RLJE Films has announced the acquisition of the highly anticipated survival thriller Arcadian ahead of its world premiere at SXSW. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell (IT, Knives Out), Maxwell Jenkins (Lost In Space), and Sadie Soverall (Saltburn). The film is written by Michael Nilon and directed by Ben Brewer, who was lead visual effects artist for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
RLJE Films has picked up the rights for North America, the UK, Ireland, and Australia and will release the film in theaters on April 12, 2024. It will be followed by a debut on Shudder and AMC+ later this year. Highland Film Group is representing international rights to the film.
Arcadian takes place in the near future, where normal life on Earth has been decimated. Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, have been living a half-life – tranquility by day and torment by night. Every night, after the sun sets, they face the unrelenting attacks of a mysterious and violent evil. One day, when Thomas doesn’t return home before sundown, Paul must leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him. A nightmarish battle ensues that forces the family to execute a desperate plan to survive.
Director Ben Brewer commented, “I’m so glad that Arcadian has found a home with RLJE Films and that they will be bringing the film to theaters for audiences to enjoy, which is a singular thrill for filmmakers. I was so moved by the work everyone did on this movie, and I’m ecstatic that RLJE Films is honoring it in this special way.”
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“Arcadian is an instant knockout,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer of RLJE Films. “Michael Nilon’s script deftly balances between the riveting thrills of a creature feature and the hopeful heart at the core of Paul’s family, played to perfection by Cage, Martel, and Jenkins.”
“Ben Brewer masterfully helms this thrilling, action-packed feature, so we are particularly excited to have our friends at RLJE Films come on board to release Arcadian. They are the ideal partner to introduce this out-of-the-box suspenseful creature thriller to audiences, beginning with its debut at SXSW,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.
The film is produced by Redline Entertainment’s David M Wulf, p.g.a, Highland Film Group’s Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier, Cage’s Saturn Films and Michael Nilon, and Braxton Pope, p.g.a. The deal was negotiated by Mark Ward on behalf of RLJE Films and Arianne Fraser on behalf of Highland Film Group.
