Long before queer pop star Chappell Roan became a global icon, she teamed up with a filmmaker from Los Angeles to create her initial — and so far only — film score.

The short horror film “Posies,” released in 2022, is now available for streaming and showcases Roan’s haunting vocals for an original song, along with her 2018 hit, “Bitter.”

This 14-minute film centers on Maddy (played by Anna Diop), who tries to conceal her transformation into a monster by hiding flowers beneath her skin.

“I aimed to craft a narrative that mirrors today’s world − illustrating how effortlessly and frequently people commit dreadful acts and treat them as mundane,” director Rachel Stavis shared with YSL News. “And to provoke thought on the potential ramifications of those choices, emphasizing how they can lead us to lose our humanity and turn into the nightmares we desperately try to hide from ourselves and others.”

Rachel Stavis, based in Los Angeles, is a celebrity exorcist and the author of “Sister of Darkness: The Chronicles of a Modern Exorcist.” This book, currently being adapted into a TV show, details her experiences as a “secular exorcist,” working with a diverse range of clients, from “young children to Hollywood executives, stay-at-home moms, and political figures.” “Posies” marks her debut in filmmaking.

Collaborating with Chappell

The journey for “Posies” began in October 2019, with production kicking off in December of the same year, primarily filmed in New Orleans. Notably, most scenes were captured at Maison Vitry, a Creole mansion built in 1855 for a free woman of color, Louis Arsene Vitry.

Appreciating her work, Stavis reached out to Roan in September 2019 after discovering her music in 2018.

“Even though she mentioned she hadn’t composed a score before, it was clear she had the talent for it,” Stavis recounted. “Her voice serves as an instrument, and we believed it was precisely what ‘Posies’ required. It truly added to the haunting, ethereal atmosphere that enhanced both the visuals and the narrative.”

Stavis and Roan met in person in November 2019, and Roan delivered the final score by April 2020, according to Stavis.

“Working with her was incredible,” Stavis reflected on Roan. “She is genuinely kind, thoughtful, and immensely skilled. Her dedication and care for the project were remarkable and I’m thankful for that, both during and now.”

Roan’s team confirmed to YSL News that the original score for “Posies” was indeed composed by her.

How to watch ‘Posies’ for free

You can watch “Posies” for free on the Alter YouTube channel. What started as a YouTube platform is expanding into a horror streaming service dedicated to independent filmmakers.