Sydney Sweeney Joins Surprising New Horror Movie From A24

Actress Sydney Sweeney will lead the cast in the upcoming movie “The Masque of the Red Death,” produced by A24. As per Deadline, the film is a reimagined and humorous adaptation penned and directed by Charlie Polinger, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s short story about Prince Prospero trying to evade the Red Death plague by organizing an elaborate ball in his abbey. The production schedule for the movie has not been fixed yet, but it is expected to start this year with no specific date announced so far. Currently, there’s no set release date for “The Masque of the Red Death.

Throughout her acting journey, Sweeney has featured in numerous horror films, with the standout role being that of a nun who uncovers the eerie secrets of an Italian convent in last year’s movie titled “Immaculate“. The upcoming productions on her calendar include reprising her role for Season 3 of “Euphoria“, scheduled to commence production this month. She also takes the lead in Edgar Wright’s adaptation of “Barbarella“.

Over the years, Edgar Allan Poe’s short story has been transformed into various forms, such as films, plays, and comics. Among these adaptations, a 1964 movie directed by Roger Corman, starring Vincent Price as Prospero, is particularly renowned. Even today, Poe’s literature continues to inspire modern artists; Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher includes several homages to the author’s works.

It appears that A24 could be the perfect fit for this adaptation of “The Masque of the Red Death“. With critically acclaimed horror films like “The Lighthouse“, “Midsommar“, and “Heredity” (to name a few), A24 has proven itself as a haven for creative horror productions that captivate film enthusiasts. It seems that “Masque of the Red Death” could be another valuable addition to their growing collection. Given the description, it may offer a satirical take on societal class structures, skillfully blending horror elements with thought-provoking commentary. It will be exciting to witness how this film reinterprets Edgar Allan Poe’s original work, which is a gothic horror classic.

Just like A24 is giving a chance to a rising director with the movie trailer for Opus, they are also taking a similar risk with The Masque of the Red Death. After directing multiple short films, Polinger is now steering his first full-length feature, The Plague, currently in post-production. This film stars Joel Edgerton and follows the story of a young outcast navigating the ruthless social hierarchy within a water polo camp. Thematically, The Plague shares some similarities with The Masque of the Red Death, as both explore themes of class disparity between “haves” and “have nots.” Here’s hoping that The Masque of the Red Death turns out to be an engaging and thrilling adaptation, helping Polinger establish himself as a notable horror director.

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2025-01-22 00:41