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“Doctor Caligari’s Cabinet of Wonders,” the upcoming contemporary reimagining of iconic horror classic “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” widely considered to be the first true horror movie, has bolstered its lead cast.
Joining Michael Shannon in the film — which was first announced by Variety earlier this year and is being sold by Anton — is Talia Ryder, best known for her breakout performance in Eliza Hittman’s critically acclaimed film “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” for Focus Features.
Written and directed by John Erick Dowdle and having recently wrapped in Germany, “Doctor Caligari’s Cabinet of Wonders,” described as a “terrifying and mind-bending psychological horror,” stars Shannon as the titular villain, Doctor Caligari, a traveling mesmerist who journeys from town to town with a sleepwalker under his control, leaving a trail of grisly murders in their wake. When a young woman’s boyfriend disappears mysteriously, she believes that the enigmatic Doctor Caligari is somehow responsible. The problem is — nobody believes her.
Ryder — who landed Indie Spirit and Critics’ Choice nominations for “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” — will play Jane, an intuitive young woman whose ability to perceive what others can’t has left her an outcast. Haunted by her sister’s murder and her parents’ betrayal, she discovers her greatest burden may be her greatest strength.
The pic is produced by Drew Dowdle for Brothers Dowdle Productions, while Sébastien Raybaud (“Victorian Psycho,” “Greenland 2,” “The Night House”) and Brandt Wrightsman (“Greenland 2”) produce for Anton, alongside Stuart Manashil (“His House,” “Pieces of a Woman,” “Malcom & Marie”) and Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo for augenschein. The film was supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW as well as the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF).
Anton is fully financing as well as handling worldwide rights at the inaugural TIFF market. CAA Media Finance will co-rep North American rights with Anton.
Ryder is currently shooting Prime Video’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” season 2 opposite Mark Eydelshteyn. She most recently appeared in Ethan Coen’s “Honey Don’t” opposite Margaret Qualley for Focus Features and will next be seen in Frankie Shaw’s “4 Kids Walk Into A Bank” opposite Liam Neeson for Picturestart and Rob Burnett’s “In Memoriam” opposite Marc Maron, Lily Gladstone, and Sharon Stone. “In Memorium” will premiere this year at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Ryder is repped by UTA, LBI Entertainment, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP. Shannon is represented by CAA and Range Media Partners, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman.
