Exclusive Interview: Ben Krieger on His Leading Role in The Short Game, the Film’s Poignant Themes, and More

Ben Krieger is hitting his stride and making his mark on the big screen with The Short Game, a heartfelt indie film where he steps into his first leading role and proves he’s a rising star worth watching.

In the film, Krieger plays Jeremy Avery, a high school golfer vying for a college scholarship. But Jeremy’s preparation—and his game—are deeply affected by the pressures of caring for his younger autistic brother, Ethan. As Jeremy embarks on a journey of self-discovery, he also uncovers Ethan’s savant-like gifts, realizing that together, they could become an unstoppable duo. Yet, on the cusp of his greatest victory, Jeremy faces a life-altering decision: to achieve his own personal dreams or to stand by his brother when it matters most.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Ben to discuss The Short Game, his experience leading the film, and the poignant themes woven throughout its story.

PC: The Short Game is such a feel-good movie that feels so necessary today, especially with everything happening in the world. What was it about this script and character that resonated with you?
Ben: It was the plotline about the autistic brother that really caught my attention. I grew up with a close friend who was autistic. He’s a brilliant, amazing human being, and I went to elementary and middle school with him. He was a great friend. Our school was a very small, close-knit group—there were only twenty kids in our grade. But then we went to a much larger high school, and I noticed he had a harder time. People didn’t understand him; they didn’t see how great he was. They’d hear “autistic” and think, “He’s different,” which is true, but aren’t we all? Growing up with him, I saw that shift and noticed how people react when they hear the word “autistic” or see social differences. They overlook the incredible gifts that come with that. I wanted to tell this story because of that experience and friendship. I want people to be open to connecting with people on the spectrum.

PC: Beautifully said. That’s also one of the hallmarks of the film medium as a whole. The Short Game does not work unless you believe in the brotherhood between Jeremy and Ethan and the journey they undergo. How did you and Owen [Himfar] go about building that bond and chemistry?
Ben: That was really important to me. I wanted to build a genuine relationship between us as people, behind the scenes, before anything else. I met him on the first day of work, so we didn’t have much time to form a bond beforehand. I was on set a few days before he arrived.

I acted a lot as a kid, so I know that coming onto a set can be overwhelming. It’s exciting, but there’s also a level of professionalism expected. There’s a lot happening. I thought, when this kid shows up, let’s make sure he feels welcomed. I wanted to treat him like a brother right from the start because we didn’t have much time before our first scene. I really wanted us to start off on the right foot.

It was instant from the first day. I was in the middle of filming a scene with Tyler [Lofton], who plays Tommy, and we went over to meet Owen’s family. We were all hanging out, playing games on our phones between takes. We instantly found some common interests. We’d hang out off set, grab food, and just spend time together. We got close to his family, and an amazing relationship was formed.

PC: As audience members, you really feel that. I also think that so many people will connect with Jeremy’s journey throughout the film; it’s so relatable. It’s about reconnecting with a passion he loves and getting out of his own head. As an artist, have you ever experienced that self-doubt or loss of love for storytelling? Did you draw on any personal experiences when embodying this character?
Ben: There are definitely two things going on with Jeremy that I’ve experienced myself. That sense of doubt stems from his lack of self-belief, but he’s also making excuses. He blames his family and the responsibility of taking care of Ethan—he’s got all these reasons for why he can’t focus. But underneath it all, there’s a deeper issue. You can’t just blame everything on what’s happening around you.

I grew up as both an actor and musician, and I think many of us go through this when we first leave home or go to college. We feel like big fish in small ponds, and then we enter the real world, studying our craft alongside others who were also the best in their schools. Suddenly, there’s this sense of doubt. You thought you were a lot better than you actually are, and while it’s amazing to see others who are great at what they do, it can also make you feel question your own abilities.

When you don’t believe in yourself, like Jeremy, it’s easy to make excuses instead of focusing on the real issue, which is owning up to your self-doubt. You have to confront that before you can put the blame anywhere else.

Jeremy does a lot of that in the first half of the movie. He shames Tommy and his parents at those dinner scenes, and it’s hard to root for him at first. But we all go through those moments when we feel insecure. When you feel negative about yourself, it shows in how you interact with others. I definitely drew from my own experiences for that part of Jeremy’s journey.

PC: In addition to the incredible work you’ve done on stage and screen, you’re also a musician. How much do you lean on music to get into the headspace of your character and the emotional places you need to reach for Jeremy?
Ben: That’s a great question. People often ask whether I want to focus more on music or acting, but I think now, more than ever, they’re so intertwined—both as art forms and in the way you approach them. I think I’m able to do both well because of this well of empathy I have, my ability to understand emotions, and my instinct to step into other people’s shoes.

When it comes to acting, I love to incorporate music as much as possible to get into the headspace. I create a playlist for each character, filled with songs they would listen to. Music is such a revealing aspect of who someone is—it’s like the soundtrack of their life and really shapes their emotions day-to-day. I did this with Jeremy, and it helped me connect to his journey.

PC: This is such a deeply personal story for Frank Sanza, the director, who was a high school golfer and is also a father of an autistic son. What was it like collaborating with him to bring that authenticity to the screen?
Ben: There’s so much of Jeremy’s story that I hadn’t experienced myself. I didn’t play sports in high school. I competed a bit in thespian festivals and things like that, but golf was entirely new to me. I probably would have tried it eventually, but joining this cast meant learning it right away. Frank was incredibly special to work with. Another reason I was drawn to this project was because I knew he had such a clear vision. This story is deeply ingrained in his life—it mirrors his own experiences. The same way I approach a character with delicate, thoughtful care, Frank brings that same level of attention to his storytelling. I have a lot of respect for him, and I felt the same respect from him. We both had a shared commitment to bringing this story to life.

PC: That collaboration leads to great performances like the one you deliver. You also have a theater background, where you get that immediate response from audiences, but that immediacy isn’t always present in film and television. As you’ve brought this project around the festival circuit, what’s it been like getting to see that response firsthand?
Ben: It’s been amazing. We had our first festival at Newport Beach two or three weeks ago, and it was my first time seeing myself on screen in a feature film. That was my second festival; I went to Tribeca with a short a few months ago. But this was very different because I’m in almost every scene, on screen for nearly an hour and 45 minutes. It was surreal. Being in that situation has been a dream of mine for so long. To be there and share it with people I love, as well as those I didn’t know, was incredible.

You mentioned theater, and it’s funny because the feedback and how I felt after the movie was so similar. People would come up to me and say, “That was amazing. You were amazing.” It reminded me so much of my time on Broadway national tours when I was younger, meeting people at the stage door afterward, seeing how affected they were by the art they’d just experienced, and having them thank me for my part in it. That visceral feeling brought me back to those days, seeing that same reaction in a different medium.

PC: There’s something really special about seeing a project you’ve created on the big screen with an audience for the first time. You’ve worked on projects of all sizes. What is it about independent filmmaking that excites you as a storyteller and as an artist?
Ben: This was my first experience with independent filmmaking. I’d done a pilot for Nickelodeon and worked on Broadway, but this was different—it was a much more collaborative process than anything I’d experienced. Everyone involved cared deeply about what we were making. It wasn’t just about completing a checklist; even the person handling props understood the significance of each item. That kind of dedication was present throughout the entire cast and crew. We filmed in Texas in 100-degree heat, and to stick it out, you had to be invested in the project. We all really cared, and I think that passion shows on screen.

PC: Outside of The Short Game, you’re dropping a new single on November 22nd. Tell us about the inspiration behind “The Lotto,” and if we’re leaning towards a bigger project or maybe a tour in the future?
Ben: I’m not leaning towards a bigger project right now, but all the songs I’ll be releasing in the next few months share a similar vibe. The inspiration behind “The Lotto” is about the one who got away, and the idea that if we gave it another shot, maybe we’d hit the jackpot.

Last year, I released an EP that was more folk-inspired and slower. I loved creating it, and I know there are people who connected with it deeply—it was reflective, something you could sit with privately. I grew up on singer-songwriter, folk music, so that style means a lot to me. But I missed making upbeat music that brings people together. I want to see people smile, feel that connection to the music in a different way. That’s why I released “Rockstar” last month. “The Lotto” is upbeat too; I want it to be something people can dance to and enjoy together.

Make sure to follow Ben on Instagram. Keep up with The Short Game by following their officialInstagram.