Kristoffer Polaha (Jurassic World: Dominion, The Shift) makes a striking entry into directing with Mimics, a film that constantly shifts tone and subverts expectations. Set in the world of performance and aspiration, it follows a struggling impressionist whose pursuit of recognition spirals into something way more sinister than a simple bid for success. Opening in U.S. cinemas on February 13, 2026, it oscillates effortlessly between comedy, romance, and an unsettling sense of dread.
Mimics is fully aware of the cinematic lineage it joins. Film has long been fascinated by performers undone by the very skills meant to elevate them, and Mimics situates itself squarely in that tradition, exploring the complex intersection of talent, ambition, and obsession. Polaha navigates this terrain with intelligence, drawing both humor and menace – and even a touch of romance – from the same gestures and routines.
Ahead of the film’s release, Polaha and co-star Stephen Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, Thelma & Louise) spoke to CinemaChords about the tricky balance of tone, working out which moments could be funny and which needed to stay grounded to keep the tension and intrigue intact. They also reflected on the challenge of working within a familiar subgenre without falling into cliché, presenting Mimics as a considered exploration of control, authorship and the psychological costs of ambition, and on how the pursuit of attention can so easily turn one’s own desires against them.
