Service Industry Horror-Comedy ‘We’re So Dead’ Premieres at The Plaza Benefiting Giving Kitchen for National Food Service Worker Day

The Plaza Theatre, located at 1049 Ponce DeLeon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, will host a premiere screening of the horror-comedy film “We’re So Dead” on Monday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. The event will bring together the film’s cast, producers, and filmmakers with the local community for an evening celebrating restaurant culture, humor, and philanthropy. All ticket sales will support Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding food service workers facing crises. National Food Service Worker Day is a special day that acknowledges the hard work and dedication of food service professionals.

Created by career restaurant workers, “We’re So Dead” combines slapstick comedy with horror to portray the lively chaos and camaraderie of restaurant life. The film centers on a restaurant staff forced to work a quiet Christmas Eve shift, only to face a terrifying challenge from a lone patron. Director and co-writer Ken MacLaughlin, who spent fifteen years in the service industry, said, “Partnering with Giving Kitchen is the perfect way to bring this film to life in Atlanta. This movie was created out of the world we know so well, and it only feels right to give back to the people who inspired it.”

Giving Kitchen provides emergency financial assistance and connects food service workers to vital resources for mental health, housing, and substance abuse recovery. Since its founding, the nonprofit has supported more than 31,000 workers and distributed over $16 million in financial assistance. For this event, Giving Kitchen will receive $2.13 from every ticket sold—symbolizing the federal tipped minimum wage that restaurants are permitted to pay servers under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, Co-Founder of Giving Kitchen, expressed excitement about the partnership: “This independent film is made by and for the food service industry—filled with the unspoken camaraderie that only our community understands. Partnering means we can celebrate our unique industry culture while turning every ticket into real support for the people who make it all happen.”

Produced largely by restaurant workers through a crowdfunding campaign, “We’re So Dead” features a talented ensemble cast including Jenna Kanell, known for “Terrifier” and “Renfield” as Ashley; Kevin Saunders of “One Fast Move” and “Hysteria” as Doug; Artemis, seen in “Sweet Magnolias” and “Stargirl” as Gina; Leanna Adams, whose credits include “Christmas with Jerks” and “Pollen” as Karen; Darron Cardosa, widely recognized for his satirical persona The Bitchy Waiter as Dirk; Ethan Trace, a viral TikTok creator and star of “The Next 24 Hours” as Peter; Aria Celeste Castillo, known for “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” and “NCIS: New Orleans” as Kylie; Aaron Goldenberg of “Bad Monkey,” “Grosse Pointe Garden Society” and “Swarm” as Pancake; and introducing food content creator Olivia Tiedemann in her feature film debut.

Produced through a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder, the film was financed largely by restaurant workers, many of whom are longtime fans of The Bitchy Waiter and MacLaughlin’s content.

The filmmakers and cast will be present at the screening, offering fans an opportunity to engage directly with the creators. Tickets for the Plaza Theatre screening are available now.

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