LOS ANGELES — Indio Downey is preparing to take on his first leading role in a feature film, starring in the upcoming drama Love in Vein from writer and director Will De Los Santos.
Downey, 33, is a musician and the eldest son of Robert Downey Jr. His casting in the project was reported by Deadline.
Production on Love in Vein is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in March and April 2027.
What Is Love in Vein About?
The film adapts Ryan Leone’s novel Wasting Talent and centers on Damien, played by Downey, as he struggles with addiction, love and self-destructive behavior.
Set in Los Angeles’ underground scene, the story follows Damien as drugs, relationships and music intersect with the struggle to survive. The people in his life are also dealing with their own desires, dependencies and attempts to escape their circumstances.
In a statement, De Los Santos reflected on Leone’s work and the significance of bringing the story to the screen.
“Ryan left behind a brutally honest novel about addiction, love and Los Angeles. Since his passing, making Love In Vein has taken on an even deeper meaning for me. I want to honor his voice and the rawness of the book without softening its edges,” De Los Santos said.
How Does Indio Downey Relate to His Character?
The role carries a personal connection for Downey, who, like his father, has experienced struggles with addiction.
Robert Downey Jr. discussed his son’s difficulties more than a decade ago, describing the family circumstances and challenges that can contribute to addiction.
“He’s his mother’s son and my son, and he’s come up the chasm much quicker than we did. But that’s typical in the Information Age; things get accelerated,” Robert said in a 2014 Vanity Fair interview.
He also spoke about the complicated factors that can affect someone’s experience with addiction.
“You’re confronted with histories and predispositions and influences and feelings and unspoken traumas or needs that weren’t met, and all of a sudden you’re three miles into the woods. Can you help someone get out of those woods? Yes, you can. By not getting lost looking for them. Pick a dysfunction and it’s a family problem,” he said.
In 2016, Robert publicly praised Indio’s dedication to maintaining sobriety, sharing a message on Facebook that celebrated his son’s progress.
“Congrats are in order for my firstborn, and I’m proud to oblige – Having braved the crucible of addiction (and pleased the court), his ongoing commitment to recovery continues to inspire and amaze…,” he wrote.
Indio was arrested in 2014 and charged with felony cocaine possession. The charge was dismissed in 2016 after he successfully completed a 20-month drug diversion and rehabilitation program.
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