Movies
Jeff Nichols’ Gothic Horror ‘King Snake’ with Margaret Qualley & Michael Shannon Enters Production
Writer-director Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter) has entered production on the Southern gothic supernatural horror film King Snake in Arkansas, Deadline has learned.
Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Drew Starkey (Hellraiser 2022) star as a young couple who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and must conquer the demons, both physical and metaphysical, that haunt its legacy.
Michael Shannon, who has appeared in all six of Nichols’ previous features, also stars.
Nichols and his Tri-State Pictures partners Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Sarah Green are producing in association with Range Media Partners. FilmNation is financing and handling worldwide sales.
“My films have embraced genre in the past, but I hope to push this approach further with King Snake to create something terrifying and beautiful,” said Nichols. “Making films is a privilege, and our team is working to create a piece of cinema worthy of FilmNation’s continued support.”
“Jeff’s startling new vision of supernatural forces is as extraordinary as it is enthralling, and we can’t wait for this incredible story to bewitch and captivate audiences around the world,” added FilmNation Chief Creative Officer Stacey Snider.
An eccentric poodle breeder is the villain in the upcoming horror movie Breeder, and Variety reports that Independent Film Company and Shudder have acquired the film.
Breeder is the feature debut of director Alex Goyette.
Variety details, “The film is about an eccentric poodle breeder who lures a broke college student to her remote ranch with a promise of research funding.
“As he soon learns, there’s a catch.”
Daniel Doheny, Dot Marie Jones, Maddie Phillips, and Tanaya Beatty star.
Expect to see the release of Breeder in Fall 2026.
Breeder will first premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this month.
“Independent Film Company and Shudder have always been a dream home for us,” Alex Goyette said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to partner with them to bring Breeder to audiences following its world premiere at Tribeca. As conversations around eugenics continue to resurface, our film confronts those ideas through the eyes of a deranged poodle breeder.”
“Breeder is the kind of movie that makes you lean forward and ask, ‘How did they get away with this?’” said Mark Ward of IFC Entertainment Group. “It’s provocative and constantly surprises you just when you think you’ve figured it out. We knew the moment we saw it that audiences will be talking about it long after they leave the theater, and we can’t wait to shock audiences on the big screen later this year.”