Entertainment Squad has acquired worldwide rights to The Unraveling from AZ if Productions, and will release the film on October 8 under its genre label, The Horror Collective
Directed by Kd Amond, The Unraveling is a follow-up to the acclaimed film FAYE, (which set a precedent as America’s first one-woman feature length horror film), and continues the creative collaboration of Amond and Sarah Zanotti as a filmmaking team. Zanotti is both the co-writer and lead actor in both films. The Unraveling offers a chilling and deeply emotional exploration of trauma, paranoia, guilt, and love, through the lens of horror. It follows a woman who, after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car accident, becomes convinced that her husband has been replaced by an impostor. Haunted by a gruesome presence and mysterious phone calls from someone claiming to be the “real” husband, she is thrust into a nightmare where she must navigate a labyrinth of fear, deception, and her own fragile sanity.
The Unraveling has already garnered critical acclaim for its atmospheric direction and gripping performances. Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies and Beyond praised it as “a dark, twisted story of a love that comes with a price,” while Preston Fassel of Fangoria and Daily Grindhouse called it “moving, thoughtful, and poetic…and terrifying.”
“A stunning, wonderfully surprising thriller,” says Tyler Baker of Morbidly Beautiful, “The Unraveling kept me guessing and fully on the hook until its jaw-dropping conclusion.”
The film stars Sarah Zanotti (FAYE) and Sam Brooks (Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy, CW’s Stargirl, Malum). The Unraveling showcases a powerful performance from Zanotti, whose portrayal of the lead character’s descent into madness is both haunting and compelling.
“The Unraveling combines psychological horror with a poignant narrative, creating a film that is both terrifying and deeply moving,” said Entertainment Squad’s CEO, Shaked Berenson. “We are thrilled to bring this extraordinary story to audiences worldwide.”
Director Kd Amond added, “With The Unraveling, we aimed to explore the dark and often overlooked aspects of trauma and its effects on the human psyche. There are spiritual undertones throughout the film as well, Sarah and I often incorporate these themes into our storytelling; it adds another layer of intrigue. Entertainment Squad’s dedication to unique and impactful storytelling truly makes them the perfect partner for this project.”
The Unraveling was produced by AZ if Productions, co-founded by Kd Amond and Sarah Zanotti. The film also features stunning cinematography by Seth Dunlap, who also portrays the ominous Shadow Figure.
“Zanotti is fantastic as the vulnerable lead. She plays the confusion and perceived threat to her well-being with absolute conviction,” noted Bobby LePire of Film Threat. “The Unraveling is an entertaining, though intense ride.”
“Amond and Zanotti have created an incredible psychological thriller,” says film blogger Jason T Sparks, “One that even seasoned filmgoers who know to look for misdirects and twists will find overwhelming in the best of ways.”
Actor and co-creator Sarah Zanotti approaches the film by asking, “What happens when the dream you’re chasing suddenly becomes a nightmare? When the man you love suddenly becomes your enemy? When you can no longer recognize what’s true because you’re so used to living a lie?” Zanotti explains, “The Unraveling is about a woman who is coming to terms with the horrifying consequences of denial.”
“Some of the most intense scenes of The Unraveling were shot with our small skeleton crew while we were all snowed in during a random Nashville blizzard on location in this historic house on a hill,” says director Kd Amond, “It made it all the more intense, as we were essentially, every bit as trapped as our protagonist!”
Entertainment Squad will be launching international sales for The Unraveling at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. Sebastian Twardosz from Savant Artists negotiated the deal on behalf of AZ if Productions.
Entertainment Squad is a boutique distribution company founded by industry veteran Shaked Berenson. Previous releases include Tribeca’s Audience Award Winner dramedy, Cherry, and SXSW Selection, Peak Season.
