“Vespertine” is the new pilot script from writer-director Lauri Levenfeld. It's a psychological thriller that boldly explores female friendship and the raw, often hidden emotions that shape women’s lives. Set against the burning, mythical backdrop of the desert, “Vespertine” follows four women as they face personal trauma, the weight of patriarchy, and the struggles of midlife identity.
At the center of the story is Veronica "V" Lee, played by Brittany Ishibashi, a successful entertainment lawyer whose seemingly perfect life falls apart after a violent assault. Her trauma leads her into a downward spiral of pills, parties, and emotional disconnection. It is a bold, emotional story of healing and revenge that has sparked real-life community and conversation around healing and mental health. Just when things hit rock bottom, three childhood friends—Cassy, Marlowe, and Frankie—reunite to help her. What begins as an act of support soon unfolds into a transformative and mystical journey.
Together, the women revisit a life-changing moment from their past—an eerie encounter with an angel of death in a shadowy valley—an experience they believed would alter the course of their lives forever. As twilight descends, they rediscover their collective strength and are drawn to the elusive Vespertine, a poisonous desert flower promising a quick “die or awaken” micro-dose. The flower becomes a symbol of everything they’ve buried—grief, rage, and silence.
Lauri Levenfeld tells this story from a deeply feminine point of view—not just in theme, but in how it’s told. She shows darkness not as something to run from, but as a place where growth begins. Inspired by her own healing journey, Levenfeld reminds us that the broken parts of ourselves are also the ones that hold the most power.
“What blooms for our four heroines as their stories of pain and loss are revealed is a vulnerability and sisterhood that become their ultimate source of healing—and this is all they need. This acceptance of their darkness propels something mysterious, beautiful, and unforeseen,” Lauri Levenfeld says.
The direction and the 95% female production crew bring the world of Vespertine to life in a lush, grounded way. It redefines how we see women and invites the audience into a space of emotional transformation and strength.
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Beyond the screen, Vespertine is already having a real-world impact through Village Queens, a community project inspired by the show. Through events, conversations, and healing spaces, it brings the story’s message to life, making storytelling a tool for activism and connection.
Lauri Levenfeld is an award-winning producer, director, and writer dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and empowering creatives through storytelling. “As a filmmaker, I am committed to women's stories, mentoring and supporting women creatives, and championing women's voices by presenting an authentic female gaze as our new lens,” she claims.
In the end, Vespertine is a powerful reflection on what happens when women take their pain, their trauma, their rage, and their friendship and turn them into action. The result is something bright, something dangerous, and absolutely necessary.
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