HanWay Films is set to unleash a unique vision of terror upon the Promenade de la Croisette, as Deadline reports their upcoming medieval zombie flick, Rapture, will be seeking distribution at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
The annual Cannes Film Festival runs from Tuesday, May 13, 2025 to Saturday, May 24, 2025.
This chilling tale blends historical setting with undead horror, boasting a compelling young cast led by Will Poulter (Warfare, Midsommar), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), and Manu Ríos (Elite). The trio will portray monks in the isolated Lansley Abbey, guardians of ancient secrets whose tranquil existence is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious stranger carrying a terrifying contagion.
Rapture marks the feature film debut of acclaimed playwright and director Jordan Tannahill, promising a fresh and potentially literary take on the zombie genre. Production is slated to commence later this year in Hungary.
Deadline's exclusive synopsis paints a grim picture: "Set in Medieval England in the year 1348, the story alights on Lansley Abbey, a remote stone monastery in Yorkshire, which houses ten monks bound by a life of strict routine and devotion. Their fragile peace is disrupted by the arrival of a messenger – a man with haunting news from the outside world who rapidly shows symptoms of a mystery illness. A virulent plague is spreading through the land: marked initially by a hemorrhagic fever, it turns its victims into “revenants” — restless, undead beings."
As the plague encroaches, the abbey transforms into a desperate battleground, besieged by both terrified outsiders seeking refuge and the horrifying infected. The monks find themselves torn by a profound moral conflict: compassion for the sick versus the preservation of their sacred knowledge.
The descent into widespread death unleashes both remarkable acts of selflessness and shocking betrayals, forcing the brothers to confront the fundamental question of humanity itself.
HanWay Films CEO Gabrielle Stewart is clearly enthusiastic about the project, stating, "We have all been blown away by the vision Jordan has for Rapture. It is rare to have such an atmospheric and terrifying zombie horror film that inhabits such an authentic historical world, with complex characters grappling with the biggest moral dilemmas."
"It is no wonder he has already attracted such great casting in Will, Kit and Manu with more to come, backed by top tier producers."
Rapture will see a reunion between Poulter and Connor, who recently shared the screen in Alex Garland's well-reviewed war film, Warfare, further adding to the horror pic's buzz.
With its compelling premise, talented cast, and unique blend of genres, Rapture is shaping up to be a hot title at the Cannes market, and we'll be keeping a close eye on which distributor snatches up this medieval nightmare.