Nicole Mattox, Daughter of Anchor Leslie Mouton, Rises in Micro-Drama Scene
Feb 28, 2026
"Dungeons of Ecstasy" poster | Source: instagram/fullmoonfeatures
Inside 'Dungeons of Ecstasy': How an Italy-Shot Thriller Blended Cult Film and Vertical Storytelling
"Dungeons of Ecstasy" took viewers from hospital rooms and mafia conspiracies to castles and historic Italian locations. Behind the thriller was an unusual collaboration that blended traditional filmmaking experience with the fast-growing world of vertical dramas.
When "Dungeons of Ecstasy" premiered on ReelShort in 2025, it immediately stood out from many of the platform's other releases. The thriller combined romance, mystery, mafia intrigue, and psychological tension, while taking viewers far beyond the familiar settings often associated with vertical dramas.
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Behind the story was an unusual creative partnership that brought together ReelShort, veteran filmmaker Charles Band, Full Moon Productions, and a cast of some of the vertical drama industry's most recognizable faces.
The result was a project that attracted attention from viewers and offered a different take on what a vertical drama could be.
A Different Kind of Vertical Drama
"Dungeons of Ecstasy" follows travel writer Emily Cattaneo, whose seemingly perfect marriage is shattered after a devastating car accident. When she wakes up in the hospital, her husband Luke is gone, leaving only finalized divorce papers behind.
Determined to uncover the truth, Emily travels to Italy, where she encounters Lucian, a mysterious mafia boss who looks exactly like her missing husband.
The story blends romance and suspense with mafia conspiracies, hidden identities, and a series of trials inside Lucian's mysterious fortress.
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Eric Guilmette as Lucian and Nicole Mattox as Emily in "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/erictaylorguilmette
While the setup contains elements familiar to vertical drama audiences, the series leaned heavily into thriller territory, creating a tone that felt distinct from many contemporary romance-focused releases.
The film is led by Nicole Mattox as Emily Cattaneo and Eric Guilmette as Luke and Lucian. They are joined by Felix Merback as Jonah De Luca, along with Alexis Harris, Mark Aaron, and Francesco Meoni in supporting roles.
Eric Guilmette, Nicole Mattox, and Felix Merback behind the scenes of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/erictaylorguilmette
Bringing Full Moon Productions Into the Vertical Space
One of the most notable aspects of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" was the involvement of Charles Band, the longtime filmmaker and producer behind Full Moon Productions.
According to fellow producer and cast member Felix Merback, the project grew out of conversations he had with Band after working together on the feature film "Amy the Visitor."
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As vertical dramas gained momentum in the United States, Merback introduced Band to the format and the opportunities it presented. Over time, the discussions evolved into a plan to create a vertical series together.
Director Charles Band and Eric Guilmette behind the scenes of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/erictaylorguilmette
Rather than developing the project entirely in-house, the team worked closely with ReelShort while building the concept. Merback explained that they presented multiple ideas before eventually landing on what became "Dungeons of Ecstasy." Writer Cypress Bai was then brought in to develop the screenplay.
For Band, the project also represented a return to familiar territory. Merback noted that the filmmaker had spent part of his childhood in Italy and had shot numerous films there throughout his career.
Although Band had not filmed a project in the country for more than a decade, he maintained strong local connections that helped make the production possible.
Charles Band with Nicole Mattox behind the scenes of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/nicolemattox_
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Filming in Italy
The Italian setting became one of the production's defining features.
Cast members Mattox and Guilmette described arriving on location and finding themselves filming in historic towns, castles, and other visually striking locations that would have been difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Guilmette also pointed to locations such as Monster Park and several historic Italian sites that gave the series a scale rarely seen in vertical productions.
Eric Guilmette and Nicole Mattox on location in Italy for "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/erictaylorguilmette
Merback echoed those sentiments, explaining that the production benefited from access to locations throughout the region, including Orvieto and the Sacred Forest, better known to some visitors as Monster Park.
The setting quickly became one of the show's most talked-about elements. As Guilmette put it, the team felt like they had "hit all the things that would make a good movie" by combining strong locations, an experienced crew, and a compelling script.
On location in Rome, Italy for "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/erictaylorguilmette
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Casting Nicole Mattox and Eric Guilmette
The casting process also came together in an unexpected way.
Merback revealed that Guilmette was initially unavailable because he was already committed to another production. After several conversations, however, he agreed to read the script and quickly changed his mind.
Eric Guilmette behind the scenes of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/erictaylorguilmette
Mattox's involvement followed shortly afterward. Although both actors had been working in the vertical drama industry since 2023, "Dungeons of Ecstasy" marked their first time working together. Guilmette later recommended Mattox for the role of Emily, and the production team quickly moved forward with the casting.
Nicole Mattox behind the scenes of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: instagram/nicolemattox_
The collaboration proved to be one of the project's strengths. Both actors spoke highly of the experience and described the production as one of their favorite filming experiences.
Expanding the Possibilities of Vertical Storytelling
Beyond its ambitious production, "Dungeons of Ecstasy" aimed to broaden the kinds of stories being told in the vertical drama space.
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Guilmette described the series as a romance thriller and suggested that Full Moon's involvement could help introduce new audiences to the format.
The production was also designed for more than a standard vertical release. According to Guilmette, the series was filmed with both vertical and traditional widescreen presentations in mind, allowing it to exist in multiple formats.
Nicole Mattox and Eric Guilmette behind the scenes of "Dungeons of Ecstasy" | Source: intstagram/erictaylorguilmette
A Thriller That Found an Audience
The gamble appears to have paid off.
During promotional interviews, the cast and producers spoke about the strong response the series received from viewers, including significant engagement on social media and growing interest in a potential continuation of the story.
The show's reception ultimately culminated in a major recognition from fans when it won Action Thriller of the Year at the 2025 Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards.
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For a project that brought together a veteran cult filmmaker, an experienced vertical drama cast, and an ambitious international production, the award served as a fitting milestone.
"Dungeons of Ecstasy" may have started as an experiment in blending different worlds of filmmaking, but it ultimately demonstrated how much room remains for innovation within the vertical drama space.
