The Leader (film)
American biopic crime drama film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Leader is an upcoming historical crime film written and directed by Michael Gallagher and starring Vera Farmiga and Tim Blake Nelson as the leaders of the suicide-cult who became known as Heaven's Gate who in 1997 perpetrated the biggest ever mass suicide on US soil.
- Micheal Gallagher
- Michael Wormser
- Joel David Moore
- Matt Murphie
- Jane Gallagher
| The Leader | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Gallagher |
| Screenplay by | Michael Gallagher |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Ben Mullen |
| Edited by | Joel Blacker |
| Music by | Joseph Bishara |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 104 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
Synopsis
Nettles and Applewhite develop a religion that would become known as Heavens Gate, a UFO cult that told followers they could transform into immortal extraterrestrials and ascend to heaven, and led to the mass suicide of 39 people in identical clothing coinciding with the Hale-Bopp comet passing Earth in 1997.[1]
Cast
- Tim Blake Nelson as Marshall Applewhite aka "Do"
- Vera Farmiga as Bonnie Nettles aka "Ti"
- Simon Rex as David
- Grace Caroline Currey as Michelle
- Jim Parsons
- Matthew Glave
- William Mapother as Reverend Applewhite, Marshall's father
- J.B Yowell
- Danielle Vasinova as Louise Applewhite, Marshall's mother
- Kelly Lynn Reiter as Lee
- Blake Robbins as Deputy Willis
- Jana Gallagher as Susan Chickles
- Paten Hughes as Karen
- Molly Robbins
- Jill Winternitz as Joy
Production
In February 2023 it was announced that Tim Blake Nelson, Vera Farmiga, and Simon Rex would star in The Leader, to be written and directed by Michael Gallagher.[2][3] In October 2023, Michael C Hall and Grace Caroline Currey joined the cast.[4] In July 2025, it was announced that Jim Parsons had replaced Hall with Matthew Glave, William Mapother, JB Yowell, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Danielle Vasinova, Blake Robbins, Jana Gallagher, Paten Hughes, Molly Robbins, and Jill Winternitz rounding out the cast.[5] Filming took place in Louisville, Kentucky from late June to mid July.[6][better source needed]
Release
The Leader is scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 5, 2026.[7]