Midori Francis Shines in New Horror Film by Apartment 7A Director
Midori Francis Takes Center Stage in the Chilling Horror Film “Saccharine”, the latest spine-tingling project from acclaimed director Natalie Erika James, known for her remarkable work in Relic and Apartment 7A.
Natalie Erika James, the talented writer and director who made her impressive feature debut with the psychological horror drama Relic, is back with a new venture. Following her work on the prequel to Rosemary’s Baby, titled Apartment 7A, she is now utilizing her unique storytelling style in her latest project, Saccharine. Reports from Deadline have confirmed that filming is currently in progress, with Midori Francis, known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and The Sex Lives of College Girls, taking on the lead role that promises to captivate audiences.
Produced by the dynamic duo Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw, Saccharine is a collaborative effort between Carver Films and Thrum Films. The production benefits from significant investment from Screen Australia, XYZ in partnership with IPR.VC, and Stan, alongside support from VicScreen. Co-producer Ben Morgan also plays a pivotal role in bringing this project to life. As confirmed by Deadline, the film is set for a theatrical release in both Australia and New Zealand under the distribution of Maslow Entertainment, and it will premiere as a Stan Original Film on the Stan platform.
In her compelling role as Hana, Francis portrays a lovelorn medical student who finds herself haunted by a ghostly presence after engaging in an unusual weight-loss practice involving the consumption of human ashes. This intriguing premise not only offers a unique blend of horror but also serves as a commentary on society’s obsession with body image and weight loss.
We were first introduced to this fascinating project a few months back when James shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter. She stated, “I’m doing another psychological horror, and this one’s called Saccharine. It’s about a woman who eats human ash to lose weight, and she becomes haunted by the ghost of the person she’s eating. So it has a bit of an absurd bent to it, but I’m very excited and we’re shooting here in Melbourne.” It has been confirmed that filming is taking place at the renowned Docklands Studios in Melbourne, along with various scenic locations throughout the city.
Joining Francis in the cast are Danielle Macdonald, known for her role in Patti Cake$, portraying Hana’s best friend Josie, and Madeleine Madden from The Wheel of Time, who plays Alanya, a personal trainer and fitness influencer. This diverse cast promises to bring depth and authenticity to the intriguing narrative.
James emphasized the film’s themes by stating, “There is so much toxic messaging around weight and appearance that permeates every corner of our culture. Saccharine is an intimate look into one woman’s struggle with body image, self-worth, and shame-driven compulsion, told through a supernatural body-horror with a queer lens and an edge of the absurd.” The producers echoed this sentiment, expressing their excitement about working with James again, stating, “Saccharine explodes off the page with Natalie’s bold vision. To team with her again is such a sweet pleasure for us. We can’t wait to see Midori, Danielle and Madeleine bring these incredible women to life.“
Are you intrigued by the unique premise of Saccharine? We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions on this fascinating project by leaving a comment below.
