Here is the first trailer for Jeremy Saulnier's "Slayground," which, as we mentioned a few weeks ago, is now confirmed for a January 29, 2027 release.
Written and directed by Saulnier, the A24 thriller centers on Michael (Smith), who's found drenched in blood at the scene of a mass-casualty event at a haunted attraction on October 24th. He’s the prime suspect, but escapes police custody and goes on the run to clear his name as investigators race to uncover what really happened that night.
Based on what had been described to me, this is "The Fugitive," filtered through the raw style of the guy who made "Green Room," which, notably, was Saulnier's last foray into horror.
A quick refresher. Back in September, I reported that Saulnier's long-gestating project, formerly titled "October," had been renamed "Slayground." The new title has no relation to the Donald E. Westlake novel or the 1983 movie. It comes from the haunted attraction where the lead character, played by Cory Michael Smith, works. The original title was the better one, frankly, but A24 wasn't willing to hold the release for that month, so Saulnier was asked to change it. January it is, then.
What else do we know? The film screened internally with a 2.5-hour runtime, and it's said to be Saulnier's most ambitious work to date. I’ve heard great things about this film — maybe Saulnier’s best work — which is why that January release surprises me.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the score. Smith leads a cast that includes Chase Sui Wonders, Sophie Wilde, Stephen Root, Imogen Poots, Matty Matheson and Young Mazino, with Macon Blair in a small part.
A24 landed this latest project a little over a year ago after a heated bidding war that included Netflix. Given that January 29 release date, don't be surprised if it world premieres at Sundance, which kicks off its first Boulder edition on January 21, just a week before the film hits theaters.
Regardless, a new film from Saulnier is music to my ears. His 2014 breakout “Blue Ruin” remains one of the great modern indie thrillers, while 2016’s “Green Room” — a brutal neo-Nazi siege film — felt like an experimental horror movie dressed in punk-rock clothing. I even enjoyed parts of “Hold the Dark,” which is often considered his weakest effort. It should also be mentioned that he’s coming off the immense streaming success of “Rebel Ridge,” which, unfortunately, skipped theaters and debuted on Netflix.
Saulnier is, of course, the filmmaker behind "Blue Ruin," "Green Room" and "Rebel Ridge." A24 landed this latest project a little over a year ago after a heated bidding war that included Netflix.