The Big Reason Daily Wire’s ‘Confession’ is a Game Changer
Starry cast teams with Ben Shapiro for secret film bowing in November
The Left attacked screen icon Danny Trejo this month for a curious reason.
He chose to appear in the “wrong” film. By “wrong,” we mean the movie may pack a pro-ICE message.
The horror, the horror.
Danny Trejo had “never heard” of Ben Shapiro before signing on to star in his production company’s pro-ICE film “Pawn Shop,” says the actor’s son:
“My 82 year old dad has never heard of Ben Shapiro, I had to explain to him who that is, and what kind of guy he is. My dad contractually can’t badmouth him, the film, or walk away without being sued for breach of contract. He couldn’t even release the statement he wanted to.”
https://t.co/hJyVJ7J1gH
— Variety (@Variety) October 13, 2026
For the Left, it actually is a horror story. They want only one side of the culture reflected in movies and TV shows. Their side.
The Daily Wire’s upcoming “Pawn Shop” (working title) appears to take a positive view of ICE. That’s a no-no to the Modern Left.
The movement’s message to the film’s cast and crew members? Watch your back.
Sound hyperbolic? Not if you read the allegations lobbed by The Daily Wire about the recent shoot in Livingston, Mont.
Intimidation. Death threats. And more.
And, if cooler heads had not prevailed, it might have been worse.
The message sent to Trejo wasn’t aimed just at him. It’s to any actor who might team with The Daily Wire. We’re watching you (and good luck getting your next film role).
Remember how Debra Messing and Eric McCormack suggested Trump-supporting actors be targeted by Hollywood? This is more of the same.
How do you solve this type of large-scale bullying? Create so many targets the bullies slink away. And The Daily Wire may have done just that with one move.
Or movie, to be exact.
[Editor’s Note: This reporter contributes to The Daily Wire]
The conservative company’s “secret” new film, “Confession,” is coming Nov. 11 to the platform. It also will screen in select theaters that day.
The film, written by site co-founder Ben Shapiro, captures communism at its worst. Here’s the official film description:
In Stalin’s 1938 Moscow, a disillusioned former literature professor, Alexei, is arrested and brought to the infamous Lubyanka Prison, charged with conspiring with his dissident priest. There, Alexei faces interrogation by his brilliant and brutal former student, Vladimir.
The cast features many stars you’ve watched over the decades, including Rob Lowe, James Franco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Nick Nolte, Emile Hirsch, Richard Brake (“Batman Begins”), Brad Dourif (“Child’s Play” franchise) and Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”).
This isn’t about actors desperate for a break and seeing The Daily Wire as their last hope. These are recognizable faces with decades of film and TV experience.
Only Franco has faced a soft cancellation in recent years, and he’s getting back to work on multiple projects.
Each decided this story deserved their time and attention. And they aren’t the only “name” talents attached to the film. The director, Václav Marhoul, previously gave us 2019’s “The Painted Bird.” Cinematography is handled by Oscar-winner Peter Menzies Jr. (“Mad Max: Fury Road”).
This likely will be an impartial victory. Will any of the actors in the film promote the project in the mainstream media, let alone right-leaning outlets?
It’s common for stars to embrace faith-friendly films (think “Ordinary Angels” with Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson) and not promote the film with faith-friendly outlets. Their representatives understand the professional damage they face by siding up to a Christian or right-leaning project.
Greg Gutfeld has shared as much as it relates to his popular Fox News show, “Gutfeld!”
And some of these stars may feel pressure within their community (or via the Hollywood trades) about working with Shapiro. A few may even apologize after the fact.
Not all of them will, though.
The more stars put politics aside to make movies that interest them, the fewer times hard-working actors like Trejo will be bullied for doing what they do best.
Make movies.
Danny Trejo didn’t know what he was walking into?
Did he not read the frackin’ script? Isn’t that how it usually works? You read the script before you sign on to the project?
Kinda hard to recite your lines without reading them first, isn’t it?
Reading the script might have given Danny a pretty good idea of who Ben Shapiro is.
So either Danny is a total moron or his son is full of (expletive).