Sydney Sweeney is targeted by the FBI in the preview of “Reality,” Tina Satter’s captivating biographical docudrama about Reality Winner, the American intelligence informant. Winner, who was incarcerated for divulging confidential information about Russia’s part in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, is portrayed by Sweeney in the upcoming HBO film. The cast also includes Marchánt Davis and Josh Hamilton. Satter’s production “Is This a Room” and the FBI’s transcript of their questioning of Winner at her residence just before her detention in 2017 inspired the film “Reality.”

Satter expressed to Variety, “Upon discovering the transcript of the interrogation, I was completely taken aback. The plot resembled that of a thrilling movie, leaving me in awe.”

On the contrary, Sweeney found it challenging to embody the role of Winner. She experienced a different sensation playing this character compared to her previous roles. According to Sweeney, Winner was already a living and breathing entity with her own thoughts and memories even before the script was created.

Satter, on the other hand, had a strong desire to direct the film. She had an artistic vision of how the film should look and feel. The idea of directing the film sparked a passionate drive within her that made her want to take charge of the project. Satter felt a deep connection to the film that resonated within her body and soul.

The movie premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February and received critical praise. According to Variety’s Jessica Kiang, who reviewed the film, Satter’s astute and self-aware direction prevented the movie from being labeled as a Fox-like production that relied on distortions and manipulations. She emphasized that all visual content, even the most rigorous reportage, is crafted and molded into stories by individuals with personal motives.

James Paul Dallas and Satter collaborated to adapt the screenplay. The movie is a production of Seaview and 2 SQ FT, with Noah Stahl, Brad Becker-Parton, Riva Marker, and Greg Nobile serving as producers. Ellyn Daniels, Will O’Connor, Daniel Ginsberg, Andrew Beck, Bill Way, Elliott Whitton, Eva Maria Daniels, Philipp Engelhorn, Caitlin Gold, and Tina Satter are the executive producers.

HBO will release “Reality” on May 29.