October 1, 2026 12:13pm

River, the IFC title that Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster acquired out of TIFF’s Midnight Madness section for $10 million, is getting a January 15, 2027 theatrical release.

Universal already had this MLK weekend date on hold for a Blumhouse title. Also opening on this date so far is Paramount’s Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Children of Blood and Bone, Amazon MGM Studios/Miramax’s The Beekeeper 2 and Angel Studios’ Fing!

River stands at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics. Pic stars Jane Levy (Evil Dead), Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) and Max Mattern (Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy). Written and directed by Joshua Giuliano, it follows three estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after the death of their father. As they set out to scatter his ashes at his favorite spot on a remote river, the trip devolves into a waking nightmare. Dane DiLiegro (Prey) also stars.

Some circled River at TIFF, specifically Sony. Blumhouse Atomic Monster was passionate to get its hands on the project as their genre indie exec Sam Zimmerman worked with Giuiano on River during his time at Shudder. Also, Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Divide/Conquer and Spooky Pictures signed Giuliano’s next movie Occupant.

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