Shudder and Independent Film Company have signed a deal for Rod Blackhurst’s horror film Dolly, which will be released in theaters next year across North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the territories of Australia and New Zealand.
The film centers on Macy, a young woman who fights to survive after being abducted by a monster who attempts to raise her as a child. Critics have noted the fusion of French New Extremeity aesthetics and 1970s American horror sensibilities.
The ensemble includes Fabianne Therese, Seann William Scott, Ethan Suplee, Russ Tiller, Kate Cobb, and Michalina Scorzelli. Former NWA TV Champion Max the Impaler, also known as Non-Binary Nightmare, will make his film debut in the title role.
The Witchcraft Motion Picture Company production, which received critical acclaim at Fantastic Fest and Sitges Film Festival, marks a new genre project for Blackhurst, the Emmy- and Critics’ Choice-nominated filmmaker behind Blood for Dust and the Netflix documentary Amanda Knox. He also co-wrote Universal and Blumhouse’s “Night Swim” with Bryce McGuire.
Blackhurst co-wrote the screenplay with Brandon Weavile. Ross O’Connor is producing with Noah Lang and Blackhurst through his Witchcraft Motion Picture Company in association with Set Point Entertainment, Grimm Discoveries, Gentile Entertainment Group, Monarch Entertainment and Mama Bear Studios. Additional producers include Joseph P. Grano, Betty Tong, Esteban Sanchez, McGuire, Isaiah Smallman, and cast members Therese, Scott, and Suplee.
Samuel Zimmerman negotiated the acquisition of Shudder with Independent Film Company, with Blue Finch Film representing the filmmakers.
Steven Schneider’s credits include “Paranormal Activity” and “Insidious,” and he also stars Matt Patterson, Barry Large, Bobby Campbell, Sinan Germilli, Scorzelli, Rudy Mawer, and Cam. He will executive produce alongside Doody, Jared Horton, Travis Truitt, Anthony and John Gentile, Mike Chapman, Fatima Hayward, Antonio Dintino, Lawrence Dossier, and John. Neumann.
“‘Dolly’ is a grotesque and beautiful backwoods nightmare,” said Zimmerman, senior vice president of programming and acquisitions. “Rod Blackhurst and his team have gone beyond their influence to create a fascinating and frightening new monster, one to love and certainly to fear.”
“‘Dolly’ is the very kind of relentless, uncompromising genre filmmaking that we grew up loving, and it’s also a testament to what Witchcraft as a studio understands to be the most important thing it can do right now: creating original IP and making the movies that audiences want,” Blackhurst added. “Truly independent, thematically rich, and carefully crafted. ‘Dolly’ is here to stay, and we look forward to giving you the first chapter in a vast and frightening world.”
Witchcraft Motion Picture Company’s films include Amblin’s The White Room, Carter Smith’s Swallowed, the Peacock series John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, and the Independent Spirit Award-nominated This Is Not a War Story. The company is prepping Blackhurst’s action thriller Die By Night, while completing post-production on science fiction film Into the Sky, starring Sam Richardson and David Cross, and drama Ruby Road, executive produced by Rosario Dawson.
Blue Finch’s international lineup includes Fantasia selections “Hellcat” and “Hold the Fort,” as well as horror sci-fi “Affection,” co-starring Jessica Rothe.
