A24 Acquires Horror Film ‘Victorian Psycho’ with Margaret Qualley and Thomasin McKenzie from ‘Sanctuary’ Director

Horror fans should be drooling over this one. A24 has picked up the U.S. rights to “Victorian Psycho,” a horror-thriller film that will star “The Substance” actress Margaret Qualley and “Leave No Trace” actress Thomasin McKenzie, an individual with knowledge told IndieWire.

“Victorian Psycho” is a reunion between Qualley and “Sanctuary” director Zachary Wigon, who is directing the film based on an upcoming novel by author Virginia Feito (“Mrs. March”). Feito also wrote the script based on her book.

The horror pedigree doesn’t stop there, as “Longlegs” producer Dan Kagan is producing the film, as is “The Night House” producer Sebastien Raybaud. Wigon will also produce in association with Anonymous Content. Nick Shumaker and Bard Dorros will executive produce.

“Victorian Psycho” is, naturally, set in Victorian England and follows an eccentric governess who arrives at a remote gothic manor where strange happenings stir suspicion that she’s not what she seems.

According to Deadline, which first reported the news, the project was initially shopped at AFM and had several distributors interested. The film hopes to shoot in March 2025.

Qualley is having a big year thanks to “The Substance” but also “Drive-Away Dolls” and “Kinds of Kindness,” and it’s about to get bigger. She’ll next be seen in “Happy Gilmore 2,” in Ethan Coen’s next film “Honey Don’t!,” in Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon,” and in John Patton Ford’s “Huntington” with Glen Powell. Qualley is represented by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern, LLP.

McKenzie most recently starred in this year’s “Joy” and is currently shooting the Bleecker Street comedy “Fackham Hall.” She’s represented by UTA, Untitled Entertainment, and Gail Cowan Management.

Wigon is represented by UTA, Anonymous Content, and Marc Chamlin at Loeb&Loeb LLP. Kagan is represented by UTA.

The deal was negotiated by Anton, UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers. Anton is fully financing the film and is representing international rights.