In Almaty, a cash-strapped couple hatch a plan to solve their money troubles, but soon become embroiled in a toxic web of social media, violent criminality and spiralling greed. This exhilarating, take-no-prisoners horror offers a blood-soaked satire on the indignities of late-stage capitalism.

Despite their daily affirmations and commitment to the grindset, Azamat and Tansholpan are completely broke. When their debts are violently called in, the ambitious couple hatch a plan to make quick money. With the help of a crooked lab assistant, the couple fakes a terminal illness, start a crowdfunder for “life-saving” treatment and swiftly go viral. Their rapid ascent to fame and fortune at first seems like a dream come true, but soon their celebrity attracts attention from Almaty’s criminal underworld, and their scheme spins dangerously out of control.

Aitore Zholdaskali started filming very young, creating short and industrial films as well as music videos. His first web series SHEKER (2020) became a huge success and has been watched by millions of people in the CIS. The series was screened at Cannes and Busan, won the “Short/Web Drama” category at the Asia Contents Awards in South Korea, and received seven nominations at the La Indie Film Festival in the USA. Later, he was involved in the successful Kazakh feature SHULAMAH (2024) as co-director. SICKO marks his debut as a solo feature film director.

Filmography: 2020 UYA (short film), 2020–2021 SHEKER, 2023 OCTAGON (both web series), 2024 SHULAMAH (co-directed with Igor Tsay), 2026 SICKO