Achiever
Director: Charlie Traisman
Cast:Katherine Romans, David Brown, Geoffrey James, Christopher James Stevens, Caleb Cruz
Crew:Writer: Claire McFadden. Producers: Charlie Traisman, Katherine Romans, Elizabeth Valenti.
Email:assistant@madhouse-films.com
Synopsis
When Alexa finds she can no longer orgasm due to her new antidepressants prescription, she embarks on a desperate journey to get off by any means possible, only to find herself “getting close” through an unexpected connection.
About the director
CHARLIE TRAISMAN is a film producer and director, and the co-founder of Madhouse Films, a production company focused on bold, timely stories from female-, queer-, and BIPOC-led teams. Through Madhouse Films, they have produced various films including LONG PORK, directed by Iris Dukatt and starring Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and THE PLAN from writer/director Jess Barr, which premiered at Slamdance 2026.
Madhouse Films is an executive producer on FORBIDDEN FRUITS, the debut narrative feature from writer-director Meredith Alloway, and the documentary feature MANHOOD, directed by Daniel Lombroso—both of which premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival. Charlie made their directorial debut with the short film ACHIEVER, which also premiered at SXSW in 2026. They hold a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.F.A. from the American Conservatory Theater.
Filmmaker's note
I’ve been on Lexapro for over 15 years. I was prescribed it in high school during a rough bout of OCD, coupled with a depressive episode here and there. I can honestly say that little white pill changed my life - it gave my brain the buffer it so desperately needed to actually apply the tools my therapist was offering me. I don’t really foresee a day where I’ll go off it, nor do I want to. That said, it’s common knowledge that Lexapro, or any of the plethora of SSRIs out there make it increasingly difficult to orgasm. I always say it’s like watching a horse just go round and round a track to no end - “We’re almost there! Giddiup. Oop. Nope. Round Again”. So often we think of “coming” as essential for a worthwhile sexual experience. It puts a nice button on sex; leaving us with a feeling of satisfaction for achieving something. Not to mention, it can briefly quiet our anxious minds: a somatic release from the panic attacks, self-doubt, and perfectionism. Trust me, the irony is not lost on me that the very thing preventing this sort of release (i.e. the Lexapro), is exactly what so many of us need to not spiral into a deep deep hole (not that type of hole, get your mind out of the gutter.) In “Achiever”, we’re not only exploring what sex and/or intimacy can be without orgasm, but also what it means to let go as we pursue a life not bound or defined by our mental illness. What does it look like to ~actually~ pursue a new way of living and relinquish the myriad of ways we attempt to control? And what can we begin to experience when we let ourselves just be?