Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“Only Murders in the Building”) and Demián Bichir (Black Phone 2) will star in Hold the Devil for director Álex de la Iglesia (The Day of the Beast, “30 Coins“), Variety reports.
Written by Joe Barton (The Ritual), the film is described as “blending gritty, grounded action with supernatural horror” in an “explosive fusion of haunted-house terror and home-invasion intensity.”
It sees police officer Sara Myall (Randolph) and security guard Henry Campos (Bichir) arrive at an abandoned show home on the Texas border to investigate a break in, only to discover a wounded mother and her 10-year-old son Gio taking shelter after crossing the Mexican border.
When the murderous cartel leader Marcus arrives and demands Gio is handed over to him, it is clear that Gio is no ordinary child. He harbors a dark, supernatural power that Marcus wants for himself. Trapped inside the house as more gang members arrive and threaten violence, Sara and Campos must choose between giving the boy up or fighting for their lives.
Two & Two Pictures’ Lucan Toh & Bryan Sonderman, Pokeepsie Films’ Carolina Bang, and Fifth Season produce. The Nun director Corin Hardy executive produces alongside Protagonist Pictures’ Dave Bishop, James Pugh, & George Hamilton.
“What drew me to this project was the opportunity to blend action and horror in a way that feels both cinematic and deeply human,” said Iglesia. “I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Demián Bichir and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, two actors of extraordinary presence and emotional intelligence. In this film, two demons coexist under one roof, and you never know which will strike first.”
“Alex is a filmmaker with a proven track record of making bold impactful movies, and with Hold the Devil he is taking it to the next level, delivering elevated genre storytelling with a broad commercial appeal,” added Bishop. “Starring Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Academy Award nominee Demián Bichir, Hold the Devil is a muscular, high-concept action-thriller.”
Protagonist Pictures will launch international sales at this month’s Cannes film market. CAA Media Finance is representing domestic rights.
