“It was very interesting to read it, and have Tom DeLonge describe it”: Casper Van Dien on Monsters of California

Tom DeLonge’s directorial debut, Monsters of California, is a sci-fi coming-of-age adventure rooted in his long-standing fascination with UFOs and the unexplained. Set against the suburban sprawl of Southern California, the film follows a trio of restless teenagers – Dallas Edwards (Jack Samson), Riley (Jared Scott) and Toe (Jack Lancaster) – who stumble into a series of strange events and quickly find themselves pursued by shadowy military operatives, led by Dallas’s uncle, Myers (Casper Van Dien).

Ahead of the film’s UK release, Van Dien spoke to The Upcoming about working with DeLonge, describing his directorial style as “musical” in its rhythm and flow. He shared how the project challenged his own views on long-standing alien conspiracies and reflected on why he believes this genre-blending film, with its mix of 80s nostalgia and contemporary intrigue, may strike a chord with audiences across generations.

Christina Yang

Monsters of California is released for home viewing physically and digitally on 7^th July 2025.

Watch the trailer for Monsters of California here: