Bleecker Street has locked down U.S. rights to Buzzkill, a new horror-comedy starring Billy Magnussen (Lilo & Stitch) and Lulu Wilson (The Wrath of Becky) that shoots in Texas early next year. They’ve slated the film for release in theaters nationwide in 2027.
Directed by Joe Lynch (Everly, Mayhem), Buzzkill is billed as a monster movie with a boozy twist. Magnussen plays Sheriff Red, who while recently widowed and struggling with drinking too much, launches an investigation as townspeople begin turning up murdered and dismembered. He soon discovers that a horrifying creature is stalking the town — and can only be seen by the inebriated. With the annual brewery festival approaching and the entire town preparing for a weekend of heavy drinking, Red must confront his demons to save his town.
Written by Colin McLaughlin, the film has Wilson playing Red’s vengeful younger sister, Lydia. Dane and Cole Eckerle are producing under their Bad Grey banner, alongside Jonathan Schwartz and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content, and Magnussen for HappyBad Bungalow. David Levine is executive producing alongside Bleecker Street’s Kent Sanderson, Tyler DiNapoli, and Miranda King, with Anne Hollister and Shane Andries acting as co-executive producers. The Veterans is handling international sales for the film. We were first to report on the castings of Magnussen and Wilson.
In a statement on the Buzzkill acquisition, Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson said, “Bleecker’s mandate is, above all else, to bring genres of all kinds to theatergoers, and Buzzkill aims to make the theater into the ultimate, thrilling and blood-soaked party. Joe brings such a distinct voice to his work, and we’re excited to be partnering with him and the whole cast.”
Bleecker Street’s King and Avy Eschenasy negotiated the deal for the company, with Anonymous Content’s Shumaker and UTA Independent Film Group negotiating on behalf of the filmmakers.
