Sony Wins Bidding War for Supernatural Horror Film 'Mime' Starring John David Washington
Sony's Screen Gems label has acquired the supernatural horror project 'Mime' after reportedly beating out competing bids from Amazon and Searchlight Pictures, according to Deadline. John David Washington is attached to star, and Scott Derrickson, known for his work in the horror genre, is on board as a producer. Plot details are being kept under wraps for now, but the film is said to be set in a New York City apartment complex during a heat wave blackout, which sets up what sounds like a claustrophobic, pressure-cooker environment for whatever supernatural elements the story involves. No director has been publicly named in the available source material, and no further story details have been released at this time. The project is early enough that most specifics remain undisclosed, but the combination of Washington's profile, Derrickson's genre credentials, and a high-concept NYC setting was apparently enough to spark a competitive acquisition fight among major studios and streamers.
Jason's TakeA supernatural horror story set in a blacked-out New York apartment building during a heat wave sounds like a genuinely unsettling setup. Tight spaces, no power, and neighbors you don't really know — that's real psychological pressure before you even add anything paranormal to the mix. I'm curious what the 'Mime' title actually refers to in the story, because right now that detail is doing a lot of work. I'll keep an eye on this one as more comes out.