THE FILM
Love. Betrayal.
Consequences.
A Devil's Tempest is a 50-minute supernatural thriller about desire, suspicion, betrayal, and the terrifying cost of revenge. When a volatile witch becomes convinced that his boyfriend and best friend have betrayed him, dark magic becomes the instrument of punishment—and no one escapes unchanged.
Set against an atmosphere of seduction, menace, and supernatural reckoning, the film asks what happens when love curdles into obsession and pain is given power.
“Hell hath no fury like a scorned witch.”
THE CHARACTERS
Four souls. One tempest.
CAST
Meet the ensemble
ELIJAH
R.J. Allan
R.J. Allan has built a life in performance since childhood, beginning with music and live appearances before expanding into musical theater and screen work. He performed twice at the historic Apollo Theater as a young artist and later appeared in productions including Into the Woods, Grease, and Once Upon a Mattress. In 2011, he performed the National Anthem on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. His screen credits include the web series BoyDrama and the short film Damage Control. Drawing on years across music, theater, and film, R.J. brings emotional range, presence, and versatility to Elijah.
SANDRINE
Monique Rice
Monique Rice returns to A Devil's Tempest after appearing in the story's original iteration nearly a decade ago. Her return is both a continuation and a reinvention, bringing history with the project and a fresh perspective to Sandrine. With a background in fashion and visual storytelling, Monique developed a keen eye for image, narrative, and presence behind the scenes. She now brings that creative instinct in front of the camera, blending experience, intuition, and authenticity in a performance that marks an exciting new chapter.
NATHAN
Troy Chimuma
Born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, Troy Chimuma grew up surrounded by art and creative expression. Known for an energetic, charismatic presence, Troy developed his craft primarily on stage before expanding into film. His work has drawn attention beyond the theater, and A Devil's Tempest represents another step in his evolution as a screen actor. As Nathan, Troy channels his natural vitality into a darker, more dangerous world.
STEVEN
Brandon Singleton
Brandon Singleton is a television and film actor and model whose work spans scripted drama, true crime, and commercial campaigns. His credits include the independent film Friday at Dewayne's, the true-crime series Murder in the Family on REELZ, and One Deadly Mistake on Oxygen. He has also appeared in national print advertising for Apple and local commercial campaigns. Grounded and emotionally direct, Brandon brings a natural screen presence and dramatic sensitivity to Steven.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER · WRITER · DIRECTOR
The Lee Hayes
The Lee Hayes fell in love with words long before he understood the full power of storytelling. Growing up in rural East Texas, books opened doors to worlds beyond his own and began a lifelong relationship with writing—one marked by passion, distance, rediscovery, and return.
In 2015, The Lee Hayes wrote and produced BAIT, a YouTube film series about a gay psychopath using a dating app in search of love and finding victims instead. He also produced the documentary What Do You Know About Love?, an intimate exploration of how people understand—or misunderstand—love.
With A Devil's Tempest, The Lee Hayes enters supernatural thriller territory, transforming themes of love, jealousy, betrayal, and revenge into a dark cinematic fable. For The Lee Hayes, storytelling remains an enduring love affair: complicated, consuming, and impossible to abandon.
“I am The Lee Hayes. This is my love story.”
GALLERY
Enter the world of ADT
WATCH
Enter the tempest
A DEVIL'S TEMPEST
Official Film Video
Enter the world of A Devil's Tempest and meet Elijah, Nathan, Steven, and Sandrine before the October 21 premiere.
Watch A Devil's TempestBEHIND THE TEMPEST
Meet the Crew
CINEMATOGRAPHER · EDITOR
Jacob McCoy
Jacob McCoy is a filmmaker and video artist based in Brooklyn and Washington, D.C. For more than a decade, he has directed and produced documentary projects for arts institutions and large ensembles, developing a visual storytelling practice grounded in collaboration and performance. More recently, his work has expanded into interactive and immersive experiences. A Devil’s Tempest marks his first narrative film, for which he served as cinematographer and editor.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR · SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP · COSTUME DESIGN
Jerry Patterson
Jerry Patterson brings organizational leadership, creative vision, and hands-on production expertise to A Devil’s Tempest. Serving as assistant director, special effects makeup artist, and costume designer, Jerry also contributed acting coaching, production support, wardrobe, and styling. His versatility bridges the practical and artistic demands of filmmaking, from coordinating the work behind the camera to shaping the characters’ visual identities. His collaborative approach and attention to detail helped bring the film’s supernatural world to life.
Additional Production Credits
Production
Executive Producer, Writer & Director
The Lee Hayes
Assistant Director
Jerry Patterson
Cinematography, Editing & Lighting
Jacob McCoy
Sound
Devin “Dizzy” Anderson
Special Effects Makeup
Jerry Patterson & Monique Rice
Costume Design / Wardrobe
Jerry Patterson
Additional Performers
Undiscovered Witch
Christian Borden
The Coven
Brandon Singleton as Taylor Grimes
Marlon Hall, Sr. as Mark Steward
Lazima Elizabeth Mills as Stephanie Collins-Stewart
Taiken Kage as Leonardo Mills
Music
“The Trajedy of Elijah” — composed and performed by R.J. Allan
Madame Diety — “How I Feel”
VNCNT — “In My Head”
PRESS & MEDIA
For editors, programmers & media
Press Kit
Film synopsis, creative background, cast and filmmaker biographies, character information, campaign imagery, credits, and media resources.
Download Press KitPress Release
Official October 5, 2026 release introducing A Devil's Tempest, its cast, story, themes, and filmmaker.
PDF WordMedia Contact
The Lee Hayes
Leehayesproductions@gmail.com
Interview requests, screening inquiries, release information, and technical specifications.
OFFICIAL MOVIE PREMIERE
A Devil's Tempest
October 21, 2026 · 6:30 PM ET
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
$25 General Admission
Experience A Devil's Tempest on the big screen at its official movie premiere.
Get Tickets on EventbriteADT