The Stroke is a 2017 dark comedy film directed by Phil Derrick and starring Robert De Niro, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifanakis, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. The film follows the family of Vincent Martino (De Niro) after he dies from a stroke. Derrick, who gained popularity with his independent film Work, wrote the initial script back in 2002, but felt that it needed to rest and he worked on it over the next few years. After gaining popularity, producer Aaron Trent backed Derrick's new project.