Mali Elfman, who has had producing credits on projects like Fun Size Horror, Before I Wake, and Scare Package, has made her feature directorial debut on the supernatural road movie Next Exit – and Variety reports that Magnolia Pictures has just acquired the North American distribution rights to the film. They’re planning to give a theatrical release through their genre arm Magnet Releasing sometime in November.
Next Exit has my attention due to the interesting cast Elfman assembled for it. The film’s stars are Katie Parker (The Haunting of Hill House), Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass), Rose McIver (iZombie), and Karen Gillan (Avengers: Endgame). Scripted by Elfman, it tells the story of
a research scientist (Gillan) who makes national news proving she can track people into the afterlife – Rose (Parker) sees a way out and Teddy (Kohli) sees his chance to finally make it. These two strangers, both harboring dark secrets, race to join the doctor’s controversial study and leave this life behind. While Rose is haunted by a ghostly presence that she can’t outrun, Teddy is forced to confront his past. As these two misfits humorously quarrel their way across the country, they meet people along the way who force them to reckon with what is really driving them.
Tongayi Chrisa (Another Life), Tim Griffin (Central Intelligence), Diva Zappa (Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror), and Nico Evers-Swindell (On My Block) are also in the cast.
Magnolia Pictures President Eamonn Bowles described Next Exit as “an original, stylish, and thoughtful film”. Elfman had this to say about the distribution deal:
My brain is spinning knowing that this decade-long dream (nightmare?) is finally going to be seen. This film is so many things at once, and I could not have achieved that without the brilliant performances by Katie Parker and Rahul Kohli. I’m so grateful to Magnolia for releasing this film and to Helmstreet Productions for believing in this funny, introspective, dark ghost story.”
How does Next Exit sound to you? Does this seem like a movie you would like to watch? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.