Nicole Kidman is making a notable Nicole Kidman horror return by teaming up with director Osgood Perkins for his upcoming film, The Young People. This collaboration brings together the Oscar-winning actress, known for her chilling roles in The Others (2001) and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), with a director fresh off acclaimed horror titles such as Longlegs and The Monkey. The film is highly anticipated among horror fans eager for the eerie signature Perkins style.
Ensemble Cast Features Rising and Established Talent
Alongside Kidman, the cast of The Young People includes Lola Tung from The Summer I Turned Pretty and Nico Parker from The Last of Us, both taking leading roles. Neon also announced that Tatiana Maslany will collaborate with Perkins once again, marking their third project together following Stephen King adaptation The Monkey and the upcoming indie film Keeper. Additional cast members are Brendan Hines, Cush Jumbo, Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville, Lexi Minetree, and Lily Collias, bringing a diverse mix of talent to the ensemble.
Plot Details Remain Tight-Lipped to Maintain Suspense
Perkins is known for withholding detailed plot information to protect the theatrical experience, and The Young People is no exception. The film’s promotional materials reveal little beyond a tagline describing it as
“a bad trip by Osgood Perkins”
and a first-look photo featuring Tung leaning over what appears to be a blood-filled bathtub. This secrecy follows his approach of keeping key elements, such as Nicolas Cage’s transformation in Longlegs, hidden from marketing campaigns to preserve mystery and tension.
Background on Nicole Kidman’s Horror Roles
Nicole Kidman’s previous horror roles add significant depth to her involvement in Perkins’ new film. In The Others, she portrayed a mother haunted by supernatural events alongside her photosensitive children in a 1945 New Jersey home. Later, in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, she played a woman whose family unravels when a patient of her husband disrupts their lives. These intense portrayals highlight her capability for suspenseful and unsettling narratives in the genre.
Upcoming Releases and Collaborations Under Neon Deal
The Young People represents Perkins’ first film under a first-look deal with Neon, the studio that has distributed many of his recent works. The deal has also brought together Perkins and Maslany for the upcoming indie thriller Keeper, which focuses on a couple’s anniversary trip to a remote cabin in the woods that turns terrifying when the woman faces unknown horrors alone. Keeper is scheduled for release on November 14.
Anticipation and Potential Impact of The Young People
The combination of Nicole Kidman’s Nicole Kidman horror return and Osgood Perkins’ distinct directorial vision amplifies anticipation for The Young People within the horror community. Given Perkins’ careful control over narrative revelations and the impressive cast, the film is poised to deliver a tense and unsettling experience. As the only concrete clues so far are cryptic, the project underscores Perkins’ intent to create immersive and unpredictable horror films, setting the stage for critical and audience intrigue upon release.
“a bad trip by Osgood Perkins”
