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Untitled Guy Nattiv film

Upcoming film by Guy Nattiv From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Guy Nattiv has directed an upcoming mystery drama film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Noa Berman-Herzberg. The inspiration for the film was based on real events from Nattiv's own grandmother and her involvement with a sinister cult. It stars Carrie Coon, Bella Ramsey, Odessa Young, and Lily James.

Directed byGuy Nattiv
Screenplay by
  • Guy Nattiv
  • Noa Berman-Herzberg
Quick facts Directed by, Screenplay by ...
Untitled Guy Nattiv film
Directed byGuy Nattiv
Screenplay by
  • Guy Nattiv
  • Noa Berman-Herzberg
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTudor Vladimir Panduru
Production
companies
Distributed byBleecker Street (United States)
Release date
  • January 8, 2027 (2027-01-08) (United States)
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • New Zealand
LanguageEnglish
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The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in the United States on January 8, 2027, by Bleecker Street and with a planned limited release on November 2026.

Premise

The story is set in the 1980s.[1] Inspired by a series of actual real events, the film is based on the experiences of director Guy Nattiv's own grandmother and her involvement in a cult.[2] It follows Rita Cooper as she renounces her family to join the Harmonia commune, entranced by its leader. Rita's daughters, Ella and Jo, attempt to convince her to return home but find themselves drawn to the commune.[3]

Cast

Production

Development

Nattiv aims to shed light on the coercive power of cults through this film, a project he describes as his "most personal film." He expressed his emotional connection to the narrative, referring to it as a story that has haunted his family since childhood.[4] He mentioned that he's "been waiting decades until I was emotionally ready to confront my beloved grandmother's story, which has haunted my family since I was a child. As a woman in the 1980s going through a midlife crisis, my grandmother made the radical choice to leave my family and embed herself in an all-female cult, in an obsessive pursuit of happiness and meaning."[5][6]

Jaime Ray Newman, Nattiv's wife, will co-produce the film through their production company, New Native Film. Joining them as producers are Julia Lebedev and Eric Viasman from Sight Unseen,[7] and Oren Moverman. The screenplay was co-written by Nattiv and Noa Berman-Hertzberg, who also partnered with him on the 2010 film Mabul. This project continues Nattiv's collaboration with Bleecker Street, following their previous work together on 2023's Golda.[8][9][10]

Casting

Naomi Watts was originally cast as Rita, but was later recast with Carrie Coon.[3] Vicky Krieps was originally cast as the Leader, but was later recast with Lily James.[3] Nattiv said the actors "each bring a deep, intuitive grace to these layered characters, and their commitment to tell my story is tremendously moving."[9] He added that "I couldn't ask for more soulful collaborators than Carrie, Lily, Bella, and Odessa."[10]

Filming

Principal photography began in British Columbia on July 14, 2025, and concluded on August 20, 2025.[10][11][12] The film included sets in various locations in the area including Great Central Lake and McLean Mill National Historic Site. McLean Mill Manager Elliot Drew says this is the third production to feature the mill within the past year and the movie crew consists of more than 100 people, contributing more than $500,000 into the local economy.[13]

Release

The film is expected to premiere during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, in late 2026.[14][15] In July 2026, Bleecker Street scheduled the now untitled film for a wide theatrical release in the United States on January 8, 2027 with a limited release in November.[16]

References

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