Lee J. Poichuk
A comedy-horror creature feature needs more than a hungry shark. It needs performers who can keep a scene lively when the danger is closing in, and make the audience believe the characters might still find a way out. In Sorority Shark Attack, Canadian actor Lee J. Poichuk brings that comic energy to a lake full of trouble as Squat.
The title promises action, and there is plenty of creature-feature mayhem in the mix. But the film’s engine runs on comedy and horror working side by side: characters face a real threat, emotions get complicated under pressure, and humor gives the audience a breath before the next splash.
Meet Lee J. Poichuk
Based in Toronto, Poichuk works across film, television and theatre. Industry profiles also describe him as a producer and director, a range of experience that makes him a compelling fit for independent genre filmmaking, where each performer helps shape the rhythm and character of a scene.
His role in Sorority Shark Attack is Squat. The name sets a playful note before the character even enters the story, placing him within a film that knows the pleasures of an outrageous premise and a sharply timed reaction. In a creature feature, the comic performer has a useful job: help the audience laugh, keep the characters human and make the threat feel immediate by contrast.
Poichuk was announced as part of the film’s “dynamic ensemble of young Canadian actors” alongside Kate Mayhew, Sarah Ircana, Elle Rose, Marc Rico Ludwig, Paul Matte, Martin Egas and Bailey Antzis. In the announcement, writer Bill Dever praised the cast’s contribution:
“We were really graced by a bevy of talented young performers. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and raw talent brought a fresh energy to the set, and I have no doubt they will be defining figures in Canadian genre film for years to come.”
Read the November 2025 cast announcement for more on the ensemble.
A screen and stage résumé
Poichuk’s screen credits span a decade. He appeared as Sterling in Embodiment (2016) and Heckler in White Night (2017), then as Sterling Lastman in Four Singles (2024) and Rob Gardener in Midnight Boulevard (2025). Industry databases also list him as known for People of Earth, The Forgotten and To Catch a Mouse, with credits on projects including Yo Fam! and Beachzza.
On stage, he played Luke Roberts in The Pain in My Ass or: How to Adult (2016), a credit listed in the Toronto Theatre Database profile. His screen filmography is available through AllMovie.
That mix of screen and theatre work is a useful foundation for a story that shifts between tones. Comedy asks for timing; horror asks for commitment to the danger. A performer has to make room for both, without letting a joke drain the tension or letting the tension flatten the humor.
One getaway. One genetically modified bull shark.
In Sorority Shark Attack, a group of sorority sisters heads away for a weekend. Their getaway takes a deadly turn when a ravenous, genetically modified bull shark disrupts the trip. With danger closing in, the young women must use their wits, courage and teamwork to survive.
The film is written by Bill Dever, directed by David Langlois and produced by Sam Dever. It is a loving homage to the exploitation films of the 1970s and ’80s, built around a simple, sharp hook: a lake retreat becomes a fight to make it out alive.
The lake is part of the threat in this creature-feature setup.
Filmed on location at Rice Lake, just south of Peterborough, the production combines practical effects with CGI to bring the shark threat to life. The finished film’s post-production wrapped on March 16, 2026, and a theatrical release is planned. Read the post-production announcement.
The ensemble includes Robert Carradine as Professor Marvin, Kate Mayhew as Chloe, Sarah Ircana as Alex, Elle Rose as Tiffany, Paul Matte as Greg Johnson, Marc Rico Ludwig as Lorne, Martin Egas as Rick and Poichuk as Squat. Bailey Antzis, Drew Antzis, Magdalena Barys, Lambros Bryan Demos, Kimm Dizdari, Ed Ho, Daniel Christian Jones, Nick Mirka and Vanessa Verdeaux also appear.
The film’s pulp-inspired artwork embraces creature-feature scale.
Comic relief is part of the survival plan
In genre movies, comic relief is not decoration. It changes the pace of a story. A laugh can release tension, but it can also sharpen the next scare: once an audience relaxes, the sudden return of danger hits harder. That balance depends on performers who can move between levity and urgency while keeping the story grounded.
That is why comic energy matters in a film built around a shark attack. The characters aren’t simply waiting for the next scare; they’re reacting, making choices and trying to hold together as circumstances get worse. Squat’s place in that ensemble gives the film another register to play with: one that can add warmth and unpredictability to the mayhem.
Comic peril works best when the danger still feels real.
For an indie film production company, casting performers who can serve several tones is a practical advantage as well as a creative one. It helps a scene carry both character and momentum. That kind of flexibility supports ambitious genre filmmaking, where every beat has to earn its place, and every laugh should leave the audience ready for what comes next.
The next act
Principal photography concluded in October 2025, and post-production is complete. Sorority Shark Attack is planned for theatrical release, with release details to come. For film updates and the wider Andromeda Studios slate, visit the Sorority Shark Attack project page and explore the full slate.
For genre fans, independent filmmakers and industry partners, this is a sharp example of the possibilities in independent film production: a clear hook, a committed ensemble and a creature-feature premise made for the big screen. And when the shark arrives, a well-timed laugh can be its own kind of life preserver.