PRESS
variety
‘Sonny Boy’ and ‘The Kids Are Not Alright’ Lead Dances With Film NY Awards
“For the industry awards, Chris Beier’s The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia won in the ‘Over 40 Minutes’ category…”
‘The Piano Lesson,’ ‘Ravens’ and More Headline First Wave of Films Unveiled at Austin Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)
“Also among the highly anticipated premieres is the Texas-made thriller by Chris Beier and Daniel Wolfman centered around a washed-up Youtube star titled The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia…”
Houston Chronicle
Cary Darling's best 15 movies of 2024, from 'A Complete Unknown' to 'A Real Pain'
“The low-budget, Laredo-shot thriller “The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia” is a gripping look at influencer culture as a former YouTube sensation on a downhill slide into oblivion shows she will do anything for likes, including getting involved with a cartel. The film is on the festival circuit, but let’s hope for a broad release in 2025.”
making movies is hard podcast
WARPED PERSPECTIVE
The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia (2024)
“This is a superb piece of indie cinema storytelling, a deeply personal character study, but one which draws on a wealth of modern obsessions, affordances and dilemmas to weave a highly effective story.”
“This is a really gritty, involving film”
“Beier’s work has resulted in an emphatic positive, with a clearly realized and handled piece of cinema.”
JIM SCHEMBRI
INDIE FILM ROUND UP – ‘The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia’, a gripping crime-drama about internet fame
“Beier skillfully blends social media culture into an ever-tightening slow-burn crime drama, all driven by an increasingly gripping personal odyssey.”
“It’s a quietly powerful ending to an accomplished piece, one of the best films in recent memory about the underside of easy fame.”
FILM THREAT
The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia Review
“This is the Schaeffer show, and for good reason”
“Beier directs like a true maverick. His cinematography is epic”
“The Ego Death Of Queen Cecilia is a promising start from a fresh-faced filmmaker.”
HOUSTON FILM CRITICS SOCIETY
Five Texas-Made Films Vie for Houston Critics Honors
“[One of five films nominated for the Texas Independent Film Award], Chris Beier follows a former YouTube star trying to find her place in an unfriendly world.”
MEDIAITE’S PRESS CLUB
Makena Kelly Episode (Co-Writer Daniel Wolfman interview @ 36:55)
FILM FOCUS ONLINE
'The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia' Review: An Insight Into Modern Society's Obsession With Fame
“Jo Schaeffer's portrayal of Cecilia is nothing short of mesmerizing”
“Offers a suspenseful narrative and a strong insight into modern society's obsession with fame. For viewers seeking a film that challenges perceptions and evokes introspection, you should try The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia.”
HOUSTON PRESS
The Brutalist and Conclave Rack Up Multiple Houston Film Critics Society Nominations
”the HFCS also announced its nominees for the Texas Independent Film Awards which honor films made in Texas: A former YouTube star trying to find her place in an unfriendly world in The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia”
UK FILM REVIEW PODCAST
The Brutalist - Gene Hackman Movies - UK Film Club Episode 25
(review at 49:02)
“I’m just going to say it right now, this is the best film I’ve seen this year”
“It is absolutely brilliant.”
“An impressive piece of filmmaking.”
No Film School
How Non-Actors Make a Story More Real in ‘The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia’
NO FILM SCHOOL PODCAST
Microbudget Filmmakers Are Not Okay (But Thanks for Asking) — Advice & Support from AFF Filmmakers
OVERLY HONEST REVIEWS
A Haunting Look at the Price of Relevance
“An authenticity that never feels forced”
“For a debut performance, for an indie production stitched together across years, and for a story so laser-focused on one woman’s unraveling, it delivers in nearly every way.”
