wilder ground the domestic scenes while Charlene Amoia, Dan O'Brien, Brandon Scott, Alexandra Barreto, and Aisha Kabia fill out the world around him. Director Peter Cilella works in the tradition of slow-burn American genre cinema, prioritizing psychological tension over spectacle.
Context & significance
Persian-speaking diaspora audiences have long embraced American science fiction and horror that centers on family vulnerability and paranoia — themes that resonate across cultures. Descendent delivers exactly that mix: a domestic drama invaded by something cosmic and inexplicable. The film is available on K-Time with a full Persian dub, making it equally accessible for family members who prefer Farsi audio. For diaspora viewers watching with a mix of generations at home, the dubbed version removes any language barrier entirely, letting the story land on its own terms.
Where & how to watch
Descendent is available now on K-Time with both a Persian dub and Persian subtitles — choose whichever suits your household. Stream it on the web, on your TV, or on your phone with no VPN required, no geo-blocking, and no extra download needed. Cancel anytime.