In co-writer/director John Paul Ungaretti’s Unexpected Treasures, Hartley (Olivia Blue) is a down-on-her-luck young woman living in the desert whose life is thrown into chaos when she encounters Sam (Mike Manning), an alien on the run hiding out in the Mojave. This chance meeting sets them on a desperate desert journey, chased by a bounty hunter (Jay Whittaker).
Along the way, Hartley and Sam connect with unlikely allies, including Frank (Michael Dunn), a UFO fanatic convinced he’s finally found proof of life beyond Earth, and June (AnnaMaria Demara), a tough mother trying to rebuild her life. As the group bands together, they uncover ancient desert prophecies that might hold the key to Sam’s survival and Hartley’s future. The danger builds as the bounty hunter closes in, forcing Hartley to rely on the very stories she once ignored.
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“…life is thrown into chaos when she encounters Sam, an alien on the run…”
Ungaretti has described Unexpected Treasures as a story about the connections we form in life, whether it be family, friends, culture, or lore — sometimes even alien lore. In crafting this tale, the filmmaker and co-writer Christina Heller drew inspiration from the folklore and UFO legends of Joshua Tree and the Mojave Desert, aiming to tell a grounded story that blends mystical and alien elements. Themes of belonging and home also run throughout, with Hartley’s isolation living in the desert mirrored by Sam’s displacement, exiled on Earth without another one of his kind to rely on. Their shared journey becomes one of finding friendship and trust with those close to us.
The best part of Unexpected Treasures is that it’s a tale suitable for the whole family. The story makes no attempt to dumb down aliens or insert silly moments for lame humor or dad jokes. It treats its audience with respect. Ungaretti also captures the beauty of the desert—one of our great ecosystems that goes unnoticed. The film’s special effects are also quite beautiful.
Unexpected Treasures reminds us that survival is only part of the journey—it’s all about the connections we forge along the way. By drawing from desert folklore with an alien twist, the film delivers an adventure that’s both exciting and unexpectedly touching.
For screening information, visit the Unexpected Treasures‘ official website.
"…suitable for the whole family."
