AceShowbiz - The narrative film Chili Finger, directed by Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, explores a unique story where Jessica Lipki finds a severed human finger in her chili, sparking a chain of events that change her life. Jessica, played by Judy Greer, sees this bizarre discovery as a chance to take control of her stagnant existence by blackmailing a popular regional fast-food chain for $100,000. She and her unsuspecting husband Ron agree to keep the incident under wraps, setting off a tense and intriguing plot.

The film’s tension heightens as the founder of the Blake Junior food empire, a wealthy figure known simply as Blake Junior, becomes aware of the scandal. He enlists his ex-marine friend Dave to investigate Jessica and uncover the truth behind the mysterious "chili finger." This thrilling storyline unfolds under the expert direction of Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, who also wrote the screenplay.

At the SXSW panel, Judy Greer shared her enthusiasm about working alongside co-star John Goodman. She revealed that she has been "giddily in love" with Goodman since their previous collaboration in What Planet Are You From? (2000). Greer highlighted a memorable scene where the directors allowed a long two-shot between her and Goodman to play without interruption from editing, describing it as one of her proudest acting moments. She expressed the honor of performing alongside Goodman in such an unbroken, authentic scene.

The film premiered on March 14, 2026, and is represented by the Gersh sales agency. The engaging panel at SXSW Studio was presented by Redbreast Irish Whiskey, providing an insightful look at the creative process behind Chili Finger and the dynamic between its lead actors. With its darkly comedic premise and strong performances, Chili Finger promises to captivate audiences and critics alike.