RLJE Films and Shudder announced today the acquisition of North American rights to Offseason, which world-premiered to positive reviews at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, with WTFilms taking international sales rights. Written and Directed by Mickey Keating (Darling, Carnage Park, Psychopaths) and starring Jocelin Donahue (The House of the Devil) and Joe Swanberg (You’re Next, The Sacrament), this American Gothic horror follows a woman (Jocelin Donahue) who travels to a desolate island town after receiving a mysterious letter and soon becomes trapped in a nightmare.
RLJE plans to release Offseason in theaters early next year. Shudder, which has also acquired UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand rights, will premiere the film on its platform later in 2022. The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto of Shudder, Mark Ward of RLJE Films and Gregory Chambet on behalf of WTFilms with CAA’s Nick Ogiony on behalf of Defiant’s Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida. The film was produced by Maurice Fadida and Eric B. Fleischman through their label Defiant Studios and financed by Kodiak Pictures.
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Mickey Keating’s work includes Darling, Carnage Park, and Psychopaths, and was host of the Shudder Original Series The Core. Offseason was his third film to premiere at the SXSW Film Festival, and his third collaboration with producer Eric B. Fleischman. Keating stated, “Working with RLJE and Shudder to release Offseason is an absolute dream. Over the years they have become an unparalleled force releasing some of the most innovative, original and exciting genre films in the world. I couldn’t be more excited to now be a part of that and can’t wait to terrify audiences everywhere.”
“With Offseason, Keating has crafted an eerie, chilling nightmare that will haunt viewers with its uncanny terror and bone-deep sense of dread, anchored by a mesmerizing lead performance from Donahue,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager.
Defiant Studios Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida added, “We’re very excited to be re-teaming with RLJE and starting our relationship with Shudder on this acquisition. They have built the premiere home for horror and we’re honored to be joining the family!”
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“Offseason is a perfect storm of eerie visuals, unsettling sound and outstanding performances,” says Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer at RLJE Films. “We know the insane tension of this film will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.”
Added WT Films Co-Founder Gregory Chambet, “We have been fans of Mickey and following his career evolution closely since the start of the company and his first film. He is one of the most gifted director of his generation and Offseason is his most accomplished title yet, with a great central performance by Jocelin Donahue and haunting visuals that makes for a unique and frightening experience.”
CAA Media Finance brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
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