THE SHIFT - STARS NEAL McDONOUGH & KRISTOFFER POLAHA DISCUSS THE FILM

Infinite Worlds. Endless Choices. One way out. After a tense encounter with a mysterious stranger
with otherworldly powers, a man is banished to a tyrannical, parallel earth where he fights to
get back to the woman he loves.

The Shift is a new Faith based sci-fi thriller that will have you thinking about choices and second chances. In this modern-day retelling of Job, Kevin Garner (Kristoffer Polaha) embarks on a journey across worlds and dimensions to reunite with Molly (Elizabeth Tabish), his true love.

The narrative unfolds as a dystopian drama and sci-fi thriller, where a mysterious adversary, The Benefactor (Neal McDonough), disrupts Kevin's reality. Faced with infinite worlds and impossible choices, Kevin must navigate through an alternate reality, resisting The Benefactor's tempting offer of wealth and power. As survival hangs in the balance, Kevin fights to return to the familiar world he cherishes and the woman he loves. 

Trained at the London Academy of Dramatic Arts and Sciences, Neal McDonough has been a fan favorite since his breakout role of Lieutenant Lynn “Buck” Compton in Band of Brothers. and has been featured in popular shows like Justified, Van Helsing, Altered Carbon, and Suits, as well as films including THE WARRANT, RED, MINORITY REPORT, and his role as Timothy ‘Dum Dum’ Dugan in the MARVEL Cinematic Universe. Most recently, Neal delivered a standout performance as Malcolm Beck in Yellowstone, acting opposite Kevin Costner. Above all else, Neal prizes his relationship with his wife Ruvé, their five children, and his devout Catholic faith.

Kristoffer Polaha is probably best-known for starring in The CW’s critically acclaimed series “Life Unexpected.” He had a recurring role on the cable series “Get Shorty” with Ray Romano and Chris O’Dowd, the limited series “Condor” opposite William Hurt and Max Irons, and television movie “Burying Barstow” opposite Angie Harmon. Prior to that, Polaha co- starred with Rainn Wilson in the FOX series “Backstrom” as well as a number of TV series over the past 10 years including “North Shore,” “Miss Guided,” “Made in Jersey,” “Ringer” and “Valentine,” in addition to a multi-season recurring role on the acclaimed series “Mad Men” as well as numerous guest starring roles on both cable and network series. Polaha is also well known for his many starring roles in Hallmark movies, most recently “A Biltmore Christmas.”

Polaha has appeared in numerous independent features, including Where Hope Grows, Back in the Day, Devil’s Knot and Petty Crimes. He recently wrote, directed, and starred in the short film, A Work of Art, which premiered at The Cannes Film Festival.

I spoke to Neil and Kristoffer about working on the film and how it changed them.