Lionsgate is set to co-produce “The Devil’s Light,” a supernatural thriller with Gold Circle, and will launch the film to buyers at AFM.
The film is about a 25-year-old nun named Sister Ann performing exorcisms and warding off demons while also combating a sexist church that believes only priests should be allowed to perform exorcisms. Here’s the full synopsis:
With reports of demonic possessions reaching unprecedented numbers globally, the Vatican opens schools for exorcisms in six countries including the United States. “The Devil’s Light” tells the story of Sister Ann, a restless 25 year old, who devoutly believes that performing exorcisms is her calling. But she is at odds with the institution’s traditions: sisters are not allowed to perform exorcisms, only priests. With the support of a mentor, a professor who senses her special gift, she is allowed to observe actual training sessions. Her desire to prove herself takes a personal turn when she meets one of the school’s most disturbed patients. During their harrowing encounters, Sister Ann comes face to face with a demonic force that infests the school and has mysterious ties to her own past. It is then that the power of evil and her own startling abilities are fully realized.
James Hawes of “Black Mirror” and “Penny Dreadful” is directing the film from a script by Robert Zappia. Paul Brooks, Jessica Malanaphy, Todd Jones and Earl Richey Jones are producing, and Scott Niemeyer, David Brooks and Brad Kessell are executive producing. Meredith Wieck and Eda Kowan will oversee the production on behalf of Lionsgate. Production is expected to begin in the first half of 2020.
Lionsgate president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine negotiated the deal for the studio to acquire the rights along with Eda Kowan, executive vice president of acquisitions and co-productions.
Lionsgate and Gold Circle are co-producing “The Devil’s Light” and will distribute it in North America, the U.K. and Latin America, and Lionsgate International is handling international sales at the upcoming American Film Market.