Shubhabrata Dutta
Directed by Jonathan Louis Lewis, ‘Sinister Surgeon’ is a medical thriller at the center of which is an ambitious young doctor. Katelyn gets her dream job with renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr. Peterson. However, what begins as a prestigious profession for her turns into a personal investigation when a number of patients of Peterson turn up dead. After receiving a warning from an unknown individual, she tries to get to the truth. Is there more to Peterson than his reputation as a surgeon? Or is he really innocent, as he says? Katelyn must be careful while looking for answers to avoid becoming the next target. As dark as the narrative is, the gloomy atmosphere elevates the chilling factor. From the insides of the hospital to Katelyn’s home, each setting adds to the tension, providing an extra layer of mystery and dread.
Where Was Sinister Surgeon Filmed?
‘Sinister Surgeon’ was shot extensively in the state of California, particularly in and around the city of Los Angeles. Shooting of the medical drama began in mid-January 2024 and continued until the second week of February of the same year. The City of Angels has long been a home ground for all kinds of film productions, thanks to its varied locales and available resources. Naturally, the crew scouted suitable indoor and outdoor locations that elevated the movie’s dark theme and nightmarish setting. Clearly, the cast and crew had a gala time bringing the film to life.
Los Angeles, California
Filming of ‘Sinister Surgeon’ took place in the sprawling city of Los Angeles in the southern part of California. While a lot of prosthetic work was required for the characters, the City of Angels, too, provided the crew with various kinds of skins/backgrounds that would suit the situations. In addition to this, there is the gorgeous LA skyline, which is no less than a symbol of a dynamic lifestyle that is recognized all across the globe. It encompasses all genres of movies and shows, offering a certain charm that is as alluring as it is intimidating. In this way, it serves as a befitting backdrop for ‘Sinister Surgeon.’
From what we can tell, the area surrounding the Silver Lake reservoir was also used to film various interior and exterior shots. The gorgeous locales of the region doubles up as the heart of the water supply for LA. The Silver Lake neighborhood itself, with its estates and municipal buildings, has served as a filming spot for many years, being used in popular movies and shows like ‘Under The Silver Lake,’ ‘You’re the Worst,’ and ‘Fear The Walking Dead.’
Cross sections, parking lots, and other urban settings were used as establishment shots. They also helped showcase the world Katelyn found herself in and how different it was from the outside world. The movie features shots of Beverly Hills, the Griffith Observatory, located at 2800 East Observatory Road on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, and other popular and posh neighborhoods of Los Angeles, all of which served as a constant reminder of the city’s glitterati while the narrative delved into the dark underbelly.
The Sinister Surgeon Cast
The cast of ‘Sinister Surgeon’ is led by Samantha Neyland and Anthony Montgomery. While Samantha effortlessly portrays the protagonist, showcasing tension, helplessness, and bravery in the face of an unknown enemy, Anthony takes on a doubtful persona, pushing the audience to judge his words and actions. The grandson of guitarist Wes Montgomery, he is also a martial arts student and graphic novelist. Interestingly, ‘Miles Away,’ the graphic novel he created with Brandon Easton, is a Glyph Comics award nominee.
Meanwhile, Samantha hails from a military background, which explains her attention to detail and disciplined attitude. She has been in the industry right from her teenage years. Back in 2013, 17-year-old Samantha created history as the first African-American woman to win the Miss Hawaii Teen USA title. Together, the two actors bring about a charming on-screen chemistry that takes the viewers deep into the story.
Samantha Neyland as Katelyn
Samantha Neyland has a variety of movies and shows to her credit, including the Lifetime movies ‘Running Away’ and ‘The Night Stalker.’ Her non-Lifetime movies include ‘Christmas Rescue,’ where she plays a kidnapped bride Chelsea; ‘Mixed-ish,’ where we see her as the 21-year-old version of the protagonist Bow; and ‘Thrillzone,’ where she plays the character Rachel. Neyland also lent her acting skills to hit projects like ‘Ballers’ and ‘Magnum P.I.’ as Ruby Patron and Clara, respectively. You may also recognize her from her portrayal of the very manipulative Lottie in ‘Tempted,’ as opposed to her performance as the guilt-free Katelyn in ‘Sinister Surgeon.’ This shows her range as an actor and further stresses her ability to pull off complex roles.
Anthony Montgomery as Dr. Peterson
Anthony Montgomery is best known for his performance as Travis Mayweather in ‘Star Trek: Enterprise.’ His portrayal of Andre Maddox in ‘General Hospital’ won him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor. However, he is no stranger to thriller movies since we have seen him as Avery in ‘The Man in 3B,’ Cole in ‘Chariot,’ and Detective Chase Dawson in ‘Maya.’ His other notable projects include ‘NCIS,’ ‘House M.D.,’ ‘Magnum P.I.,’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ Many people will also recognize him as Allen Fisk from ‘All the Queen’s Men’ and Elijah from ‘The Family Business.’
Alisa Allapach essays the character of Lori, while Helena Mattsson stars as Dr. Nichols. In addition, Harry Jarvis appears as Brad, and Justin Chu Cary plays Detective Elliot. The other cast members of ‘Sinister Surgeon’ include Shantel Jackson as Tracey, Jordyn Rolling as Sarah, and Ashley London as Jennifer.
Read More: Give Me Back My Daughter: Filming Locations and Cast Details
