Play time for Studios
The 2026 low-budget revolution of horror films chugs along, as Deadline is now reporting that Focus Features and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster have snatched up the distribution rights for a new horror film titled Play House from Nicolas Curcio. The deal is said to have reached seven figures for worldwide distribution excluding Latin America and India. This is a big investment for Curcio’s film, which follows the trend set by Curry Barker’s Obsession, but if you could believe it, Play House was shot with an even smaller budget, which came to somewhere over $100,000. This means it was made for roughly 13% of Obsession‘s budget.
Play House
Play House is set to release in theaters in 2027 with the international distribution being handled by Universal Pictures International. The movie stars Will Harrison, Jessica Sula, Jordan Gonzalez, and James Urbaniak. Curcio and Gladstein produced the film for Skinny Ghost, alongside Ben Gojer, Jack Forbes, and Derek Tramont. The executive producers on board include Ahbra Perry via Chroma, Daniel Levin via Narrative, Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath of Divide/Conquer, and Jason Blum of Blumhouse Atomic-Monster. Perry reps the film for sales via Narrative Distribution.
The film is written by Curcio and his wife and creative partner Kirby Gladstein. The film follows a character named Elliott (Harrison) while he’s renovating a dilapidated house to win back his ex. He discovers VHS tapes of an unaired children’s TV show, which begins to seep into his life, threatening his last chance at reconciliation.
Play House was part of the Fantastic Fest 2026 lineup, where it made its world premiere, and it was also a winner of the 2025 Fantastic Pitches.
Focus Features and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster are planning for more releases out of their partnership. According to Deadline, “Most recently, they announced their partnership on director Josh Giuliano’s Occupant following the buzzy TIFF debut of his first horror film, River.”
Focus is normally known for dramatic features, but the studio also has a working relationship with Robert Eggers and has released his films, Nosferatu and the upcoming film Werwulf, which opens on Christmas Day.
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