Murder Mystery Series ‘Dreamcrusher’ Will Send Viewers on a Real-Life Hunt for Clues — and a $100,000 Prize (EXCLUSIVE)
by Ethan Shanfeld · VarietyAn experimental new murder mystery series will encourage viewers to hunt for clues off-screen — and compete for a $100,000 cash prize.
Unlike other shows in the genre, “Dreamcrusher,” the first scripted series from the free streaming platform Reveel, may just incentivize its fans to solve the mystery before the finale reveal. With “Dreamcrusher,” Reveel is looking to launch the “reward” brand of entertainment, in which one lucky viewer will be able to score a big bag of money by pairing clues hidden within each episode with bonus clues planted in the real world to “expose the real Dreamcrusher.”
Per Reveel, “‘Dreamcrusher’ follows the story of pop singer Gwyn who is found dead on the morning that should have marked her rise to superstardom. Tasked with solving her murder, detectives retrace her steps from a celebratory concert in her hometown the previous evening.”
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Gavin Michael Booth (“Last Call,” “Fifteen” and “The Scarehouse”) has been tapped as showrunner of “Dreamcrusher,” which was developed alongside William Cheverie and producer Christopher Splaine. The seven-episode series will film in Los Angeles; Worcester, Mass.; and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Original music for the series will be written by Emmy-nominated writer and producer Bleu (Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez) with Brooke Tomlinson (Dixie D’Amelio).
Booth is no stranger to experimenting with the format, as he’s known for the Blumhouse horror short “Fifteen,” the world’s first livestreamed film, and “Last Call,” a split-screen feature shot in a true single take. “I am thrilled to create a show that is a natural extension of my desire to create unique entertainment,” Booth said in a statement to Variety. “’Dreamcrusher’ challenges me to create not just a narrative series but a multitude of media content through social media and other formats. It’s also fun to construct a show that allows the viewer to not only work on their detective skills, but also take home the ultimate prize.”
Booth will write and direct all seven episodes, which will stream on Reveel, which can be accessed through iOS devices, Android devices, Roku, Apple TV and Fire TV.
Booth is represented by Maritza Cabrera at Limitless Management.