Logline

Haunted by his best friend’s death in Afghanistan, a traumatized ex-Marine travels to Puerto Rico to deliver a final letter to the fallen soldier's girlfriend—only to get sucked into a brutal local boxing circuit where he must fight his inner demons to survive.

The Synopsis

The Phantom Round follows ex-Marine Freddie Moore, who returns from Afghanistan carrying deep guilt over the death of his best friend, Javier. Haunted by visions of Javier and overwhelmed by survivor’s guilt, Freddie travels to Puerto Rico to deliver a letter to Javier’s family. There, he begins training at a local boxing gym run by Javier’s brother, Alex, and slowly forms meaningful bonds with Javier’s girlfriend Elena and her young son Diego. As Freddie fights to redeem himself in and out of the ring, his PTSD intensifies, blurring the line between memory and reality. When a dangerous local promoter threatens the family Freddie has come to care about, he must confront his demons and decide whether to keep running or finally stand and fight for the people he loves.

Director's statement

As a filmmaker, I’m drawn to stories where the past refuses to stay buried. I was shaped by films that understood something the earlier war movies never did: that for many men, the real battle begins after they come home. I watched characters in The Deer Hunter, Coming Home, and Taxi Driver return from combat carrying wounds no one could see — men haunted by what they’d done, what they’d lost, and who they’d become. Those films didn’t offer easy redemption. They showed the slow, terrifying erosion of a mind at war with itself.

That’s the kind of story I’ve always been compelled to tell. With The Phantom Round, I wanted to explore what happens when the dead don’t stay dead — when guilt takes on a face and a voice, and follows you across an ocean. Puerto Rico was never meant to be a sanctuary. It’s the place where the haunting gets louder, where every punch thrown in the ring is really a swing at the shadow inside. Boxing, for me, has always been the most honest language for that internal war: brutal, intimate, and impossible to fake.

This is a film about the violence we inherit and the violence we carry — and the desperate, dangerous choice to finally turn and face it.

Director's statement

This thrilling narrative resonates deeply in today's world, mirroring the struggles of countless veterans who return from war bearing not only physical wounds but also the invisible scars of survivor's guilt. Freddie's odyssey reflects the struggles of integrating into a society that may not fully grasp the complexities of the internal wars he fights. It under-scores the ongoing battles with trauma and the intricate tapestry of relationships that can provide both solace and turbulence in the face of personal demons.

Continued

FACE YOUR DEAMONS AND FIGHT

Writer & Director
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Jeffrey, a filmmaker raised in both Detroit and France, transitioned from an award-winning advertising creative director to directing. He has created six short films, a feature documentary, and garnered recognition at 35 international film festivals. Notably, his film "FIVE" earned him the Best Director award at the Madrid International Film Festival and the Best Film award at Italy's Verci di Luci Film Festival. His filmography includes noteworthy works like "AMERICAN AUTO," "ESPERAME," "SPERFECT," "MUSEUM FOR THE PEOPLE," "NO PLACE TO FALL," and "ANNIVERSARIO," the latter securing him the Best Director title at the Rhode Island International Film Festival. He has collaborated globally, benefiting from guidance by mentors such as Judy Hoffman, Albert Maysles, and Wim Wenders. An alumnus of the Berlinale Talent Campus and Reykjavik International Film Festival Talent Lab, he is also a proud member of the Directors Guild of America.
Executive Producer
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Maeliosa Tiernan is an award-winning producer with a global presence in both film and television. Her work with companies like Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Lexus has garnered international acclaim, with her films and documentaries winning recognition at renowned festivals worldwide. As an executive producer, Tiernan's strategic vision has been crucial to the success of numerous productions, earning her widespread recognition. With production ties in Los Angeles and Dublin, she has a significant influence in the entertainment industry. Notably, Tiernan has shot on all seven continents, demonstrating her commitment to navigating diverse production crews, cultures, and landscapes.
Producer
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Javier Enrique Perez is one of Puerto Rico's most established producers and first assistant directors in the film industry. With an impressive career, his portfolio includes notable projects such as "Stranded in Paradise" (TV Movie), where he served as a producer on, "Incógnita" (TV Series), and "Looking for Maria Sanchez," for which he was the producer in 2013. Additionally, Javier worked as a producer for "Infiltrados" (TV Movie) in 2010. He has solidified his position as a prominent figure in the Puerto Rican film industry, known for his outstanding work in production and direction.
Cinematographer
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Nicolas Trovato is a renowned Argentine cinematographer recognized for his exceptional work in both film and television. With notable credits including "Cosmic Chaos" (2023), "A Trip to the Moon" (2017), and "Asfixiados" (2023), Trovato has solidified his reputation as a master of visual storytelling.
His cinematic talents have earned him widespread acclaim, with six of his movies available on Netflix, a testament to his global reach and popularity. Trovato's keen eye for composition and lighting has brought depth and richness to each project he undertakes, captivating audiences worldwide.
As one of Argentina's top cinematographers, Trovato continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with his innovative techniques and unparalleled dedication to his craft.
Production Designer
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Gerardo Vega is a Puerto Rican production designer celebrated for crafting emotionally resonant and culturally grounded environments whose visual craftsmanship brings cinematic stories to life through immersive, authentic environments. With a foundation deeply rooted in cultural nuance and spatial storytelling, Vega's designs elevate narrative intention, weaving aesthetic detail with emotional resonance. His credits include Esta Isla (2025), Ma, Despierta (2025), Extortion (2017), and The Vessel (2016), among others. Vega’s designs are defined by their authenticity, narrative alignment, and meticulous attention to texture and space. Rooted in architectural and artistic influences, his work transforms physical settings into immersive storytelling spaces.
SFX Makeup Head
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Douglas Noe, born on January 18 in Seoul, South Korea, is a distinguished Hollywood makeup artist whose career spans over three decades. An award-winning talent, Noe has been recognized with three Emmy nominations, including a win for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special for Stephen King's The Shining (1997). He has also received five Makeup Artist and Hairstylist (MUAHS) Award nominations, with two wins.
Noe’s extensive filmography boasts an impressive array of high-profile projects, including World War Z (2013), Planet of the Apes (2001), Spider-Man 3 (2007), I Saw the Light (2015), and Birth of a Nation (2016). Notably, his work on The Fighter (2010), a critically acclaimed boxing film, contributed significantly to the film’s authentic portrayal of the sport. His other notable credits include The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), The Lion King (2019), The Mummy (2017), Sucker Punch (2011), Watchmen (2009), Hannibal (2001), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and Sin City (2005).
On top of these impressive credits, Noe is best known for his role as Tom Hiddleston’s personal makeup artist since The Avengers (2012), designing all of Loki’s looks throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
SFX Makeup
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Known for her work on the box office hit OBSESSION, she has been Inspired by the TV show Supernatural, Alyssa first explored SFX makeup when she dressed up as a character for Comic-Con and tried out a slit-throat effect. After receiving enthusiastic feedback, she decided to pursue Special Effects (SFX) makeup and quickly developed a passion for the craft, particularly enjoying the challenge of creating effects that shock and gross people out. With seven years of experience, Alyssa has expanded her skill set to include beauty, film, and character makeup. In 2019, she graduated from Hollywood’s Cinema Makeup School with the Complete Track and is a member of IATSE Local 706.
Alyssa's notable credits include work on Paper Flowers (2024) as Assistant Makeup Artist, Nyctophobia (2024) as Key Makeup Artist and Special Makeup Effects Artist, and Dutch II: Angel's Revenge (2024) as Special Makeup Effects Artist. She has also contributed her talents to projects such as Heart Beats (2024), Lift (2023), The Quiet Games (2023), and Curse of Crom: The Legend of Halloween (2022). Always pushing her creative boundaries, Alyssa continues to lend her expertise to both independent films and larger productions.