When darkness loves usThe new horror film from New Zealand director James Ashcroft (Jenny pen rule), will begin international sales at the upcoming Cannes Film Market.
Cornerstone has received international sales outside Australia and New Zealand for the title, which stars Emilia Clarke (game of thrones), Victoria Pedretti (You, Forbidden fruits), Marlon Williams (Sweet tooth(And Natasha McElhone)The Truman Show). Cornerstone will represent sales on behalf of Bleecker Street. Principal photography recently completed in New Zealand, and is scheduled for a U.S. release in 2027. Umbrella Entertainment will distribute the film in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The Chiller is an adaptation of Elizabeth Engstrom’s popular 1980s novel of the same name. Clarke plays a woman who, according to the official plot synopsis, “has survived 15 years trapped in an underground cave system, and returns to the surface to reclaim the family she believes is hers, no matter the great cost.”
“We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Bleecker on James Ashcroft’s bold vision that elevates the genre, and with Emilia Clarke leading an exceptional cast, we believe this film will resonate strongly with international audiences,” Cornerstone’s Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder said in a statement.
Ashcroft co-wrote the film’s screenplay with Hayley Sproul and Ellie Kent. Desray Armstrong is producing with executive producers including Ant Timpson, Ashcroft, Clarke, Katherine Bridle, Kent Sanderson and Tyler DiNapoli of Bleecker Street, and Ari Harrison and Jasmin McSweeney of Umbrella Entertainment. Bleecker Street’s Nicola Smith and Miranda King serve as co-producers.
Ashcroft’s next film is a psychological thriller The whispering manstarring Robert De Niro and Michelle Monaghan, will be released on Netflix later this year.
The Cannes Film Market takes place from May 12 to 20.
