Highlights
- Six Stars hits YouTube, delivering a gritty live-action take on Grand Theft Auto VI starring Milo Machado-Graner.
- Filmed in Tampa, the movie critiques violence and media through a disturbing "real-life" rampage narrative.
- This Academy-qualifying short bridges gaming and cinema, offering a polished indie tribute to Rockstar Games' legendary franchise.
The agonizing wait for Grand Theft Auto VI just got a little easier to bear thanks to a bold new project from indie filmmaker Todd Wiseman Jr. Titled Six Stars, this seven-minute short film has officially released worldwide on YouTube as of January 2026, offering fans what might be the closest experience to a live-action GTA movie yet. Drawing immediate comparisons to Rockstar Games' legendary franchise, the film bridges the gap between open-world gaming and cinema with a narrative that asks a disturbing question: "What if GTA was in real life?" The film features a breakout performance by Milo Machado-Graner, best known for his acclaimed role in the Oscar-nominated Anatomy of a Fall."
The premise is stark and unsettling, following a narrative arc where a French teenage gamer goes on a virtual "American rampage." The protagonist travels to Florida and spirals through a world that "can't look away," depicting a reality where violence is not just committed but "packaged, shared, and applauded,” as reported by IGN. The title itself is a nod to the elusive "six-star" wanted level from early GTA games, representing the ultimate escalation of police response and total chaos.
Filming a Real-Life ‘GTA’ in Tampa
To achieve the gritty, sun-soaked aesthetic reminiscent of GTA’s, Wiseman shot the film on location in his hometown of Tampa, Florida. Produced alongside Christa Boarin without massive studio backing, the project turns fan passion into polished action. According to reports, behind-the-scenes clips showcase high-energy chases and stunts evoking GTA's gritty action, achieved on a lean indie production. To complement the visuals, Wiseman collaborated with composer Trevor Gureckis, who scored M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, to create a tense and high-octane auditory atmosphere.
While the timing is strategic, tapping into the massive cultural hype surrounding the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Six Stars aims to be more than a simple tribute. IGN stated that the film serves as a critique of modern entertainment, questioning the representation of masculinity and the glorification of violence, which it describes as "one of the United States' chief exports." While the game series has historically been viewed as a "virtual museum" that satirizes American excess, this film flips the dynamic, using the medium of cinema to reflect that chaos back onto reality.
Before its digital debut on the Short Frame YouTube channel, Six Stars made significant waves on the festival circuit. It premiered as the Opening Night selection at the Academy-qualifying HollyShorts Festival. Machado-Graner's raw performance has been highlighted for selling the virtual-to-real crossover, blending outsider shock with Florida grit.
