Astor William Stevenson is on the verge of a big step in his career, but when his girlfriend leaves him, insecurities surface and he transforms into a wrecking ball on a stream of darkly comedic dates and misguided romantic pursuits.

American filmmaker Adam Christian Clark directs and stars in this jet-black comedy centered around the LA dating scene, as a self-obsessed filmmaker who finds himself on the market once again. The film is darkly funny and sometimes brutal. After ridiculing his girlfriend, director Astor Williams Stevenson finds himself single and trying to discover what exactly he wants. At the same time, he attempts to get a film off the ground and soon learns that his creative vision will not align with that of his crew. As Astor goes on a number of dates, his abrasiveness and cynical attitude towards life seems to become ever more crystallized. The film's centerpiece is a fearless performance from Clark as he embodies a man whose self-loathing is hidden by arrogance. Yet, for all his bluff and bluster Clark manages to add a sheen of vulnerability to make Astor a compelling and sympathetic character. While the film is reminiscent of great American cinema of the 1970s (with some slight echoes of the works of Woody Allen) with a somewhat staccato structure made up of disparate moments, this is still a thoroughly modern affair replete with some graphic sexuality and an often-harsh takedown on modern views of dating. Despite its moments of cynicism, this also manages to be a witty, funny must for all those who appreciate strong voices in American cinema.—Laurence Boyce

Set against the artistically vibrant and yet often isolating landscape of Los Angeles, "Newly Single" provides a candid look at the post-breakup journey, filled with uncomfortable truths, moments of humor, and the undeniable need for human connection. Through Astor's eyes, the audience is forced to confront the paradox of choice in modern dating, the pursuit of artistic ambition versus personal happiness, and the daunting task of finding authenticity in an age of seeming abundance. The film offers no easy answers, reflecting the messy, non-linear path of human emotions, and the realization that personal growth is an ongoing process, often jump-started by the end of a relationship.