Neon has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the indie horror film King Snake. The film is directed by Jeff Nichols and stars Margaret Qualley, Michael Shannon, and Drew Starkey. Here are the full details of the project.
Neon to back rural supernatural drama set in Arkansas
The film is a Southern Gothic supernatural horror centered on a young couple inheriting a rural Arkansas farm, where they are confronted by both real and supernatural forces tied to its past. The project is backed by FilmNation Entertainment and Tri-State Pictures, with Nichols—known for films such as Loving and Mud—serving as both writer and director.
“‘King Snake’ follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey) who inherit an Arkansas farm where they face real-world problems and supernatural forces, battling physical and metaphysical demons while confronting the property’s dark legacy,” the official plot of the movie reads.
King Snake features Margaret Qualley, known for her performances in The Substance and Maid, alongside Michael Shannon, the Oscar-nominated Revolutionary Road star who has previously collaborated with Nichols on Take Shelter and Midnight Special. The cast also includes Drew Starkey, who recently gained attention for his role in Queer. Nichols’ frequent collaborations with Shannon across multiple films point to a trusted creative pairing that could elevate the project.
Filming is currently in the production stage, with principal photography underway in Arkansas. The project is actively being shot on location, meaning it has moved beyond development and pre-production into full-scale production. Moreover, Neon—the studio backing the film—has a reputation for festival hits, with Oscar-winning titles such as Parasite and Anora in its repertoire. As a result, audiences can likely expect an elevated horror experience rather than a run-of-the-mill mainstream jump-scare.
Furthermore, the acquisition has taken place during production rather than after completion, signaling strong early confidence in the project and suggesting it could make rounds on the festival circuit.
The film is being produced by Jeff Nichols alongside his Tri-State Pictures partners Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Sarah Green, with Range Media Partners also involved. Meanwhile, Stacey Snider and Glen Basner of FilmNation Entertainment are serving as executive producers.
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