Chappaquiddick and The Painted Veil helmer John Curran’s new psychological thriller, Mercy Road, has been acquired by Well Go USA for release in late 2023 from Arclight Films. Curran directed from a script by Chris Pelletier and Jesse Heffring.
Mercy Road stars Luke Bracey (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, One True Loves), and is described as “a tense, psychological thriller about a flawed everyman who commits an impulsive and vicious crime. In this ultimate journey to redemption, he soon learns just how far he is willing to go to save his child.” Also starring are Susie Porter (Netflix’s Cargo) and Huw Higginson (IFC Films’ The Nightingale), and acclaimed stage and screen actor Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, First Cow, Happy End).
Doris Pfardrescher, President and CEO at Well Go USA negotiated the deal on behalf of the company with Ryan Hamilton from Arclight Films. Arclight is handling international rights and jointly representing North American rights with CAA Media Finance.
“We are pleased to team up with Arclight to bring another of their excellent mind-bending films to North American audiences,” said Pfardrescher. “A clear product of director John Curran’s inimitable vision, Mercy Road is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. We are beyond excited for fans to experience Luke Bracey’s incredible, heart-wrenching performance as a flawed but loving father facing impossible odds—and unthinkable consequences.”
“It’s exciting to have the top-notch team at Well Go come on board to distribute Mercy Road and introduce this incredible and visually stunning movie to audiences in the U.S. Our amazing director John Curran has created a tense and gripping thriller and Luke Bracey simply ignites the screen and brings the audience along for such a wild ride. We are so proud to be a part of this project,” said Arclight Films chairman Gary Hamilton.
Mercy Road is also billed as “the first fully virtual Australian feature film shoot,” produced in partnership with Alex Proyas’s virtual film production company, Heretic Foundation, and a game-changer for the film industry. The film utilizes the latest technologies to bring the creation of original CG worlds to life, performing real time in camera compositing on set. The film was shot against specially created LED screens to capture the world of the film through Unreal Engine which delivers real world complex environments to the screen.
Hianlo Films produced the thriller with financing by Rainmaker Films, Icon Film Financing, Media Finance Capital utilizing Screen NSW PDV scheme and Filmology Finance.