The Samca Case in cinemas from 20 February 2026

Production company StellariaFilm is excitedly announcing the cinematic premiere of the Romanian thriller „Cazul Samca,” a bold and original film project that will be released in cinemas nationwide starting from 20th February 2026. The film marks an important moment for Romanian independent cinema and offers the public a novel narrative experiment: the first Romanian „fake true-crime” documentary.

„The Samca Case” - a psychological thriller inspired by real mechanisms

„The Samca Case” (2026) is directed by Horia Cucută and George ve Gänæaard and follows the investigation into three bizarre murders that took place in a provincial town. 15 years after the events, a team of documentary filmmakers decides to reopen the investigation, confronting contradictory testimonies, false leads, and theories pointing towards an alleged satanic cult and possible local conspiracies.

Although the crimes are fictional, the film is built on real social mechanisms: bullying, collective silence, media manipulation, and community responsibility when trauma becomes public spectacle. Director Horia Cucută explains: „The crimes are fictional, but many of the mechanisms that lead to them are inspired by reality.” Thus, the film shifts the focus from the violence itself to its psychological and social consequences.

Film details

• Original title: The Samca Case
• Release date: 20 February 2026
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Genre: Thriller
• Language: Romanian
• Cast: Dana Marineci, Răzvan Ilie, Emilian Oprea, Alin Florea, Silviu Debu, Ciprian Chiujdea, Cristian Bota, Sabina Lazăr, Andrei Miercure, Cosmin Teodor Pană, Alexia Tătaru, Daniel Popa, Mihaela Trofimov
• Distributed by: PAPA Pictures

The film was made independently, with private funding, without CNC financing, representing a brave experiment in a cinematic landscape dominated by commercial comedies. „The thriller is still an experiment in Romanian cinema. We want to show that there is an audience for other genres too,” stated director Horia Cucută.

A story about truth, manipulation and collective memory

„The Samca Case” begins with the reopening of an unsolved crime file and explores the impact of media distortion on public perception. A journalist character exploits the case for ratings, sacrificing truth for sensationalism, in an obvious parallel to how social media amplifies speculation and creates erroneous collective opinions.

The film promises a tense journey, dominated by mystery, anxiety and frustration, culminating in a final twist that forces the viewer to ask uncomfortable questions about guilt, responsibility and truth.

Filming and production context

Filming took place at the „Mihai Viteazul” National College in Bucharest, with the action fictionally set in the town of Blaj. The authentic atmosphere and real locations contribute to the production's realism, enhancing the feeling of a true documentary, even though the story remains fictional.

Alexia Tătaru – Artistic Role and Contribution as a Producer at StellariaFilm

An important role in the film is played by Alexia Tătaru, founder of the production company StellariaFilm, who brings Ioana Avădănei to the screen, Remus's cousin – the young man accused of murder. The character explores family trauma and social stigma generated by suspicions and accusations, offering a deeply emotional perspective on the consequences of tragic events.

Besides her artistic role, Alexia Tătaru was also significantly involved in the film's production, actively contributing to the organisation and running of the shoot: she supervised scenes on set, assisted some of the actors, coordinated the team's transport and logistics, as well as the catering required for the entire production.

Alexia Tătaru Statement:
„For me, «The Samca Case» is not just a film, but an intense experience about how the past and public perceptions can shape destinies. Ioana Avădănei's role put me face to face with the idea of stigma and the pain of a wrongly suspected family. As a Stellaria producer, I felt every stage of the project, from the actors” emotions on set to the logistical effort behind the cameras. It's a film that doesn't let you leave the cinema feeling at ease, but forces you to think critically."

A brave indie experiment in Romanian cinema

„The Samca Case” isn't a horror film, but a psychological thriller rated AP-12, suitable for teenagers. Through its realism, the film intentionally blurs the lines between fiction and reality, inviting the viewer to become part of the investigation.

The production tackles current themes such as bullying, disinformation, and social responsibility, transforming the story into a starting point for relevant and necessary discussions.

From 20 February 2026 – in cinemas nationwide

Distributed by PAPA Pictures, „Samca's Case” will be available to watch in English: cinemas in Romania starting from February 20, 2026. It is a tense, thought-provoking and profound film that offers a different cinematic experience, where the mystery is not only narrative but also moral.

StellariaFilm invites the public to discover a production that offers no easy answers, but rather essential questions about truth, memory, and collective responsibility. „The Samca Case” is not just a story, but a mirror reflecting how society constructs and distorts reality.