EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) and Joseph Cross (Lincoln) have signed on to star in Affection, a dark sci-fi horror film marking the feature debut of BT Meza, who directs from his own script.
Young up-and-comer Julianna Layne (Prodigal Son) will co-star alongside the duo.
The film follows Ellie (Rothe), who is stuck in a cyclical nightmare. Grappling with a condition that erratically resets her memory, she’s left unable to remember her husband (Cross) or daughter (Julianna Layne). Each reset leaves her disoriented and haunted with vivid memories of a life she’s never lived.
A production of Superconductive in partnership with Minutehand Pictures and Circa 1888, the film’s producers are Meza, Austin Walk, Bay Dariz (Hypochondriac) and JP Ouellette (Mass). Christian Henderson and Christy Walker are serving as executive producers.
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Best known for starring in Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U, a pair of low-budget horror films from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse which together grossed over $190M globally, Rothe has also been seen in titles like Lionsgate’s Boy Kills World and La La Land, as well as series like Utopia, Chicago P.D. and High Maintenance.
In film, Cross’s credits include Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza, David Fincher’s Mank and Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, as well as acclaimed titles like Devotion and Milk. He’s also been seen on shows like Big Little Lies and Mindhunter.
In addition to Fox’s Prodigal Son, Layne can be seen in films like A Christmas Story Christmas and Audrey’s Children.
Rothe is represented by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Cross by Untitled Entertainment; Layne by Take 3 Talent Agency and Rebel Creative Group.