You know that weird, hazy feeling right after you graduate? The one where your student ID is basically a useless piece of plastic and you're just... waiting? That’s the vibe Jac Cron captures in her 2023 feature debut. But let’s be real: most people searching for the cast of chestnut film are actually looking for one of two very different movies.
If you're here for the 2004 movie about a Great Dane, you’re in the wrong place (that one stars a very young Abigail Breslin). No, we’re talking about the moody, neon-soaked Philadelphia drama that finally hit theaters in 2024 after a long festival run. It’s a queer love triangle that feels more like a memory than a movie.
The Trio at the Heart of the Story
Honestly, the movie lives or dies by its three leads. It isn't some high-octane thriller; it's about people staring at each other in bars and saying things without actually saying them.
Natalia Dyer plays Annie. You know her as Nancy Wheeler from Stranger Things, but here she trades the 80s monsters for something much more terrifying: the uncertainty of her early twenties. Annie has a finance degree and a job waiting for her in LA, but she’s essentially stalling. Dyer plays her with this quiet, almost frustrating passivity. She’s a poet who doesn't quite know how to advocate for herself yet.
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Then there’s Rachel Keller as Tyler. If Annie is the moon, Tyler is the sun—but like, a sun that might give you a mild sunburn if you stay too long. Keller, who was incredible in Legion and Tokyo Vice, brings this magnetic, flirty energy that feels both welcoming and a little dangerous. She’s the one who pulls Annie into her orbit at a bar one night.
Completing the triangle is Danny Ramirez as Danny. (Yes, the character has the same name as the actor, which is kinda funny). Ramirez, fresh off of Top Gun: Maverick and his MCU debut as the new Falcon, plays against type here. He’s sensitive. He’s kind. He’s the co-worker/best friend/maybe-more to Tyler. He and Annie develop their own separate bond that complicates the whole "summer fling" vibe.
The Supporting Players
While the movie is basically a three-person character study, a few other faces pop up to fill out the Philly landscape:
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- Chella Man as Jason: Annie’s friend who is also drifting through that post-grad fog. Chella Man is a well-known activist and artist (Titans), and his scenes provide a nice grounded counterpoint to the romantic drama.
- Caleb Eberhardt as Connor: A friend of the group who helps facilitate the open-mic night where Annie finally shares some of her work.
- Lauren LaVera as Haley: You might recognize her as the final girl from the Terrifier franchise, though her role here is much less... gory.
Why the Casting Works (And Why Some People Hate It)
There is a lot of debate about the cast of chestnut film and whether the performances were "too understated." Some critics, like those at IndieWire, praised Dyer for her ability to hold the screen while doing very little. Others felt the screenplay didn't give the actors enough meat to chew on.
Personally? I think the casting is brilliant because of the chemistry. Or rather, the lack of clear chemistry. In a movie about bisexual confusion and unrequited connection, it makes sense that you’re never quite sure who belongs with whom.
The film was shot on location in Philadelphia—specifically around Chestnut Street, the city’s queer epicenter. This gives the whole thing an authentic, "lived-in" feel. When you see the actors in these bars, it doesn't look like a Hollywood set. It looks like a Tuesday night in Philly.
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Fast Facts on the Main Trio
| Actor | Known For | Role in Chestnut |
|---|---|---|
| Natalia Dyer | Stranger Things | Annie, a timid recent grad |
| Rachel Keller | Legion, A Man Called Otto | Tyler, a charismatic local |
| Danny Ramirez | Top Gun: Maverick | Danny, Tyler's co-worker |
The "Two Chestnuts" Confusion
Don't let Google fool you. If you see a cast list featuring Makenzie Vega or Justin Louis, you are looking at Chestnut: Hero of Central Park. That is a family comedy about a dog.
The 2023 cast of chestnut film is strictly the Natalia Dyer-led indie drama. It’s a common mix-up, but the vibes couldn’t be further apart. One is about a Great Dane hiding in a New York apartment; the other is about a queer love triangle in a Philadelphia dive bar.
What to Do Next
If you're interested in seeing more from this cast, here is the best way to follow their work:
- Watch Natalia Dyer in Yes, God, Yes: If you liked her performance in Chestnut, this 2019 indie is another great showcase of her talent in a coming-of-age story.
- Check out Danny Ramirez in The Last of Us Season 2: He’s playing Manny, a pivotal role that will likely be much more intense than his turn as the sensitive Danny.
- Explore Jac Cron’s short films: The director has a specific visual style that started long before this feature debut.
The movie might be a "vibes-only" experience for some, but the cast of chestnut film certainly delivers a specific, haunting look at that brief window of time before real life begins. It’s worth a watch if only to see these three rising stars play off each other in such an intimate way.