When it comes to the horror genre acclaim can be fickle for directors. Even though names like John Carpenter and George A. Romero have made names for themselves as masters of horror there are plenty more that work tirelessly without such accolades. A perfect example of this is Darren Lynn Bousman. Making a name for himself directing Saw II, III and IV he has gone on to become one of the most unique voices in horror today. More than just blood and guts he has been behind everything from dark musicals like Repo! A Genetic Opera and The Devil’s Carnival to more traditional fare such as Mother’s Day and Tales of Halloween. As 2017 comes to a close it looks like he will continue to push his own boundaries with his next film, St. Agatha.

Currently in post-production St. Agatha takes place in 1950’s Georgia con woman Agatha learns that she is pregnant. Forced into hiding she thinks she is safe when she joins an isolated convent. But the longer she lives there the quicker she learns the dark secrets boiling under the surface of this house of God. Recently acquired by Octane Entertainment at AFM 2017 this female-driver terror looks to be one of the most interesting horror films of 2018.

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 1, 2017) – Octane Entertainment acquires worldwide sales rights to the highly anticipated, female-driven psychological horror film ST. AGATHA.  Shot in Madison, Ga. and currently in post-production, the film was written by Andy Demetrio (Star Trek: Into Darkness), Shaun Fletcher (The Road Trip), Sara Sometti Michaels (The Photographer) and Clint Sears (Tales of Halloween). Under the helm of prolific horror director Darren Lynn Bousman, the director behind three installments of the Saw franchise, ST. AGATHA stars Sabrina Kern (The Tension Experience), Carolyn Hennesy (HBO’s “True Blood”), Courtney Halverson (Unfriended) Trin Miller (Captain Fantastic) and Seth Michaels (Pelé: Birth of a Legend).

Octane Entertainment President Jack Campbell made the announcement today.

“We’re very excited to introduce Darren’s latest masterpiece to buyers at the American Film Market this week,” said Campbell.  “This is exactly the type of project our clients have been looking for – a female-driven, elevated genre film with pedigree that is well-crafted throughout. We’ve seen huge successes in this arena lately, most recently with Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.”  From the writing to the acting to the directing and execution – ST. AGATHA is a cut above anything that I’ve seen in a long time.”

“I have always been attracted to the dark, sinister, and macabre,” said Bousman.  “But, as I find myself getting older and now being a dad, blood and guts no longer amuse me.  I need something more.  I look for content, character and themes.  ST. AGATHA spoke to me as it takes a look at the unflinching horrors that befell women in the 1950’s and how that parallels to the not so different horrors that are befalling them today.  It was amazing to work with such a strong female cast, and I look forward to pulling back the curtain and letting others glimpse into our sinister world.”

AGATHA is set in the 1950s in small town Georgia, where a pregnant con woman named Agatha is on the run and seeks refuge in a convent hidden in deafening isolation. What first starts out as the perfect place to have a child turns into a dark layer where silence is forced, ghastly secrets are masked, and every bit of will power Agatha has is tested. She soon learns the sick and twisted truth of the convent and the odd people that lurk inside its halls. Agatha must now find a way to discover the unyielding strength needed to escape and save her baby before she’s caged behind these walls forever.

 AGATHA was produced by Sara Sometti Michaels, Srdjan Stakic (The Operative) and Tara Ansley (Tragedy Girls) and was executive produced by Kevin Traier, Rick Le and Seth Michaels.