A queer horror comedy film set on the east side of Indianapolis will premiere at Tibbs Drive-In Theatre.
“Jodi” follows a video vixen, played by PEACH, who loves rock ’n’ roll, her rockstar girlfriend TJ, played by Jessie Phelps, and locking men in her torture shed. The film takes place in modern day but feels like its 1989. The year after a trainwreck spilled toxic waste into the water supply resulting in reports of psychosis.
It’s the brain child and first feature film of local filmmaker Karla Carter and her production company, Braless Cowboy. Though she didn’t make the film alone, Carter took on a lot of roles, including writer, director, producer, camera operator, editor and sound designer.
“It explores how lower income neighborhoods can get forgotten by their government and be at the mercy of landlords,” she said.
Carter, 38, wrote the screenplay in spring of 2023 which she shopped to movie studios and streaming service for one year.
She ultimately decided to make it independently to avoid compromising on the queer story she wanted to tell.
The film cost around $30,000 that she was able to fund through her day job — owning a small massage therapy practice. She said “Hoosier hospitality” helped her get the project over the finish line, including filming for free at The Vogue, Black Circle and at friends’ homes in the Little Flower neighborhood.
Watch the teaser trailer. “Jodi” is screening July 17-26 at Tibbs Drive-In Theatre.
“It gives an audience an opportunity to seek out a live screening just like its 1989 … in the name of a DIY, very grassroots, very independent film made by predominantly queer people,” Carter said. “It’s something we’re kinda lacking in our world.”
A correction was made on July 15, 2026: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated “Jodi” is set in 1989. The movie instead feels like the 1980s.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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