If you’ve ever wondered how seemingly normal people get duped into joining a cult, but were too afraid to ask, then wonder no more as that harrowing concept is the basis for a new Netflix original movie. Rebirth stars Joss Whedon regular Fran Kranz as office drone Kyle, he might be a bit of a rut, but he’s mostly happy with his lot in life. That all changes when he bumps into an old chum from college (Adam Goldberg), instead of reliving their glory days with beer pong and strip clubs, Zack talks Kyle into trying out a potentially life-altering  self-actualisation program, Rebirth. What could possibly go wrong!

Written and directed by Karl Mueller (The Devil’s Hand), Rebirth is something of a departure for Kranz who is usually used (to great effect) as comic relief. Anybody who has seen Dollhouse, Cabin in the Woods or Much Ado About Nothing will know that Kranz is a sorely underrated actor, so I’m just a little bit giddy to see him get a rare leading role. On a side note, Kranz is currently filming alongside Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey in the long awaited adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower.

Also starring includes Harry Hamlin (the original Clash of the Titans, Mad Men) and Sheryl Lee (Twin Peaks), Rebirth will be available on Netflix this Friday (July 15). Check out the trailer below.

A white-collar suburban father Kyle (Fran Kranz) who is surprised at his office by long-lost college buddy Zack (Adam Goldberg). Zack is as wild and crazy as ever, brimming with excitement about the self-actualization program he’s just finished called Rebirth. He talks Kyle into going on a weekend-long Rebirth retreat,handing over his keys, wallet, and phone. Thus begins his journey down an bizarre rabbit hole of psychodrama, seduction, and violence.