Factual content powerhouse Off the Fence has expanded its premium slate with the acquisition of Crime or Rescue, an upcoming 90-minute documentary from acclaimed SLAY director Rebecca Loviconi.
Billed as a “romantic true crime” fusion film, Crime or Rescue offers an unprecedented, real-time look at radical animal defense through a highly emotional, cinematic lens.
Crime or Rescue centers on a group of dedicated activists risking severe legal consequences to rescue animals from corporate testing labs and factory farms. However, the production took an unexpected turn when a genuine, viral love story blossomed between the subjects during filming. By combining intense courtroom drama and deep ethical questions with an organic romance, the film is uniquely positioned to captivate both social justice advocates and mainstream true-crime enthusiasts.
The feature is backed by a powerhouse production team, including producer Jay Karandikar and executive producer Ellen Windemuth, who took home an Academy Award and a BAFTA for Netflix’s My Octopus Teacher. Featuring a custom soundtrack curated by Moby, Crime or Rescue is currently in production and scheduled for global delivery in late 2026.
The film’s soundtrack features music by Moby, the six-time Grammy-nominated musician and longtime animal rights advocate who will also act as EP on the film, explaining: “Music is what I love, but working on animal rights is my life’s work. Please don’t give up hope —this film is proof that your courage matters’.
Rebecca Loviconi said: “For years I followed people who risk prison to save animals— and somewhere along the way, I watched two of them fall in love. Crime or Rescue is the most urgent, and the most human story I have ever told about love, inspiration and courage.’
The story features exclusive access to the open rescue earlier this year in March and consequent legal battle after activists raided Ridglan, a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility, rescuing 22 dogs, and triggering 20 arrests. Weeks later, they returned with 2,000 people to free every remaining dog, sparking a global media storm with the mass open rescue leading to the permanent closure of the centre. The story went viral in the US was covered extensively by CNN, Wired, The Washington Post and the Guardian.
At the heart of this legal and moral debate are lawyer Wayne Hsiung and rebel Rose Patterson who through the process of filming, fell in love, got married and adopted James, rescued from the facility in March. Hsiung’s open rescue philosophy argues that when the law fails to protect the innocent, the act of rescue is a moral, and potentially legal act. The film captures a movement at a turning point, and a love story no one saw coming.
Bo Stehmeier at Off The fence said: “This is a major coup for us and a blueprint for the future of impact filmmaking, high-stakes stories that entertain, engage and drive real-world action while the mission is still unfolding. Crime or Rescue has all the emotional and narrative hooks to compete with premium crime and thriller content, while offering audiences the rare opportunity to help shape a real-world outcome.
Rooted in a headline-making true story and backed by an authentic A-list ambassador with a global following, the film comes with a built-in audience and the reach to turn awareness into action. Off The Fence will be taking the project to market in search of broadcast and platform partners who want to align with a truly exceptional opportunity, one that combines commercial appeal, global audience engagement and measurable real-world impact.”
