A24 and Picturestart are moving forward with their adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling tale,The Masque of the Red Death. While Sydney Sweeney was initially slated to star, scheduling conflicts led to her departure.Now, Oscar winner Mikey Madison, known for her roles in Anora and Scream, is in negotiations to take the lead.

A “Wildly Revisionist” Vision

Charlie Polinger, the creative mind behind Fuck Me, Richard, is set to write and direct this new iteration. The film promises to be a wildly revisionist and darkly comedic take on the short story. This fresh perspective aims to breathe new life into Poe’s classic narrative, potentially attracting a modern audience while honoring the source material’s dark essence.

Twin Sisters and Decadence: Plot Details Emerge

if Madison joins the cast, she will portray twin sisters caught in a web of plague, privilege, and peril. The narrative unfolds as a mad prince take[s] in the noble class into his castle while a plague devastates the peasantry. The story thickens with the arrival of a long-lost twin,hidden among the lower class, who infiltrates the castle,entering a decadent world of orgies,opium,power schemes,revenge and decapitations. This blend of horror, social commentary, and dark humor aligns with A24’s signature style.

An A24 Movie for the TikTok Generation

The project is described as a quintessential A24 movie, one that likely will include eye-brow raising, meme-able scenes that should resonate among the TikTok class. This suggests a film that not only embraces the source material but also aims to create a cultural moment through its unique visuals and themes.

The Legacy of “The Masque of the Red Death”

Poe’s original short story centers on a prince’s desperate attempt to evade the Red Death, a devastating plague, by isolating himself and his noble guests within his abbey. However, death, personified, inevitably finds its way inside. The tale has seen numerous adaptations, most notably as part of the Corman-Poe Cycle, with Roger Corman directing a version starring Vincent Price in 1964.

Madison’s Rising Star

Madison’s career is on the rise, with her also recently attached to Reptilia, a thriller described as telling the story of a dental hygienist who is seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.

Production Timeline

The Masque of the Red Death is anticipated to begin production either late this year or early next year. Further details are expected to emerge as the project develops.