By: Mariah Thomas
Photo By Sela Shiloni
Director and writer Kit Steinkellner takes viewers through a rollercoaster of racing thoughts as we watch a couple reconnect after a life altering change in the series “Are We Still Married?” Typically, a story about vampires jumps into a world set in the Victorian era or harbors more drama. However, this series is a medley of humor and harrowing truths about the idea of the modern vampire.
Premiering at SXSW 2026, the show pilot for “Are We Still Married?” follows the story of Laura (Taylor Misiak) as she is visited by her husband Jack (Dustin Milligan). Though the banter between the two feels quite normal, it is soon revealed Jack is now a vampire and Laura is hesitant to invite him in. Her unspoken fear is that he no longer is the same man that she married and a shell of who she once loved. Through their late night talks she is reminded of the love that is still there and by the end of the night she is faced with the hard choice of letting him or not as Jack has given her an ultimatum.
What really makes this series special is the tone it holds throughout. We have seen modern vampire stories. We have also seen a comedic take on the entity. This short directly meshes the two and places them in a world that doesn’t feel mythical. It is treated as a normal thing for these two to tackle. From how certain shots were angled to the wonderful chemistry between Misiak and Milligan, I thoroughly enjoyed this entire watch start to finish. I found myself hoping for an expanded full series release.
Kit Steinkellner both wrote and directed this TV pilot. Oftentimes when a creator takes on both roles, it is reflective as they fully have control over the vision they had. Though humor is the leading factor in this piece, the small beats that highlight the truth of their emotions highly reflect the somber tone of both shows. This is Steinkellner’s directing debut and it leaves an excitement for future works.
The pilot for “Are We Still Married?” leaves viewers satisfied while also leaving room for this story to expand. SXSW is the place where shows and films with so much potential become unearthed. This was an enticing watch that I hope gets the chance to develop further.