Bret Easton Ellis, the subversive American author known for his controversial novels, is set to make his directorial debut with a horror film titled “Relapse.” The film, which Ellis also wrote, will star Joseph Quinn, best known for his breakout role in the hit series “Stranger Things.” Paris-based SND has come on board as the producer, along with Nostromo and Kiss & Kill. SND will handle worldwide sales and French distribution for the film.
In “Relapse,” Quinn will play the character of Matt Cullen, who seeks rehabilitation after witnessing a horrifying death at a drug-fueled party. After three months in rehab, Matt returns to his parents’ mansion in the hills of Los Angeles, hoping to rebuild his life. However, he soon realizes that something is amiss and feels a growing sense of paranoia. As he falls back into drug use, a mysterious presence begins to haunt him, and a monster from his past resurfaces. His therapist believes that the monster exists only in Matt’s mind.
Ellis, whose novels have been adapted into successful films such as “American Psycho” and “The Rules of Attraction,” has been involved in the movie industry for years. His latest book, “The Shards,” has been optioned by HBO for a mini-series. Ellis expressed his excitement about making his directorial debut with a horror film, stating that it was a genre he grew up watching and that it felt like the perfect form for his first feature. He described “Relapse” as a personal movie that would incorporate his signature themes of sex, drugs, and paranoia while also being a fun and commercial film.
SND’s head of international sales, Ramy Nahas, praised the combination of the horror genre’s aesthetics with Ellis’ unique perspective. He described “Relapse” as a mix of Bret Easton Ellis’ trademark themes within a monster feature film. Simon Wallon, one of the producers, highlighted Ellis’ unique voice and vision as a writer and expressed his excitement about collaborating with him on this project.
The film’s producer, Nicolas Rolland, promised that “Relapse” would have a strong visual presence, comparing it to films like “The Thing,” “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Host,” and “Alien.” The creature in the film will be designed by the Oscar-nominated VFX studio DDT Studios, known for their work on “Society of the Snow.” Adrian Guerra, another producer on the project, has a track record of producing edgy genre films, including “Buried” and “Bird Box Barcelona.”
Joseph Quinn, who will be playing the lead role in “Relapse,” is represented by CAA and Curtis Brown Group. Bret Easton Ellis is represented by CAA and Brian Young.
“Relapse” promises to be a thrilling horror film that combines Ellis’ unique storytelling style with the chilling elements of the genre. With a talented cast and experienced producers on board, the film is set to captivate audiences and leave them on the edge of their seats. As Bret Easton Ellis ventures into the world of directing, fans eagerly await the release of “Relapse” to see how his literary vision translates onto the big screen.