Home · Entertainment · Sep 12 archive
Courteney Cox Returns to Direct with 'Evil Genius' at Toronto International Film Festival
Confirmed
In Short: Courteney Cox, known for her role in 'Friends,' is back in the director's chair with her first feature film in 12 years.
Courteney Cox, the beloved actress from "Friends," is making a return to the director's chair with her first feature film in 12 years, "Evil Genius." The film, which stars Patricia Arquette, David Harbour, and Tom McCarthy, is a true-crime story based on the infamous "pizza bomber" case. According to reports, Cox's inspiration for directing came from a chance encounter with actress Barbara Schroeder at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2018.
Cox's vision for "Evil Genius" was influenced by her experience with "Friends," as she explained to IndieWire, "‘Friends’ was a useful guide in how I presented these characters." The film delves into the more deeply human story of deception, desperation, and the line between victim and villain, a departure from the typical true-crime narrative. The film is directed by Cox from a script by Courtenay Miles and is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12.
Evil Genius Beer Company, based in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, is also making a name for itself in the craft beer scene. The company, co-founded by Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward, has been resurrecting beloved beer recipes and IP. The unlikely connection between Cox's film and the craft beer company is a testament to the versatility of Philadelphia's brewing community.
The Toronto International Film Festival is abuzz with anticipation for the premiere of "Evil Genius," with screenings on both Saturday and Sunday. The film is expected to be a highlight of the festival, with Cox's return to directing garnering significant attention. As Cox prepares to step back into the spotlight, the film is not only a true-crime story but also a personal journey for the actress.
What's confirmed
- The unlikely resurrector can be found about as far from San Fran has you can get in a fairly straight line: Evil Genius Beer Company, of Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood.
- Evil Genius co-founders Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward -Villanova business school classmates started Evil Genius in 2011.
- What Evil Genius gets is the IP, and recipes of the beers folks loved and missed.
What's still developing
- It’s been 12 years since Courteney Cox last directed a feature film. (Yes, the Courteney Cox you know and love.) The first time around, a film called “Just Before I Go,” didn’t go exactly as planned.
- Yeah, when I was watching this it was very clear you had a vision for it.
- Evil Genius / Everybody Wants To F*ck Me Saturday’s [September 12] world premiere of Courteney Cox’s true crime drama Evil Genius with David Harbour and Patricia Arquette and anticipated screenings on Sunday including the Zellner Brothers’ alien invasion comedy Alpha Gang are high on TIFF buyers’ must-see lists this weekend.
- “I was at the Beverly Hills Hotel sitting at the counter; my favorite spot in the corner. I saw [Schroeder], and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I love Evil Genius. You did such a great job,” said Cox, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.
- In November 2025, Harbour, who stars in Evil Genius as the late Brian Douglas Wells, was spotted on the set of the true-crime thriller.
- A four-part documentary called Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist was released on Netflix in 2018.
- Brewers are celebrating fall’s arrival with a fresh roster of beers built for the upcoming season.
- Busch Light has long leaned into the great outdoors as part of its identity, so a branded fire pit is a natural.