‘Every House Is Haunted’ scares up a huge 20th Century deal
20th Century Studios has acquired the horror project “Every House Is Haunted” from Netflix, with “Don’t Move” filmmakers Adam Schindler and Brian Netto set to direct, according to Deadline.
Netflix originally bought the genre script from writers Jason Pagan and Andrew Deutschman in 2021. The story is based on “The House on Ashley Avenue,” from Ian Rogers’ short story collection “Every House Is Haunted.” Deadline reported the deal exclusively.
The project also carries a heavyweight horror name. Sam Raimi is producing with Zainab Azizi of Raimi Productions, alongside Roy Lee and Andrew Childs of Vertigo Entertainment, according to Bloody Disgusting and Deadline. Rogers and Starlight Media, which first optioned the story, are executive producers. Raimi and Azizi also produced “Don’t Move.”
What “Every House Is Haunted” is about
“Every House Is Haunted” follows an insurance investigator who sets out to debunk a couple’s claim that their deaths were caused by a haunted house. His skepticism gets tested by a psychic and by strange occurrences he can’t explain, according to Deadline.
Schindler and Netto will direct and also do their own pass on the Pagan and Deutschman script. The pair take over the project from Corin Hardy, who had been attached to direct when Netflix first announced it.
What it means for fans
The move gives “Every House Is Haunted” a new home after five years in development at Netflix, and it pairs the project with directors coming off a genuine streaming hit. Schindler and Netto’s 2024 Netflix thriller “Don’t Move,” starring Kelsey Asbille and Finn Wittrock, topped Netflix’s global film chart in each of its first two weeks, Deadline reported.
Schindler and Netto had already been attached to the project since January, months before the sale. The studio hasn’t said whether the film will go to theaters or streaming.
J.R. Young, the studio’s senior vice president of production, is overseeing the film for 20th Century and reports to studio president Steve Asbell, Deadline reported.
Context: Schindler and Netto’s busy slate
The directing duo isn’t short on work. Schindler and Netto are currently finishing post-production on “Nightwatching,” a survival thriller starring Mila Kunis and Corey Hawkins and produced by Ridley Scott. Scott Free, Fifth Season, Picturestart and Brick For Sheep are behind that film, with Amazon MGM Studios handling international distribution, according to Deadline.
“Don’t Move,” the duo’s breakout Netflix hit, was written by T.J. Cimfel and David White. In it, Asbille’s character, still reeling from a loss, has been drugged by a killer and races to get away before she loses the ability to move at all.
What’s next for “Every House Is Haunted”
No release date, casting or production start has been announced for “Every House Is Haunted,” and 20th Century hasn’t said when cameras will roll. For more on the genre, check out our movies coverage.
Reporting from Deadline contributed to this story.