Vertical picks up Adam Scott thriller The Saviors for North America
Kevin Hamedani’s SXSW comedic thriller, led by Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler, is set for a March 2027 theatrical release.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Vertical has bought North American rights to Kevin Hamedani’s comedic thriller The Saviors after its SXSW premiere, Deadline reported. The distributor plans to release the film in theaters on March 26, 2027.
The movie stars Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler as Sean and Kim, a suburban married couple trying to split up. According to Deadline, the pair need cash to repair and sell their home so they can start separate lives, so they rent out their guest house.
The tenants are a quiet Middle Eastern brother and sister played by Theo Rossi and Nazanin Boniadi. The setup turns tense as odd events pile up in the neighborhood ahead of a presidential visit to town.
Deadline reported that the couple notice mysterious lights, missing animals and glimpses of technology they cannot explain. Their guests’ conduct begins to look suspicious, and possibly dangerous, as Sean and Kim start investigating the new arrivals. Along the way, the estranged spouses reconnect with feelings they once had for each other.
The ensemble also includes Kate Berlant, Daveed Diggs, Ron Perlman, Colleen Camp and Greg Kinnear, according to Deadline.
The Saviors is Hamedani’s third feature, following Junk and ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction. He co-wrote the screenplay with Travis Betz.
Hamedani said in a statement reported by Deadline that bringing the film to theaters with Vertical was “a dream,” calling the project “deeply personal.” He praised the distributor’s slate and its approach to distinctive films.
Vertical partner Peter Jarowey said the company was pleased to take the film to theaters next year. In Deadline’s report, Jarowey described the script by Hamedani and Betz as timely and said it mixes humor with suspense, led by performances from Scott and Deadwyler and an ensemble cast.
The acquisition was handled by Jarowey and Vertical senior vice president of acquisitions Tony Piantedosi for the distributor, Deadline reported. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group negotiated for the filmmakers.
Highway 10 financed the film. Producers include Matt Smith and Dan Gedman for Highway 10, Nicholas Weinstock and Divya D’Souza for Invention Studios, Naomi Scott and Adam Scott for Great Scott, and Bradley Gallo and Michael Helfant for Amasia. Deadline reported that Deadwyler, Alyssa Roehrenbeck and Josh Sathre serve as executive producers.
The crew includes cinematographer Jon Keng, editors Ben Baudhuin and Tom McArdle, costume designer Allison Calhoun and production designer Ying-Te Julie Chen. Casting was by Orly Sitowitz, with music by Nick Shadel and Kyle O’Quin, according to Deadline.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.