Director Tyler-Marie Evans Shines Light on Hollywood’s Dark Side in Debut Feature ‘Pretty Babies’

Tyler-Marie Evans is stepping behind the camera for the first time with ‘Pretty Babies‘, an unflinching drama that peels back Hollywood’s glamorous facade to explore the exploitation, vulnerability and desperation that can accompany the pursuit of fame.

The film features Ashley Benson, Emily Alyn Lind, Madelaine Petsch and Sadie Stanley in leading roles. Evans not only directs the project but also penned the screenplay, while Benson, Christine Vachon and Jordan Wagner round out the producing team.

The story follows two teenage girls fleeing their small-town Texas life with big dreams of becoming Hollywood actresses. But the glittering promise of stardom quickly gives way to a grim reality they never anticipated.

As the pair’s journey from Texas to California progresses, they find themselves trapped in the sex-work industry. Their bond fractures under the weight of exploitation as they come face-to-face with a world built on vulnerability and false promises one where chasing success comes with devastating consequences.

Through a distinctly female lens, Evans examines themes of disillusionment and exploitation in an industry designed to capitalize on artifice and appearance. The film doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath Hollywood’s polished surface.

Benson takes on the role of Sapphire, opposite Lind’s Marie, Petsch’s Gemma and Stanley’s Luna. Supporting players include Elias Kacavas, DeVaughn Nixon and Wyatt Yang.

Notably, Benson’s involvement extends beyond acting she’s also a producer on the film, giving her a voice in shaping the project both in front of and behind the camera. The production brings together Killer Films and Wagner Entertainment, with veteran indie producer Vachon lending her expertise to the endeavor.

Evans has spent years honing her craft through narrative shorts, fashion films and commercials before tackling her feature debut. ‘Pretty Babies‘ represents her most ambitious work to date a stylish yet melancholic exploration of how the American dream can turn nightmare for the young and vulnerable.

The film is set to world premiere at the 2026 Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 14, competing in the festival’s main slate. At 92 minutes, ‘Pretty Babies‘ announces Evans as a filmmaker unafraid to tackle complex, provocative subject matter.

Rather than romanticize the entertainment industry, Evans uses her story to expose how dreams of fame can become dangerous when young people encounter an industry fundamentally built on power, image and the exploitation of the vulnerable.