STAN REVEALS FIRST LOOK AT NATALIE ERIKA JAMES’ PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR SACCHARINE

Midori Francis stars alongside Australian actors Danielle Macdonald and Madeleine Madden.

February 18 2024 – Filmed in Melbourne, Stan today released the first look at Midori Francis (Grey's Anatomy, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Daytime Emmy Award nominee for Dash & Lily) in the Stan Original Film Saccharine. Australian actors Danielle Macdonald (The Tourist, Patti Cake$, Dumplin’) and Madeleine Madden (The Wheel of Time, Strife, Tidelands) join Francis in the psychological horror.

Having quickly established herself as a distinctive new voice in cinema, writer and director Natalie Erika James embarks on her third feature with Saccharine, following Apartment 7A and the breakout horror hit Stan Original, Relic. 

Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: “An exciting addition to our slate of Stan Original Films, and a brand new production guaranteed to entertain our horror fans. Natalie Erika James is a proven powerhouse director in this genre and we’ve loved working with her and the team at Carver Films and Thrum Films. Alongside such talented creatives, Saccharine’s incredible lead cast – Midori, Danielle and Madeleine – guarantees a distinctive Australian feature that will resonate with global audiences.”

Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said: “Saccharine is a compelling and timely film from the singular Natalie Erika James, who continues to push boundaries in the horror genre. With her distinct vision and strong creative partnership with Carver Films, this film promises to be visually stunning and is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences. Saccharine presents a wonderful opportunity for audiences to experience the film in cinemas first and then embrace it on Stan. We’re thrilled to support this standout project and can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “Natalie Erika James is one of Victoria’s most distinctive talents, and VicScreen is thrilled to support the production of her third feature film Saccharine - a nail-biting female-led spin on the horror genre. Victoria has a strong track record of producing world class genre films and Saccharine has the right ingredients be our next success.”

Natalie Erika James again partners with Carver Films’ Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw (producers of Run Rabbit Run, Relic, Snowtown). Saccharine follows Hana (Francis), a lovelorn medical student who becomes terrorised by a hungry ghost after taking part in an obscure weight-loss craze: eating human ashes. 

The Stan Original Film Saccharine is a Carver Films and Thrum Films Production. Major production investment from Screen Australia, XYZ Films in conjunction with IPR.VC, and produced with the assistance of VicScreen, in association with The Post Lounge. Written, directed and produced by Natalie Erika James. Produced by Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw. Co-produced by Ben Morgan. Stan Executive Producers are Cailah Scobie and Alicia Brown, with XYZ Films also Executive Producing. 

Saccharine will be distributed theatrically in Australia and New Zealand by Maslow Entertainment. XYZ Films is handling world sales.

The Stan Original Film Saccharine has completed production.

For more information, contact Stan Publicity: stan.publicity@stan.com.au

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