Another Sundance film has been picked up ahead of the festival as director Cate Shortland’s psychological thriller “Berlin Syndrome” has been acquired by Vertical Entertainment and Netflix, TheWrap has learned.
“Berlin Syndrome,” which stars Teresa Palmer and Max Riemelt, premieres next Friday night at the MARC Theater, in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section.
The deal for the acquisition was in the low- to mid-seven figures and Netflix will get all rights including streaming after Vertical mounts a theatrical release in early summer 2017, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
Palmer plays an Australian photographer who meets Andi (Max Riemelt), a charismatic man while holidaying in Berlin and discovers an instant attraction. A night of passion ensues.
But what initially appears to be the start of a romance takes an unexpected and sinister turn when she wakes the following morning to discover Andi has left for work and locked her in his apartment. An easy mistake to make, of course, except Andi has no intention of letting her go again. Ever.
“Berlin Syndrome” is produced by Aquarius Films, Entertainment One, Memento Films International, Screen Australia, Film Victoria, Fulcrum Media Finance, and DDP Studios.
The deal was brokered by UTA Independent Film Group and Vertical’s Rich Goldberg and Peter Jarowey.
It’s one of a spate of film acquisitions announced in advance of next week’s Sundance Film Festival.
Last week, Sony Pictures Classics paid an estimated $6 million for world rights deal to the Armie Hammer gay drama “Call Me By Your Name,” while A24 picked up director David Lowery’s “Ghost Story,” starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.