What began as a dream for two brothers from Southern Illinois has blossomed into a nationally released feature film, reaching audiences across the country.
Kyler and Kaleb Cook, raised in Eldorado and alumni of both Southeastern Illinois College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, have recently released their first feature film, Just One More. The independent drama quickly gained traction, climbing into the Angel Studios Top 10 after its debut. The film tells the story of Jess, a young woman battling opioid addiction, whose life takes a dramatic turn after meeting Charles, a terminally ill man who spends his final days inviting strangers to stop and pray. Through themes of addiction, recovery, faith, and redemption, the film delivers a powerful message of hope and second chances.
Kaleb Cook, a graduate of SIU Carbondale’s film program, teamed up with his brother Kyler, who holds degrees in creative writing and communication studies. Before tackling their first feature, the siblings honed their craft by producing short films and building their independent production company, Twinbolt Media.
The project also has deep ties to White County. Producer Lauren Cook, Kyler’s wife and a Carmi native, has played a key role in the company’s growth and the film’s production.
“It’s still surreal to see our film streaming on a major platform,” Lauren Cook said. “A little over a year ago, this was just an idea, and now we’re seeing it impact a lot of people. We owe a huge part of that success to the support of our friends and family in Southern Illinois.”
The Cook brothers hope their journey encourages other aspiring artists and creators from rural communities to pursue their dreams.
“We want young people growing up in communities like ours to know they don’t have to wait for permission to start creating,” Kyler Cook shared. “You can begin where you are, build your skills over time, and create opportunities for yourself.”
Just One More is currently available to stream through Angel Studios.