Gavin Michael Booth’s Dreamcrusher, now streaming on Reveel, is the debut season of Reward, an ambitious interactive mystery series. The hook: one viewer will win a $100,000 prize by solving the murder of rising pop star Gwyn Thompson (Brittany Charlotte Smith). Clues to the killer’s identity are embedded in each episode and extended online through a series of puzzles, blogs, social media posts, and even phone numbers—turning this indie series into a fully immersive detective hunt. Viewers can sign up as investigators and play along at home by visiting the official site. Due to high engagement, a bonus episode drops June 10, with the finale set for June 20.
The story begins on the eve of Gwyn’s career-defining album release, titled Dreamcrusher. Once a member of the band Red Wreckage, Gwyn had broken away to pursue solo success, leaving behind her former bandmate Jill(Jennifer Mika), her old teacher Ruth (Deb LeClair), and her ex-boyfriend Jeff (Michael Zuccola). In the early episodes, tensions rise as these characters resurface, each bringing unresolved emotional baggage. Jill confronts her over being abandoned, Ruth reminds her of promises made, and Jeff claims he never got repaid for the money that launched her career.
Mid-season episodes focus on Gwyn’s unraveling control over her career and her past with the band. In episode three, viewers learn the label is tightening its grip on her image and sound, casting doubt on who really has her best interests at heart. Episode four explores her Red Wreckage years—meeting Jill at a studio job, falling for Jeff, and eventually heading west, where she would be discovered by her manager, Cassidy (Mary Pursell). Though the album brought success, the cracks in her personal life began to widen, and the band ultimately fractured when Gwyn chose L.A. over love.
In episode five, Gwyn is found murdered after her hometown celebration. Detective Yvonne Westerburg (Kimberly Fogelgren) leads the investigation, and suspicion falls on several key players. Jill and Gwyn had a public fight over songwriting credits. Jeff is under pressure after his father’s death and claims Gwyn broke a financial promise. Dawson (Damien Chinappi), a desperate agent, needed to sign her or lose his job. Reggie (Kaleal Cerafici), a drunk fan, was kicked out of the party and never returned home. The finale shifts to a social media frenzy—true-crime influencers and fans debating theories, driven more by bias than facts. With everyone speculating and no clear consensus, it’s left to viewers to crack the case and earn the reward.
Brittany Charlotte Smith as pop star Gwyn Thompson, getting ready backstage in a pivotal moment from Gavin Michael Booth’s Dreamcrusher.
“…cracks in her personal life began to widen, and the band ultimately fractured…”
I’ve only been asked to review the series. So, no, I don’t know who did it, and as much as I can use the cash, I’m prohibited from pursuing the prize…for integrity’s sake. Dreamcrusher is essentially a fictional true crime documentary mixed in with a bit of MTV’s Diary. Writer/director Gavin Michael Booth builds the story of an emerging pop star who wrestles with the allure of fame and the disillusionment of the music industry. Booth captures all of the juicy details in the life and career of Gwyneth Thompson.
Booth checks all the essential boxes in both the crime and pop bio genres. He’s assembled the cast that makes Gwyn flawed but sympathetic, and all of his suspects are…well, suspect. In other words, Booth has done his research to tell an authentic tale with its authentic flaws. Each episode—except the last—provides 15 minutes of engaging material. You don’t need to dig for clues to enjoy the aftermath of Gwyn’s final demise.
Dreamcrusher succeeds by blurring the lines between scripted drama and interactive true crime. Gavin Michael Booth delivers a tightly crafted mystery with all the hallmarks of a compelling whodunit—credible suspects, mounting tension, and emotional stakes—all wrapped in the gloss of pop stardom. Even if you’re not in it for the prize, the series rewards you with a gripping, well-executed narrative worth streaming to the very end.
Become a Dreamcrusher investigator at Reveel.Net:
"…checks all the essential boxes..."
I’ve watched true crime all my life and have always enjoyed figuring out “who done it”. Thank you , Gavin for creating this and allowing the audience to experience solving the mystery and a chance to win money.