Mike Flanagan is backing Rot, a new psychological thriller and body horror film that will mark the feature directorial debut of Alexandra Magistro, a longtime executive at Mike Flanagan’s Red Room Pictures. The film has also lined up Cooper Koch, Amber Midthunder and Matthew Lillard for its leading roles.
Based on Geo Bradley’s 2024 Black List script, Rot is set to explore grief, obsession and psychological deterioration through a story that gradually turns a trauma cleaner’s work into something far more disturbing.
What Is Rot About?
The film centers on an antisocial man struggling with obsessive-compulsive behavior following the death of his hoarder mother.
Looking for a way to confront the past, he takes a job as a trauma cleaner. What initially appears to be a practical attempt to rebuild his life instead becomes a source of increasing psychological pressure, as the disturbing nature of his work begins to affect his perception and mental state.
Bradley has described the script as “Repulsion” by way of Cronenberg, pointing toward a combination of psychological horror and unsettling body horror rather than a conventional supernatural story.
The production has not yet revealed an official full synopsis, keeping further details of the film under wraps.
Who Stars in Rot?
Cooper Koch, Amber Midthunder and Matthew Lillard are attached to star in Rot.
Koch received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his portrayal of Erik Menendez in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Midthunder, meanwhile, is best known for starring in Prey and has also appeared in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Novocaine.
Lillard, whose recent credits include Daredevil: Born Again, Scream 7 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, is also part of Flanagan’s upcoming Carrie adaptation.
The three actors’ connection to Flanagan’s current projects makes Rot another notable addition to the filmmaker’s expanding horror circle.
How Is Mike Flanagan Involved With Rot?
Mike Flanagan is producing the film through Red Room Pictures, alongside Molly C. Quinn, Matthew M. Welty and Elan Gale of QWGmire, and Drew Brandon Jones.
Magistro has worked with Flanagan for approximately eight years and currently serves as VP of Creative at his company. Her previous work with the filmmaker includes executive producing The Exorcist: Martyrs and working as a writer and producer on the upcoming Amazon adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie.
Rot therefore represents a move behind the camera for Magistro after years of producing and development work alongside Flanagan.
When Will Rot Be Released?
Rot is scheduled to begin production in November in Vancouver. No release date, distributor or platform has been announced yet.
The project joins an increasingly busy slate for Mike Flanagan and Red Room Pictures, which also includes adaptations of Stephen King’s The Mist and the video game Warhammer.
