Jeremy Saulnier’s Next Film Retitled to ‘Slayground,’ Current Runtime is 2.5 Hours, Plot Details

Jeremy Saulnier’s mysterious A24 project, formerly “October,” still has no release date. What gives? You’d think, given that it has been in post-production for almost a year now, that it would be released sometime in 2026.

A24 has been keeping quiet about the film, but I hear it was recently screened internally, with a runtime of 2.5 hours, and the title has now changed to “Slayground.” This is apparently Saulnier’s most ambitious film to date, and given what I’ve heard, it makes sense now why it might be taking more time in the edit than we thought.

“Slayground” takes its title from the haunted attraction where the lead character works. The film was previously titled “October” — a stronger choice — but A24 was unwilling to hold the release until next October, so Saulnier was asked to change it.

What do we know about “Slayground”? Only that Cory Michael Smith will star in the lead role. Chase Sui Wonders, Sophie Wilde, Stephen Root, Imogen Poots, Matty Matheson, and Young Mazino. Macon Blair also has a small part. It has been described as a “fugitive thriller set around Halloween.” Saulnier wrote the screenplay and is directing. A24 financed and produced the project. A 2027 release date is being eyed for the film, and I would imagine a festival premiere is in the works — Sundance? Cannes?

However, I can confirm that the plot follows Smith’s character, the primary suspect in a mass murder investigation, after he escapes police custody. He goes on the run, attempting to prove his innocence while becoming the target of a massive manhunt.

Saulnier’s film has been described as a tense, hard-hitting chase thriller with echoes of “The Fugitive,” while still carrying the rough, uncompromising style that defines his work. The script reportedly delivers the same kind of violent, rebellious energy that made “Green Room” such a gripping experience.

A new Saulnier film 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.