Cannes Unleashes ‘The Plague’: Horror Buffs Bring Cool Shit to the Festival!

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Under their partnership, Image Nation Abu Dhabi (Emirati studio) and Spooky Pictures (LA-based genre label) aim to produce high-quality, low-budget films using a simple, straightforward creative approach. This collaboration is now bringing one of their productions to the Cannes Film Festival for the first time.

Straightforwardly, Steven Schneider, producer and Spooky co-founder (known for films like Pet Sematary, Paranormal Activity, Insidious), communicates to THR: “Our creative directive is simply ‘cool stuff.’ We’re also always on the hunt for things that are fresh and will catch us off guard.” Roy Lee, fellow Spooky co-founder (It, The Ring, A Minecraft Movie) adds, “When we embark on a project, our goal is to create a movie that someone might consider their favorite film of the year or even of all time.

The pair joined forces with Ben Ross, the CEO of Image Nation, who turned out to be an accomplice in their scheme. This alliance united three “horror enthusiasts from history,” as Schneider put it, for their shared objective.

Ross reminisces that for over 15 years, Steven and he had often talked about this venture, as they’ve been acquainted for a considerable length of time,” he says. “So when they proposed starting something jointly, it was quite straightforward to jump on board because we share an affinity for genre films and enjoy the industry.

This year, for the very first time, the trio made up of undisclosed members attended the Cannes Film Festival, premiering a movie titled “The Plague,” which was part of the festival’s selection. This is director Charlie Polinger’s initial feature film, produced by Joel Edgerton under his production company Five Henrys Productions, along with Hellcat and The Space Program. The cast includes fresh talents like Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, and Kenny Rasmussen, as well as established actor Joel Edgerton, who also has a producer credit for the film.

At a water polo camp exclusively for boys, a shy 12-year-old finds himself caught up in a harsh tradition mockingly referred to as ‘The Plague,’ targeting a fellow camper with an illness. However, as the boundaries between play and truth become increasingly blurred, he begins to worry that this seemingly harmless prank might conceal something genuinely harmful.

Edgerton had already joined the project when the partners got on board. His role as a producer is similar to the dual roles David Dastmalchian held in the Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes-directed horror film, “Late Night With the Devil”, which was marketed as a documentary investigating an inexplicable event that happened during Halloween night of 1977 on a late-night talk show broadcast. This movie brought in IFC Films’ highest-grossing opening weekend earnings. Dastmalchian and the companies are now emulating this dual role in their newly released film, “The Shepherd”.

Schneider points out that taking on multiple roles in these films is quite beneficial. “It’s not like anyone’s becoming instantly wealthy with these productions,” he notes. “However, I believe our compensation for low-budget movies is more than reasonable. What we are striving to do is minimize the costs associated with above-the-line personnel as much as possible.

Ross adds: “We strive to make every actor feel like a genuine partner. They’re taking on roles for less than their usual pay, and everything that ends up on screen is accounted for in our film’s budget. We view the actors as partners, which means they have substantial ownership shares. In other words, we all succeed or fail together.

What other aspects does “The Plague” align with in their business strategy? To put it simply, their model focuses on projects that have a net budget of $5 million or less, carry a big concept, are effectively executed, and feature directors they have confidence in, whether they’re newcomers or seasoned professionals. The casting is not dependent on pre-existing stars in the usual manner.

The three veterans rely on their experience and intuition when choosing projects, often describing them as unique, innovative, engaging, and enjoyable. As Lee explains, if the first act of a script is predictable and the entire movie can be anticipated, it’s not the kind they are interested in producing. Instead, they prefer movies that take unexpected turns.

In terms of business operations, our stance is that the content we produce is intended for a worldwide audience. As Ross explains to THR, “We create content for global consumption, regardless of whether it’s in Arabic, a language used often in Image Nation projects, or English or Spanish, like one project we are currently developing.

As a dedicated fan, I wholeheartedly resonate with the collective belief that artistic, creative, and financial aspects need not clash. To put it simply, I firmly agree with Schneider’s stance: “Our films can strike a balance between being artistically captivating and commercially successful.” The key lies in ensuring they are both terrifying and eerie – a perfect blend of chills and entertainment.

As a devoted fan, I often wonder if there’s a specific quota or number of films that the partnership aims to produce annually, like three for instance. However, Lee clarifies that they don’t have a predefined target. Instead, they approach each project based on their passion and appreciation for it. In essence, when something catches our eye, we strive to bring it to life. This unique approach sets them apart from other studios, as they produce every movie they decide to develop.

One unique aspect of “The Plague” is that it marks the partnership’s initial production to be sold prior to its release, with this transaction beginning at the Cannes market. Here, United Talent Agency (UTA) and Cinetic will collaborate in selling the U.S. rights, while AGC International takes care of handling international distribution.

Chloe Okuno’s psychological thriller titled “Watcher” marked their debut as a team. Among their forthcoming projects are:

1. The supernatural horror movie “Hokum”, directed by Damian McCarthy (“Oddity”), featuring Adam Scott (“Severance”) in the lead roles, which is currently under post-production.
2. “Menace”, directed by Randall Okita and starring Isabel May (“1883”).
3. “Archangel”, a film written and directed by Bryan Edward Hill, with Conor Leslie (“Titans”, “Man in the High Castle”) and Greg Hovanessian (“Cardinal”) among its cast members. Additionally, Alyshia Ochse from “True Detective” is also part of this project.

Each of these films represents unique and exciting offerings within their respective genres, showcasing a diverse range of talented artists.

When it comes to the challenges faced by the Image Nation-Spooky team in the entertainment industry, Lee emphasizes that one of the most significant obstacles is locating exceptional projects. “The key hurdle,” he says, “is sifting through all the projects available and finding those that will truly stand out and be extraordinary.” This is difficult due to the vast amount of content in the marketplace and intense competition.

A commitment that could yield significant results is placing faith in the creatives and their ideas. As Ross puts it, “We strive to be entirely collaborative with our filmmakers.” This means demonstrating our belief in them by not imposing many restrictions. Instead, we’re all working towards a common goal together.

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2025-05-20 15:25