Production for Hyena is slated to kick off in Spokane, Washington, in the first quarter of 2027, bringing a fresh wave of talent to the fore. Kiernan Shipka, known for her roles in Industry and Longlegs, will star as Genevieve, while Emmy nominee D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai of Reservation Dogs fame takes on the character of Alexei. This casting update sees them replace Archie Madekwe and Havana Rose Liu, who were previously announced for the leads.

The ensemble cast is further bolstered by César Award winner Edgar Ramírez, recently seen in Emilia Pérez and Borderlands, and Independent Spirit Award nominee Rosemarie DeWitt, whose recent credits include Smile 2 and Untamed.

Hyena is a significant project as it marks one of the final executive producer credits for the revered David Lynch, who passed away in January 2025. Lynch’s involvement stems from a long-standing mentorship with director Scott Coffey, who also appeared in Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. According to the report, Lynch was deeply involved in the early development stages of the thriller.

Scott Coffey directs Hyena from a screenplay he co-wrote with novelist Blair Mastbaum. Coffey's previous directorial work includes Ellie Parker and Adult World. Speaking about the film, Coffey shared, “*Hyena* is a very personal film. I’ve always believed the most unsettling horror isn’t supernatural — it’s the moment grief and love turn feral, when we stop pretending we aren’t wild.” He expressed high praise for his new cast, adding, “Kiernan Shipka, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Edgar Ramírez, and Rosemarie DeWitt will bring extraordinary depth, intelligence, and vulnerability to the movie.”

The plot centers on Genevieve, who introduces her enigmatic new boyfriend, Alexei, to her seemingly perfect family. However, Alexei's presence soon begins to unravel the family's facade, exposing deep-seated secrets, desires, and hypocrisies. As the family dynamic fractures, Genevieve finds herself the only one willing to confront the truth, facing an unspeakable sacrifice to save what remains of her loved ones.

Oscar-nominated producer David Lancaster (Whiplash, Nightcrawler) is producing alongside Jeff Elliott (Canary Black). WME Independent has also joined Upgrade on sales efforts, with the project slated to be introduced to buyers at the upcoming AFM.