Emilia Clarke and Victoria Pedretti will star in the horror project 'When Darkness Loves Us'

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones, Ponies) will star in a new underground horror project, When Darkness Loves Usnext to Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House, Forbidden Fruits), con Bleecker Street acquiring global rights in most markets to release it in theaters next year, according to Deadline reports.

The main cast also includes Marlon Williams (Sweet Tooth), y Natascha McElhone (The Truman Show, The Crown).

Based on Elizabeth Engstrom's 1980s novel of the same name, the film tells the story of a young woman (Clarke) who, after surviving 15 years trapped in an underground cave system, returns to the surface to claim the family she believes belongs to her, no matter the monstrous price she has to pay.

James Ashcroft He is the director, and co-writer with Hayley Sproull y Eli Kent. Production recently wrapped in New Zealand. The plan is to premiere in theaters in 2027.

Bleecker supported the project from the beginning; Its overall deal covers all rights except those in Australia and New Zealand, where it will be distributed by Umbrella Entertainment and Aotearoa New Zealand, respectively.

The producers are Desray Armstrong, with Ant Timpson executive producing alongside Ashcroft, Clarke, Katherine Bridle, Kent Sanderson, Tyler DiNapoli, Ari Harrison and Jasmin McSweeney.

The project was funded by the New Zealand Film Commission, Images & Sound, and New Zealand Screen Production Rebate.

Black Bear's Sanderson stated:

“The term 'world-building' is overused, but the degree to which James and his team have constructed an underground universe is undeniable. This film is a true journey into darkness, literally and figuratively, and we can't wait to impact audiences around the world with James' singular vision.”

Ashcroft joined in saying:

“My passion for Elizabeth Engstrom's story remains intact; it has been a true gift to bring this work to the screen. With When Darkness Loves UsLiz never lets us forget that her characters' actions are, at times, tragic and monstrous, no matter how understandable they may be. But it is their indelible humanity that cannot be easily forgotten, and that is when we feel at home in the darkness with them.”