Tina Kakadelis
Film Obsessive is thrilled to exclusively premiere the trailer for the upcoming The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg, which will have its world premiere at the 2026 Dances With Films: Los Angeles Film Festival on June 27. While the title may sound like a fairy tale, the film does not look as though it has a happily-ever-after waiting for viewers at the end. Based on a true story, The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg is a courtroom legal thriller about the pharmaceutical industry. Part Erin Brockovich, part The Constant Gardener, The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg is all fight against the greed of large corporations.
After the loss of her son, Amanda (Hannah Fierman) is desperate to get some answers from Dr. Jack Forteo (Andy Evans). He has written about the scientific possibility that depression can be seen in a brain scan, which Amanda believes could hold the key to understanding the death of her son. Instances of other teenagers taking their own lives after being prescribed an acne medication make Amanda curious if this supposed miracle drug could be related to the death of her son. The more she and Dr. Forteo investigate, the deeper they are pulled into Big Pharma’s web, and Big Pharma certainly doesn’t want to lose out on their billion-dollar-a-year medication.
The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg is based on the story of Douglas Bremner, who also wrote, produced, and directed the film. He conducted a brain study on the impact of acne medicine (isotretinoin, aka Accutane) usage. The result caused Bremner to become an expert witness to discuss the drug’s connection to depression and suicide in teenagers who used it. As part of the settlement with the drug’s manufacturer, the plaintiffs are unable to talk about the settlement. As such, The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg is a fictionalized story that has some aspects of reality.
Bremner is not the only scientist and medical expert behind the scenes. Neil Shulman, M.D., served as an executive producer before his passing in 2023. He worked as a doctor at Emory University and also found the time to write books and screenplays, like the Michael J. Fox-led Doc Hollywood. Shulman was also a recognizable clown to children for his show, What’s in a Doctor’s Bag?. He’s not the only doctor clown involved in this film, though. Patch Adams, MD, the real-life inspiration for the famed Robin Williams film, is an executive producer on the project. Together with the rest of the production team and cast, The Goose with the Golden Egg looks to be an honest, angry look at the state of the American healthcare system.
Dances With Films: LA will hold screenings and events at the TCL Chinese Theatre on 6925 Hollywood Blvd. in the Ovation Complex from June 18-28. For tickets and more information, be sure to check out the Dances With Film: LA Film Festival site.
