'Corked' Apple TV Review: Brandt Kakulas and Zach Dakis Breakdown Their Indie Crime-Dramedy
A gripping story about corruption, loss, and suppressed rage inside a dangerous drug empire
Independent film Corked, a short film directed by first-time Greek-Australian filmmakers Brandt Kakulas and Zach Dakis, premieres Friday, May 8, on Apple TV, promising drama, laughs, heartbreak, and regret.
This film, which premiered in Melbourne in August 2025, is a crime dramedy about an undercover cop who is sent to infiltrate one of the UK’s largest drug empires, completely unaware of the change in internal power structure that threatens the entire organization.
Written by Kakulas and Dakis, the film stars Andrew Bayliss, Sarah Codd, Declan Harrison, George Alexander, and Joe Dias.
In the gritty underbelly of the drug world, Luca (Harrison) is enlisted by his unit to gain intel on Victor (Alexander). However, an operation that begins as a simple reconnaissance turns into something far more complicated than for what Luca trained.
From this realization, Corked takes you on a journey that explores corruption, dissention, loss, and remorse. Every character struggles to reconcile these feelings through every decision they make and every bullet they fire.
But the film isn’t just a play on words. By very definition, it signifies what happens when volatile feelings are suppressed—pressurized by resentment, ignorance, and power.
Yet the film doesn’t ask you to contain the aggression. It asks, who will you become when the anger is released?
I got the opportunity to speak with Kakulas and Dakis about the creation of Corked—the ups and downs of being first-time filmmakers and where they plan to apply the lessons learned for future projects.
While Corked may be their first major project, Kakulas and Dakis approached the film with an ambition that extends far beyond its independent budget.
What started as an idea quickly evolved into a breakthrough project, fueling their energy to bring their idea to fruition.
Kakulas: “The way in which the film started was it was going to be one of those conversations over a dinner that went for like 10 minutes and that was it. It was just dialogue because we didn’t have the budget to really shoot that much else. But once we started writing…the project sort of snowballed into something else.”
Inspired by mafia classics like The Godfather and Goodfellas—incorporating Guy-Ritchie-style filmmaking as well—Kakulas and Dakis experimented, taking chances that draw you in the moment you press play.
And despite the scale of the film’s visuals, the pair heavily relied on available resources, stock imaging, and old-school editing, ultimately becoming their greatest asset and strength.
Kakulas: “The barriers to entry that used to be in filmmaking is something that just doesn’t exist anymore. You can make a film for nothing.”
Kakulas and Dakis were entirely hands-on—as is often the case in independent filmmaking—from writing and directing to lighting, and even the background actors. This level of involvement led to an appreciation of the entire production process, not just the final product.
Dakis: “We sort of fell in love with the process and met a lot of really cool people while also building our team now for this upcoming feature film.”
That growth is already carrying into their next project, a romantic drama currently in development that is expected to begin filming later this year.
Unlike Corked, which balanced crime, comedy, and violence, the upcoming project will focus more heavily on emotional vulnerability and perseverance.
Kakulas: “This next project is more in line with our personal lives, our emotions. We’re pouring a lot more of ourselves into it than Corked.”
Although the team was small for Corked, the pair have already expanded their production team, 15 to 20 collaborators, in an effort to grow, create, and build lasting relationships within the independent film industry.
Kakulas: “We decided to build a bit of a team…we’re just trying to level up one step at a time.”
That desire to “level up” is evident throughout Corked. Despite its grounded production scale, the film looks and feels like a major studio production through its intentionality of framing, its themes, and the overall cinematography.
More importantly, it feels like the work of filmmakers willing to take risks while learning in real time.
Final Review
Corked is not only a metaphor for the film; it is a testament to what happens when creators unleash their vision into the world.
It’s a film that balances boldness with humor and violence, and the ending leaves the audience asking themselves if a life of containment is worth sacrificing your desires.
Stream Corked Friday, May 8, on Apple TV. Check out the trailer below.
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