Trailer released for Eastern Oregon-produced film starring 'The Walking Dead' actor

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The crew behind an Eastern Oregon-produced film starring an actor from “The Walking Dead” has given audiences a sneak peek of the movie.

The trailer for “Breakup Season” was released earlier this month. KOIN 6 initially reported on the film in February 2023, when it began production in La Grande.

Chandler Riggs, best known for his portrayal of Carl Grimes in eight seasons of AMC’s hit post-apocalyptic series, will star. He appears in the role of Ben, who invites his long-term girlfriend Cassie to stay with his family in rural Oregon for the holidays.

Samantha Isler from “Sean Saves the World” will act as his love interest.

The Eastern Oregon Film Festival originally revealed the movie would center on the young couple’s break up that occurs the first night of their trip, leading to an awkward Christmas vacation for them and those around them.

The trailer gives additional insight into their relationship. During what appears to be the dinner meal of the trip, Cassie learns that Ben failed to tell his family she was a vegetarian due to environmental reasons. She later tells him their relationship “isn’t working” and she needs to be with her own family.

But the next day, a newscast shows a snowstorm caused multiple crashes and closed Interstate 84. Cassie also learns the next flight out of Oregon isn’t available until Dec. 27.

According to the “Breakup Season” Facebook page, an audience of 320 La Grande residents already had the chance to see the film earlier this month.

“There’s nothing like a hometown crowd,” the crew wrote. “Certain scenes had uproarious laughter unique to La Grande with specific moments that especially hit with this audience, like an inside joke they’d been waiting to hear told their entire lives. One local said it’s the most full that auditorium has been in over 20 years.”

The movie will be released to other audiences throughout November and December. In Portland, the Hollywood Theatre will host a screening and Q&A with the cast — and director H. Nelson Tracey — on Dec. 2.