Just hours after his debut feature, River, premiered to acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, director Josh Giuliano has announced his next venture: another horror film titled Occupant. This new project sees him partnering with Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Divide/Conquer, and Spooky Pictures, with Focus Features securing worldwide distribution rights, and Universal Pictures International handling international release.
Details surrounding the plot of Occupant are currently being kept under wraps, adding an intriguing layer of mystery to the announcement. Jason Blum will produce for Blumhouse Atomic Monster, alongside Greg Gilreath and Adam Hendricks for Divide/Conquer, and Steven Schneider for Spooky Pictures. Daniel Bekerman, Derek Bishé, Neil Mathieson, Allie Steffler, Sam Zimmerman, and Jeremy Kulyk are on board as executive producers, with Closer Media also involved.
The genesis of this collaboration came through Sam Zimmerman, who oversees Blumhouse Atomic Monster's slate for emerging filmmakers. A longtime admirer of Giuliano's work, Zimmerman initiated the partnership by connecting the director with Divide/Conquer, who hold a first-look deal with Blumhouse Atomic Monster. This move aligns with Blumhouse Atomic Monster's successful strategy of nurturing digital native filmmakers, a path previously seen with Curry Barker's breakout hit Obsession, which Focus Features also distributed, grossing over $512 million worldwide.
Giuliano's recently premiered River captivated audiences in TIFF's Midnight Madness program. The film stars Jane Levy, Jessica Rothe, and Max Mattern as three estranged siblings who reunite after their father's death. Their plan to scatter his ashes at his favorite remote river spot takes a terrifying turn when their boat breaks down, plunging them into a waking nightmare. Dane DiLiegro also features in the cast.
An alumnus of the American Film Institute's directing program, Giuliano has already garnered accolades for his short films at prestigious genre festivals such as Fantasia, Fantastic Fest, and FrightFest, signaling his promising talent within the horror landscape.