When a down-on-his-luck reporter is hired to ghostwrite the memoirs of a legendary statesman, he gains access to the presidential library of a disgraced politician— only to find himself trapped in a violent hostage siege.
Type:
Feature
Status:
For sale
Page Count:
102pp
Genre:
Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Budget:
Blockbuster
Age Rating:
17+
Based On:
Original Idea
Synopsis/Details
When underdog reporter Sean Slater agrees to co-author the memoir of controversial Secretary of State Bryson Chalmers, he never expects the assignment will plunge him into a deadly conspiracy buried beneath the gleaming façade of the Dixon Presidential Library. As a protest rages outside, Sean and his unlikely companion— his ex-wife Abby's current beau, investigative journalist Adam Grayson— uncover a hidden digital archive powered by AI recreations of historical figures. But the deeper they dig, the more dangerous the truth becomes. What begins as research soon reveals a trove of encrypted files tied to a classified operation known as “Vide Ne Malum” —a covert plot involving regime change, disinformation, and a biological threat on U.S. soil. When a militant faction seizes control of the library and takes hostages— including Abby, Sean’s son, and Adam's daughter— the line between history and propaganda turns lethal. As the walls close in, Sean and Adam must navigate dueling timelines, unstable alliances, and the AI ghost of President Dixon himself. Outside, a viral leak ignites a media firestorm; inside, hostages bleed, secrets detonate, and the past literally threatens to explode. From White House backchannels to Panamanian prisons and Texas skies, this fast-paced political thriller interrogates the cost of erasing history—and the danger of letting it repeat. Smart, sharp, and emotionally charged, Archival is a ticking-clock tale where truth is both weapon and battlefield. ARCHIVAL When you look long into the memory hole, you won't like what's staring back...

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The Writer: Brefni O'Rourke

New York based screenwriter and novelist. Author of more than 60 original feature-length spec screenplays, primarily within the action, suspense-thriller, and horror genres. The "cinematic Brefniverse" includes: " The Awning ", a supernatural thriller, has been named a quarterfinalist in the 2023 WeScreenplay Feature contests. It was named a finalist in the 2022 Story Pros International Screenplay Contest and has been awarded a Coverfly badge of - Top 6% of discoverable projects. In March of 2023 it made the Red List as the # 8 ranked thriller screenplay. (The novel is now available on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD4ZKQDZ ) " Wake ", a psychological thriller, was recognized as a… Go to bio
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