Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi is officially adding a new title to his already impressive resume: feature film director. The Grammy-winning musician and actor is set to make his directorial debut with Doe, a gritty new addiction drama that he also wrote and stars in. The film is poised to be an exploration of survival on the margins of society.
For Mescudi, this milestone is a long time coming. Speaking about the project, telling Deadline, “Directing for me has been the ultimate dream of mine since I was a little boy. I’ve always been fascinated with film, and I’ve been sharpening my sword for years waiting for this very moment.”
Doe follows a raw, 24-hour narrative centered around a man living on the streets of Hollywood. Throughout a single day, the protagonist drifts through a series of encounters that pull him in and out of the harsh cycles of his drug addiction. It’s an intimate, character-driven story that leans heavily into the emotional weight of addiction, survival, and the desire for second chances.
Joining Mescudi on screen is a talented supporting cast featuring Mark Webber (Flesh and Blood), Leah McNamara (Normal People), Brandon Scott (Dead to Me), and Brandon Perea (Nope).
Mescudi is executive producing the film alongside Karina Manashil under their Mad Solar production banner, with Webber, Anthony Baldino, and Ryan Lacen also on board as producers. Doe will also feature original songs written and performed by Kid Cudi.
While this is his first time directing a feature-length movie, Mescudi has been steadily expanding his footprint in the visual storytelling space. Between directing his own music videos, starring in films like Ti West‘s X horror trilogy, and creating the Emmy-winning Netflix special Entergalactic alongside Kenya Barris, Cudi has more than proven his cinematic vision.
With production currently underway in Los Angeles, Doe is shaping up to be a personal passion project for the artist. As Mescudi himself put it, “It’s truly been the best experience filming this movie and I can’t wait for the world to see a true work of passion and love, made with friends.”
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