Descendent, an L.A.-set thriller about an elementary school security guard unraveling after a close encounter, has been picked up by RLJE Films ahead of the feature’s debut at SXSW. The distributor is setting a theatrical release for North America later in 2025. Highland Film Groups has taken international rights.

“This film was a labor of love, and I could not be more thrilled to partner with RLJE Films to bring Descendent to SXSW and beyond,” said writer and director Peter Cilella. “It truly takes a village to bring a project like this to life, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”

The thriller, which marks Cilella’s feature directorial debut, stars The Walking Dead actor Ross Marquand and Sarah Bolger of Mayans M.C. The film follows Sean Bruner, a man racked by trauma as the birth of his first child approaches. Discovering a mysterious beam of light during a graveyard shift, Bruner reawakens with visions of extraterrestrials and a slippery sense of reality.

“We look forward to releasing Descendent alongside Peter Cilella, who delivers a gripping fusion of suspense and sci-fi, offering audiences a deeply personal story wrapped in cosmic fears that harkens to Fire in the Sky, said Mark Ward, chief acquisitions officer of RLJE Films, citing the 1993 cult favorite as a comparison point. “With its haunting atmosphere, the film taps into primal fears of parenthood, destiny, and forces beyond our control.”

“We are delighted to team up with our friends at RLJE Films on Descendent – they are the ideal partner to introduce Peter Cilella’s chilling and riveting science fiction thriller to audiences in the U.S., beginning with its anticipated debut at SXSW,” said Highland Film Group’s CEO Arianne Fraser and COO Delphine Perrier.

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the sci-fi filmmaking duo now directing episodes of Marvel’s Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again, are producers on Descendent, along with David Lawson Jr. and Caleb Ward. Executive producers are Arianne Fraser, Delphine Perrier, Henry Winterstern and Mark Ward. The deal was negotiated by Mark Ward and Brandon Harmer of RLJE Films with Highland Film Group.

Descendent will have its world premiere on Monday at SXSW.

By J. Kim Murphy, Variety