Sofia Takal's Psychosexual Thriller 'Act One' Acquired by Oscilloscope Labs (Exclusive)

Oscilloscope Labs has acquired U.S. rights to the psychosexual thriller Act One from writer-director Sofia Takal (“Always Shine,” “Black Christmas”) and will release it in theaters in 2027. Ella Beatty, the seven-year-old star of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, will play the lead actress, a seven-year-old Hannah. Aspiring actress "Act One" while Hana to […]

Oscilloscope Labs has acquired U.S. rights to the psychosexual thriller The First Cut from writer-director Sofia Takal (“Always Shine,” “Black Christmas”) and will release it in theaters in 2027.

"Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" star Ella Beatty will play the lead role of Hannah, a seventeen-year-old actress. "Act One" follows Hannah as she joins an elite acting studio led by its magnetic founder, Melanie (Arie Greenor). The press release reads: “Henna is putting herself to work given Melanie's extreme intensity and methods. But as dedication turns to obsession and the lines between performance, desire and manipulation blur, he's drawn into a dangerous game that tests how far he's willing to go to become the artist he wants to be." RELATED STORIES Qatar domestic feature productions to bow at upcoming Doha Film Festival 'Watershed moment' 'The Other Mum' Verity Nipps ends picture for UK, Ireland box office summit

The film stars Sinclair Daniels ("Insidious: The Red Door"), Tavi Guinson ("Gossip Girl"), Elizabeth Reaser ("Twilight") and Robert Sean Leonard ("Home"). Popular in Variety

"I'm very excited that Oscilloscope is releasing 'Act One,'" said Takal. "Working with them again after 'Always Shining' is like a homecoming." It's heartening to know that there are people out there with the guts and good sense to champion films like ours. I can't wait for audiences to see the incredible work of all the talented people who made this film!”

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 10. Principle One is produced by Takal, Alison Rose Carter (Savage Rose Films), Julie Christies (Tandem Pictures), John Reid (Savage Rose Films), Stephanie Roche (Foxglove Films) and Julie Waters (Watermark Media). Executive producers include Watermark Media's Evan Dial, Visit Films' Ryan Camp, Lawrence Michael Levine, Alison and John Stockel and Marilyn White.