The Crypto is a real, independently produced 2023 action-mystery short film — but it is also one of the most obscure titles we cover on this site. Before rebuilding this page we verified it against IMDb, Letterboxd, Rotten Tomatoes, and Moviefone, and we want to be upfront: this is a no-budget, self-released passion project with almost no public information about its music. We’d rather tell you that honestly than invent a soundtrack that doesn’t exist.
Written, directed, produced, and edited by first-time filmmaker Joshua Carter, who also stars in the lead role, The Crypto was released for free as a nonprofit project on December 8, 2023. It follows a masked vigilante known as the Crypto who has protected his city for years — until the mayor is murdered and a new threat forces him to hunt down the killer.
Quick Facts
| Director | Joshua Carter |
| Writer | Joshua Carter |
| Starring | Joshua Carter (Jameson Wade / The Crypto), Ila Witt (Johanna Bankworth), Tre Kilgore (Commissioner), Billy Bribges (Mayor Michael), Christian Hernandez (Fighter) |
| Genre | Action / Mystery / Thriller (short film) |
| Runtime | 41–44 minutes |
| Release date | December 8, 2023 (United States; limited theatrical) |
| Studio | Filmbilow Pictures |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Composer | Not publicly credited (see below) |
Score & Composer: What We Could (and Couldn’t) Verify
Unlike most titles on this site, The Crypto does not have a publicly listed composer or music department credit on IMDb, Letterboxd, or Rotten Tomatoes. That’s not unusual for a self-funded short made and released for free by a first-time filmmaker — many micro-budget indie shorts use royalty-free library music rather than commissioning an original score, and the crew is too small to generate a music credit trail online.
We are not repeating the previous version of this page’s claim that the film features Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” and “Endless, Nameless.” We could not find any verifiable source connecting those songs to this specific film, and licensing major-label Nirvana masters would be unusual for a nonprofit, free-release short of this scale. Rather than repeat an unverified claim, we’re flagging it here instead.
Where to Watch The Crypto
Director Joshua Carter has said he wanted his first film to be nonprofit, meaning it would be free to watch once released. The film has circulated on YouTube and is listed on IMDb, Letterboxd, and Rotten Tomatoes. There is no evidence of a commercial soundtrack or score album release on Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music for this title as of this writing. If you’re looking for soundtracks from bigger-budget action and mystery titles, our movie soundtrack hub and streaming guide are good places to browse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Crypto a real movie?
Yes. The Crypto is a real independent short film released December 8, 2023, listed on IMDb (tt27710871), Letterboxd, and Rotten Tomatoes. It’s an extremely small, self-released production, which is why detailed information about it is hard to find.
Who directed The Crypto?
Joshua Carter directed, wrote, produced, and edited the film, and also stars in the lead role as Jameson Wade, aka the Crypto.
Is there a soundtrack album for The Crypto?
No verified soundtrack or score album has been released for this film. There is no publicly credited composer, and we could not confirm any specific licensed songs used in the film.
How long is The Crypto?
Sources list the runtime as between 41 and 44 minutes, making it a short film rather than a feature.
Where can I watch The Crypto?
The film was released for free as a nonprofit project and has circulated on YouTube. It is not currently listed on major subscription streaming platforms.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks Hub | Streaming Guide