Josh Giuliano’s TIFF Slasher ‘River’ Selling to Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster for North of $10 Million

By Pat Saperstein

Pat Saperstein

Deputy Editor

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In the first major deal of the Toronto Film Festival, Joshua Giuliano’s slasher film “River” is in talks to be acquired by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Variety has confirmed. Giuliano’s film was originally backed by Independent Film Company and Shudder, but the companies are now closing a deal to sell distribution rights to the debut feature for north of $10 million after its TIFF world premiere.

The slasher is written and directed by Giuliano and stars Jane Levy (“Evil Dead”), Jessica Rothe (“Happy Death Day”) and Max Mattern (“Devil in Disguise: John Wayne”) as estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after their father’s death. According to the official synopsis, when they set out to scatter his ashes at a favorite spot on a remote river, their boat breaks down and the trip devolves into a waking nightmare. Dane DiLiegro (“Prey”) also stars.

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