Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still plenty of horror titles to look forward to in the coming months, including The Rental (starring Alison Brie and Dan Stevens), which has been acquired by IFC Films for U.S. distribution, with a release date planned for July 24th:
From the Press Release: NEW YORK, NY (APRIL 8, 2020) - IFC Films announced today that it is acquiring U.S. rights to THE RENTAL, Dave Franco’s chilling thriller co-written by Franco & Joe Swanberg. The film stars Alison Brie (Glow, Horse Girl, Promising Young Woman), Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Call of the Wild), Jeremy Allen White (Shameless) and Sheila Vand (A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Snowpiercer). THE RENTAL was produced and financed by Black Bear Pictures, with Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman, Swanberg and Christopher Storer serving as producers. Michael Heimler and Sean Durkin served as executive producers. The screenplay is based on a story by Franco & Swanberg & Mike Demski. IFC Films is set to release THE RENTAL on July 24th nationwide.
In THE RENTAL, two couples embark on a weekend getaway to a seemingly perfect house they’ve booked online. But what begins as a celebratory weekend for the four close friends turns into something far more sinister as secrets they’ve kept from each other are exposed and they realize they may not be alone.
THE RENTAL marks the directorial debut of Franco best known for his roles in the hit films such as Neighbors, 21 Jump Street ,Now You See Me, and their successful sequels, as well as in the critically acclaimed independent films The Little Hours, The Disaster Artist, and If Beale Street Could Talk.
Arianna Bocco EVP of Acquisitions and Productions at IFC Films said,“We’re beyond excited to partner with Dave on his directorial debut. He is a clear talent in front of and behind the camera and we are thrilled to bring this film to American audiences.”
Dave Franco added, "I’ve admired the IFC brand and their films for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t be more excited about partnering with them for my directorial debut. They have such a strong track record when it comes to elevated genre films, which makes them the perfect home for THE RENTAL."
The deal for the film was negotiated by IFC Films’ EVP of Acquisitions and Productions Arianna Bocco and Director of Acquisitions Aijah Keith with Endeavor Content on behalf of Black Bear Pictures and the filmmakers. STXinternational is handling international sales for the picture.
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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