Articles, Release Notice

RLJE FILMS & SHUDDER ACQUIRE NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO SIMON BARRETT’S “SEANCE”

LOS ANGELES (February 24, 2021) – RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, and Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, have acquired the North American rights to the horror film, SEANCE. RLJE Films plans to release the film in theaters, On Demand and Digital on May 21, 2021 and Shudder will premiere the film on its platform later in the year. Shudder has also acquired UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand rights. 

Simon Barrett

Known for writing some of the most revered horror films over the past decade, Simon Barrett (You’re NextThe Guest) wrote the screenplay of SEANCE and makes his feature-length directorial debut with the film.

SEANCE stars Suki Waterhouse (Assassination NationThe Divergent Series: Insurgent), Madisen Beaty (Once Upon a Time… In HollywoodThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Ella-Rae Smith (”Into the Badlands”, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Inanna Sarkis (Boo 2! A Madea Halloween), Seamus Patterson (“Channel Zero”) and Marina Stephenson-Kerr (“Channel Zero”).

“We’re so excited to finally be working with the amazingly talented writer and director of SEANCE, Simon Barrett,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer at RLJE Films. “Following the ever growing success of his previous work on You’re Next and The Guest, we can’t wait to share SEANCE with audiences.” 

Suki Waterhouse

“The Shudder team are big fans of Simon Barrett’s work as a screenwriter, so we leapt at the chance to be the streaming home for his directorial debut,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager. “We know our members will be chilled and delighted by what Barrett has crafted with SEANCE.”

“I’m thrilled that SEANCE has found a home with RLJE Films and Shudder, who are at the vanguard of releasing unique and original genre films. Both companies clearly respect and understand horror fans, for whom SEANCE was made,” said Barrett.

In SEANCE, Camille Meadows (Waterhouse) is the new girl at the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls. Soon after her arrival, six girls invite her to join them in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. But before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened.

SEANCE is a Dark Castle Entertainment Production in association with Addictive Pictures that was funded by Ingenious Media, Dark Castle Entertainment and HanWay Films. The film was produced by Alex Mace (Orphan), Matt Baker (Black Death), John Schoenfelder (Capone), Russell Ackerman (Hold the Dark), Tomas “Dutch” Deckaj (Capone), and Isaac Clements (Silent Night). Executive Producers are Daryl Katz, Chloe Katz, and Hal Sadoff of Dark Castle and Peter Watson and Marie-Gabrielle Stewart of HanWay. Additional executive producers include Daniel Negret and Andrea Scarso. Ward and Jess De Leo from RLJE Films as well as Emily Gotto from Shudder negotiated the deal with CAA and Dark Castle Entertainment on behalf of the filmmakers for North America, with HanWay Films handling Shudder sales for UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

ABOUT RLJE FILMS
RLJE Films’ recent features include Color Out of Space starring Nicolas Cage and Joely Richardson and written and directed by Richard Stanley; the critically acclaimed horror film The Dark And The Wicked from director Bryan Bertino; Steve Byrne’s The Opening Act from producers Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley; David Ayer’s The Tax Collector and Adam Egypt Mortimer’s Archenemy. Upcoming films include Sion Sono’s 2021 Sundance Film Festival premiere Prisoners of the Ghostland starring Nicolas Cage and Sofia Boutella and Shoplifters of the World from director Stephen Kijak.  us.rljentertainment.com.

ABOUT SHUDDER
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. To experience Shudder commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.shudder.com.

ABOUT AMC NETWORKS
AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films, and a number of fast-growing streaming services, including the AMC+ premium streaming bundle, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK (formerly branded “UMC”). AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind award-winning owned series and franchises, including The Walking Dead, the highest-rated series in cable history. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and Levity Entertainment Group, its production services and comedy venues business.  

ABOUT DARK CASTLE ENTERTAINMENT

Since its inception, Dark Castle has produced 22 films, including GOTHIKA, starring Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry and Robert Downey Jr., UNKNOWN starring Liam Neeson, and ROCKNROLLA directed by Guy Ritchie. Dark Castle is also well known for horror films such as ORPHAN, 13 GHOSTS, GHOST SHIP, and HOUSE OF WAX. The company re-launched in 2017. Productions since that time include THE EXPECTING, SEANCE, and a prequel to ORPHAN entitled ORPHAN: FIRST KILL.

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