Azrael: Samara Weaving action horror film secures September release date

Ten months have gone by since it was announced that Republic Pictures had acquired the North American distribution rights to the action horror film Azrael, for release through Paramount Global Distribution, in a high seven figure deal… and during that time, the distribution deal apparently fell apart, because Deadline reports that Azrael‘s North American distribution rights are now in the hands of IFC Films and the Shudder streaming service. IFC Films has already chosen a date for the theatrical release: September 27th. The movie will then be making its way to Shudder sometime later in the year.

Directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett, Azrael has the following synopsis: In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness – yet she will stop at nothing to ensure her own freedom and survival. From the seeds of this gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, comes an immersive, real-time, action horror tale.

Samara Weaving, whose previous credits include Ready or Not, Mayhem, The Babysitter, Guns Akimbo, Scream VI, and episodes of Ash vs. Evil Dead, plays the title character.

Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group partner Dave Caplan provided the financing for Azrael. Caplan and Barrett produced the film with Dan Kagan, while Cloth served as executive producer alongside Katrin Kissa.

Michael Rothstein and Sam Hall’s Mossbank are handling the international sales. Rothstein provided the following statement: “From the first minute we read it, we were captivated by the world of Azrael and the potential of a film so relentless and action-packed for its genre – distinguished by its own unique voice, which has so much to say. E.L. Katz and Simon Barrett have delivered something truly visionary, which will undoubtedly connect with a global legion of fans. And we couldn’t think of a more perfect heroine in Samara Weaving, who’s at the peak of her powers right now.“

Are you looking forward to Azrael, and are you glad to hear that IFC Films will be releasing it in September, with a Shudder release to follow? Let us know by leaving a comment below.