Boxcutter is a Canadian drama film, directed by Reza Dahya and released in 2024. The film stars Ashton James as Rome, an aspiring rapper in Toronto who must try to find and recover his laptop, containing all of his song demo files, when it is stolen shortly before an important meeting with a music producer.

Co-star Zoe Lewis portrays Jenaya, the sister of Rome's friend Everton. Jenaya is an artist who accompanies Rome on his quest. Their journey through Toronto's neighbourhoods delves into themes of artistic ambition, gentrification and personal growth. [Cinema Axis]

Performance

Director Reza Dahya selected Zoe through a public casting call. Her chemistry test with lead actor Ashton James was pivotal in securing her the role. Dahya noted that both Lewis and James delivered performances that felt authentic and natural, effectively anchoring the film's emotional core. [Points of Review | Film Reviews]

The cast also includes Viphusan Vani, Clairmont the Second, Matthew Worku, Rich Kidd, Chelsea Braam-Carew, Nayo, Nick Atef, Izaiah Dockery, Angie Reid, Shomari Downer, Andréa Grant, Junia-T, Faizan Khan, Marlon Palmer, Charlie Ebbs, Alexa Higgins, Siobhan Johnson, Juan Arboleda, Richard Veltri, Sharon Forrester, Katie Ortencio, Teq Zwarych, Daniel Lavigne and Neema Nazeri in ing roles.

The film premiered at the 2024 Atlantic International Film Festival. It was subsequently screened at the 2024 Reelworld Film Festival, where Dahya won the award for Outstanding Direction in a Feature Film. It had its international premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025.