Come With Me (1966) King Hu Film News

Vertical has acquired North American rights to Come With Me, a psychological thriller featuring Theo Rossi and Ron Perlman, and the distributor has released the first trailer for the film exclusively through USA Film News. The deal marks a significant pickup for the indie psychological drama, which has been generating buzz on the festival circuit ahead of its planned theatrical and VOD release later this year.

The film centers on a former special-forces operative who is drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse when a mysterious woman from his past resurfaces, forcing him to confront the consequences of a mission gone wrong. Rossi plays the lead role of a man unraveling under the weight of guilt and paranoia, while Perlman portrays a shadowy figure whose motives remain ambiguous until the film’s tense final act. Directed by first-time feature filmmaker Mara Ellison, who also co-wrote the script alongside Jordan Reese, Come With Me reportedly leans heavily on atmospheric tension and psychological ambiguity rather than overt action set pieces, a choice that has drawn comparisons to classic neo-noir thrillers from the 1970s.

According to sources close to the production, the project was shot on location in the Pacific Northwest over a 24-day schedule, with Ellison favoring practical effects and long, unbroken takes to heighten the sense of dread. The trailer, which runs just under two minutes, opens with Rossi’s character staring at a flickering motel sign, then cuts between fragmented flashbacks of a desert operation, a tense phone call, and a slow-burning confrontation with Perlman’s character in a rain-soaked parking lot. The footage emphasizes sound design - distant thunder, muffled dialogue, a low, pulsing score - over expository dialogue, suggesting a film that rewards attentive viewers.

Vertical’s acquisition follows a competitive bidding situation that played out over several weeks, with multiple independent distributors expressing interest in the title. The company has not yet announced a specific release date, but industry insiders expect the film to land in theaters and on digital platforms in the fourth quarter of 2026, positioning it for awards-season consideration, particularly for Rossi’s performance. This marks Vertical’s second high-profile genre pickup this summer, following their acquisition of a supernatural horror film starring an ensemble cast, and the company has been steadily expanding its slate of adult-skewing, character-driven thrillers.

Rossi, best known for his work on television series such as Sons of Anarchy and The Penguin, has been increasingly selective about his film roles, and Come With Me reportedly appealed to him because of its morally complex protagonist. In a statement provided to USA Film News, Rossi described the script as “a rare kind of quiet menace” and praised Ellison’s direction for creating “a space where the silence between lines does the heaviest lifting.” Perlman, whose career spans decades from Hellboy to Sons of Anarchy, reportedly signed on after reading only the first act, drawn to the film’s refusal to offer easy answers. Neither actor was available for further comment at press time.

The film’s production history was not without its challenges. Ellison, who previously worked as a camera operator on several independent features, financed the project through a combination of private equity and a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised $180,000 in its final week. Principal photography faced delays due to weather-related setbacks, including a week-long shutdown when a storm damaged part of the motel set, but the crew ultimately completed the shoot on schedule. Post-production took nearly eight months, largely due to the intricate sound mixing that Ellison considers integral to the film’s effect.

Early reactions from private screenings have been largely positive, with one industry trade describing the film as “a chilling portrait of masculine guilt that never tips into melodrama.” Critics have also noted the strong supporting turn from actress Nadia Harlow, who plays Rossi’s estranged wife in a series of increasingly unsettling phone conversations that form a narrative backbone of the film. The score, composed by ambient musician Caleb Voss, was recorded with a live string quartet and layered with field recordings of rain and highway traffic, creating an auditory landscape that mirrors the protagonist’s fractured mental state.

Vertical will release Come With Me in select theaters and on digital platforms, with a physical release expected to follow. The trailer is now available on Vertical’s official channels, and a behind-the-scenes featurette is planned for release closer to the film’s debut. With its combination of a familiar thriller premise and an emphasis on mood over spectacle, Come With Me appears poised to find an audience among viewers seeking something more restrained than the typical summer blockbuster. Whether it will achieve breakout status remains to be seen, but the early indicators are promising for a film that has already survived more than its share of production obstacles.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter