Cornerstone Secures International Sales Rights for 'When Darkness Loves Us' Starring Emilia Clarke
Cornerstone has secured the international sales rights for the upcoming horror film "When Darkness Loves Us" by James Ashcroft. The movie, excluding New Zealand and Australia, will be handled for sales and distribution by Cornerstone on behalf of Bleecker Street. The film is set to debut at the Cannes Film Market. Starring Emilia Clarke, Marlon Williams, Victoria Pedretti, and Natascha McElhone, the film recently completed filming in New Zealand. Bleecker Street plans to release the film in the U.S. in 2027.
Adapted from Elizabeth Engstrom's cult novella from the 1980s, "When Darkness Loves Us" is a visually striking and psychologically intense horror tale. The plot revolves around a young woman (played by Clarke) who emerges from 15 years of captivity in an underground cave system to reclaim her family, regardless of the monstrous consequences. James Ashcroft co-wrote the screenplay with Hayley Sproull and Eli Kent. The film is produced by Desray Armstrong, with Ant Timpson, Emilia Clarke, and others serving as executive producers.
Funded by the New Zealand Film Commission, Images & Sound, and the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate, the project received financial support from Hinterland and Natixis Coficiné. Umbrella Entertainment will handle distribution in Australia and New Zealand. Cornerstone's Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder expressed excitement about collaborating with Bleecker on this project, praising Ashcroft's innovative approach and the stellar cast led by Emilia Clarke. They believe the film will strongly resonate with global audiences.