Hot off the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Indiewire reports that Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster are “closing a huge deal” to acquire River.
Indiewire details, “River was originally backed by Independent Film Company and Shudder, but Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster may have convinced the companies to sell the distribution rights to the horror film for north of $10 million, sources say.”
The deal hasn’t been closed at this time, Indiewire notes. Stay tuned for updates.
Jane Levy (Evil Dead) and Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) star in River.
The upcoming River follows three estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after the death of their father. They set out to scatter his ashes at his favorite spot on a remote river, but when their boat breaks down, the trip devolves into a waking nightmare.
Stranded miles from help with no cell service, they soon realize they’re being stalked by a faceless killer who has emerged from the woods. To survive the night, the siblings must put their long-standing grudges aside and fight together against a ruthless, almost mythic terror.
Max Mattern (“Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy”) and Dane DiLiegro (Prey) also star in the slasher film, which marks the feature debut of writer-director Joshua Giuliano.
Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “River doesn’t break from convention but instead uses the slasher tropes in its favor to ramp up the tension at a brisk and steady clip. It’s lean and efficient, anchored by its tremendous cast and a unique setting that’s utilized to its fullest.”
