Jermaine Fowler, Justin Long and RJ Cyler, lead cast; theatrical release set for 2026
Also starring Freddie Gibbs, CM Punk, YG, Flying Lotus, Dermot Mulroney, and more
RLJE Films and Shudder announced today that they have acquired the North American rights to the horror thriller NIGHT PATROL via XYZ Films, the sophomore feature from director Ryan Prows (LOWLIFE), ahead of its world premiere at the 2025 Fantastic Fest film festival. The film is co-written by Prows and Shaye Ogbonna (“The Penguin”), Tim Cairo (OFF RAMP) and Jake Gibson (HE BLED NEON), and stars Jermaine Fowler (THE BLACKENING), Justin Long (BARBARIAN), RJ Cyler (THE HARDER THEY FALL), Freddie Gibbs (DOWN WITH THE KING), CM Punk (GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR), YG (WHITE BOY RICK), Flying Lotus (ASH), Dermot Mulroney (SCREAM IV), Jon Oswald (LOWLIFE) and Nicki Micheaux (“The Shield”). RLJE Films and Shudder will release NIGHT PATROL in theaters in 2026.
In NIGHT PATROL, an LAPD officer must put aside his differences with the area’s street gangs when he discovers a local police task force is harboring a horrific secret that endangers the residents of the housing projects he grew up in.
“I am thrilled that we’re partnering with RLJE and Shudder to bring NIGHT PATROL to theaters — it’s been a long road to get here, and we couldn’t have asked for a better team to help push this fun, rollercoaster of a film out into the world,” said Director Ryan Prows. “ I’m beyond excited we get to blast our wild film far and wide to a hungry, unsuspecting audience.”
“NIGHT PATROL is an audacious, high-stakes horror-thriller with a powerhouse ensemble cast and heart-pounding tension,” said Chief Acquisitions Officer of RLJE Films Mark Ward commented. “Blending community grit, suspense and unflinching intensity led by Ryan Prows, this acquisition marks a dream-realized moment for us going into its world premiere.”
NIGHT PATROL is produced by David S. Goyer and Keith Levine for Phantom Four, James Harris for Tea Shop Films, and Josh Goldbloom with XYZ Films handling global sales. The film is executive produced by XYZ Films and Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor and Grady Craig for Bondit, and Mark Lane for Tea Shop Films. Additional executive producers include YG, Narineh Hacopian, and Phantom Four’s Gracie Wheelan and David Tracy. The deal was negotiated by Mark Ward and Brandon Harmer for RLJE Films and Shudder with XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
About RLJE Films
RLJE Films is a distribution company whose releases include the Nicolas Cage phenomenon MANDY from Panos Cosmatos, S. Craig Zahler’s BONE TOMAHAWK starring Kurt Russell, and Eli Craig’s CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD. Recent films include Benjamin Brewer’s creature feature ARCADIAN, CHILDREN OF THE CORN, a chilling re-telling for a whole new generation from director Kurt Wimmer, Claudio Fäh’s high-concept shark thriller NO WAY UP, and John Stalberg Jr.’s MUZZLE.
About Shudder
Shudder is the leading curatorial voice and cultural destination for genre entertainment, delivering an unparalleled selection of horror, thrillers, and the supernatural. With an ever-expanding library of films, TV series, and exclusive Originals, Shudder is accessible across most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Shudder releases approximately thirty films per year, and has redefined genre streaming with a slate of groundbreaking and critically acclaimed titles, including Rob Savage’s HOST, Jayro Bustamante’s Golden Globe-nominated LA LLORONA, Phil Tippett’s MAD GOD, Coralie Fargeat’s REVENGE, Kyle Edward Ball’s SKINAMARINK, Christian Tafdrup’s SPEAK NO EVIL, Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER, Demián Rugna’s WHEN EVIL LURKS, and the latest installments in the V/H/S franchise. Shudder also boasts fan-favorite series such as the two-time Emmy Award-nominated THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA, Mark Duplass’ THE CREEP TAPES, Greg Nicotero’s CREEPSHOW, and THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS. Notable recent releases include Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Damian McCarthy’s ODDITY, and Emilie Blichfeldt’s THE UGLY STEPSISTER.
About XYZ Films:
XYZ Films is an independent studio whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. As a producer, financier, and distributor, the company is uniquely suited to identify talented filmmakers and bring their stories to life. XYZ recently expanded into talent management, working with a global roster of filmmakers. XYZ was founded in 2008 by Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian.
Recent titles from XYZ Films include action thriller The Furious from producer Bill Kong, which will world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month; Something Beautiful, the new visual album from Miley Cyrus, which world premiered at Tribeca; In Cold Light starring Maika Monroe and Troy Kotsur, which also premiered at Tribeca and was acquired by Saban Entertainment; Banquet, starring Meghann Fahy and directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia; The Edge of Normal starring Chloë Grace-Moretz and Rupert Friend and directed by Carlota Pereda; the SXSW standout thriller Hallow Road, directed by Babak Anvari and starring Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys; Over Your Dead Body starring Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Juliette Lewis and Timothy Olyphant, which will be released by Independent Film company later this year; Havoc, directed by Gareth Evans and starring Tom Hardy and Forrest Whitaker which premiered on Netflix this spring; and true-story exorcism thriller The Ritual starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens which releases wide this summer.
