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Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster will release “River” in theaters across the country on Friday, January 15, 2027. It will face off against Jason Statham’s “The Beekeeper 2” and “Children of Blood and Bone,” an adaptation of a hit YA novel.
“River,” which follows three estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after the death of their father to scatter his ashes only to find themselves stalked by a killer, was a breakout hit at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was produced by Independent Film Company and Shudder, and was scheduled to be released on the genre label’s streaming service. It was Shudder’s first original production. Those plans changed, however, as Blumhouse and Universal swept in after its premiere and signed a deal for more than $10 million for the rights to the film.
Though the pact stunned observers, it made strategic sense. “River’s” writer and director Joshua Giuliano was already in business with the companies. Shortly before the film debuted, Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal’s indie label, Focus Features, announced that they were making “Occupant,” the next film from Giuliano. But to get the rights to his first feature, Universal and Blumhouse had to beat out other competitors, including Sony Pictures and Netflix.
“To see our first Shudder Original Production launch at Toronto with this kind of response — from audiences, critics, and the marketplace — is enormously gratifying,” Scott Shooman, head of IFC
Entertainment Group, said in a statement. “Across Shudder and IFC, we have always focused on identifying projects and working with established and next-generation creative visionaries and Josh is exactly the kind of filmmaker we bet on. ‘River’ is a film that showcases our unmatched credibility in the genre, the strength of our creative relationships and ability to elevate bold and distinctive films that break through.”
“River” stars Jane Levy (“Evil Dead”), Jessica Rothe (“Happy Death Day”), Max Mattern (“Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy”), and Dane DiLiegro (“Prey”). Currently, the film has a 94% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Blumhouse has been on a hot streak this year, releasing hits like “Backrooms” and “Obsession” from Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, two filmmakers in their 20s who represent a new generation of creative talent.
English (US) ·