Bryan James Debuts Gigolo: A Valentine’s Day 2026 Short Film Exploring Desire, Grief, and the Price of Human Connection

Debuting this Valentine’s Day at gigolo2026.com, Gigolo is a new short film that follows Jeremy Gordon (played by Bryan James), a young man who falls into escorting after a traumatic loss derails his life. To tell this story, James turned to an ensemble that blends professional training with raw emotional instincts. 

Eliott Nazarian (Edward)
An accomplished lawyer and photographer turned rising actor and comedian, Eliott Nazarian brings a grounded, lived-in authenticity to the role of Edward — a charismatic sex worker with a slick, confident exterior and a soul quietly spiraling beneath the surface. Balancing his sharp comedic instincts with striking dramatic depth, Nazarian turns in one of the film’s most haunting performances.

“Eliott has this incredible calm about him, but underneath there’s this crackling emotional tension,” says Bryan James. “He brings such raw intensity to the screen. Edward’s journey is unforgettable — and Eliott made him feel heartbreakingly real. It was a pleasure collaborating with him.”

Edward, who chases validation through transactional relationships with older women, lives by a code that seems empowering — until it isn’t. What begins as unapologetic self-interest evolves into a harrowing downfall. “That gut punch, the way things unravel for Edward — it’s a cautionary tale,” James adds. “And Eliott delivers it with devastating clarity.”

Jack Rasmussen (Greg)
Jack Rasmussen’s background is anything but conventional. A Fulbright Scholar, published author, and USC graduate, he brings a uniquely cerebral energy to the role of Greg. Greg’s arc brings a subtle emotional current to the film. “Jack is such a warm and caring person,” James adds. “We connected as friends over dinner before filming, and that helped us find depth in the scenes. He’s an incredibly open and generous scene partner.”

John Godoy III (Doug)
As Doug, John Godoy III brings levity to even Gigolo’s darkest scenes. Doug serves as the chaos engine of the film, constantly deflecting vulnerability with humor and resisting any push toward growth. It’s a role that could easily tip into caricature, but Godoy brings it to life with a layered performance full of both swagger and subtle shadows.

Godoy was the first actor cast in the film, and his collaboration helped shape the character into something deeper. “We crafted Doug together,” James recalls. “John is thoughtful, emotionally available, and fully present as a scene partner. He took direction effortlessly, brought his own intelligence and instinct to the table, and made every moment count.”

James doesn’t hold back on his praise: “To me, John’s a generational talent. I want to work with him for the rest of my career. He stood out in a sea of over a thousand auditioning actors — and he more than earned that spot.”

Garth Sodetani (Hank)
Perhaps the emotional compass of the film, Hank is a soul-weary escort with a sharp eye for danger and self-destruction. Sodetani, whose quiet charisma and restraint define his performance, provides some of the film’s most sobering moments. From their very first meeting, James knew Sodetani was a special kind of collaborator. “We connected immediately as actors,” he recalls. “I told him we’d rework the script together to dig into the truths of society — to explore the underbelly of sexual impulse, and where that leads people when shame is stripped away. Working with him was not just creatively fulfilling, it was a gift.”

A wide variety of emerging talent — and a roster of real-life friendships and actors Bryan recently worked with on the feature film Reckless — helped fill the seats and set the tone of a crucial backstory scene for the character of Jeremy. Thomas Johansen says, “I have a deep passion for authenticity and bringing the best energy I can bring to sets, and this was the best one I’ve ever been on.”

Matteo Wasescha immediately struck up a bond with James years ago. The two are next in pre-production together on a throuple love story called The Rules of Engagement. “I hope I work with Matteo for the rest of my career.” Benjamin Ingle and Alex Mills are also in the Rolodex of returning collaborators. “Both of them came onto Reckless first and literally blew me away with their wonderful professionalism and kindness.”

Most wonderful of all for James, he says, is his working relationship with rising star Richard Flippo, also recently co-starring with James in the Fatal Attraction reimagining Reckless, available now at www.recklessmovie.net. Here, Flippo plays Timothy, a kindred spirit of sorts to Jeremy. “Richard is a really tremendously talented individual with an intellect and a spiritual discernment that I have not come across in another person in this industry. To know Richard and to work with him is like playing a sport and feeling like you are in the zone with your teammate. During the task at hand in Gigolo, I had to cry redundantly, take after take. I just connected to Richard and the truth he was presenting in the environment, and it flowed easily. I’ve told him this privately — there is an ethereal quality to him as a human being I can personally connect to, and it makes working with someone like him — endlessly talented and energetically vibrating in goodness — a real joy. I’ve also not seen someone as committed to their craft. He is very focused as a performer.”

Cinematographer David Sorafine serves as the visual heartbeat of the production, balancing stylized sensuality with stark realism. Through shifting palettes, hard lighting, and shadow play, he pulls the viewer into Jeremy’s fractured world of flickering neon, emotional spirals, and fleeting pleasure.

To achieve the film’s textured, organic aesthetic, Sorafine turned to the RED Gemini paired with timeless Cooke Panchro Classic lenses. “Bryan and I wanted to make something more cinematic — something that honored the look of older films,” Sorafine explains. “We wanted to avoid the overly soft, evenly lit style you see so often today, and instead lean into realism, contrast, and imperfections that give a frame life.”

Gigolo premieres February 14, 2026.
Official site: www.gigolo2026.com