A new intense thriller starringDjimon HounsouandKodi Smit-McPheein lead roles is coming our way soon. A few months afterthe project was first announced,Varietynow reports thatZealothas wrapped production in Canada. WesEnd Films has been handling sales for the film and the London-based production company has released a first-look image at the thriller spotlighting its two main characters. Described as a claustrophobic thriller,Zealotstars Hounsou as Hassan and Smit-McPhee as Lloyd, with one the villain and the other the victim.
Per the official logline, “Zealotis a film about privilege, paranoia, and the assumptions we make about one another. The film follows Hassan, a Somali-American airport shuttle driver in Minneapolis, who is struggling to make ends meet. When Lloyd, a stranded twenty-something at the airport, offers to pay Hassan to take him overland to Chicago, it seems worth the risk. But as the realization grows that his passenger is not what he seems, Hassan finds he is trapped in a terrifying ride which he can’t escape from, knowing that to save himself might put countless others in danger.”
The solitary image doesn’t give much away, but it appears to show the moment when Hassan and Lloyd meet for the first time. Dressed in a maroon hoodie, Lloyd appears rather enigmatic as he knocks on Hassan’s shuttle, obviously to introduce himself and present his offer. Hassan is visibly suspicious of him, but as the synopsis reveals, he ultimately makes the bad call. The narrative will likely play out the options Hassan must explore to maneuver and possibly overcome the threat that Lloyd poses.
Who Is Behind ‘Zealot’?
Zealotis based on an award-winning play byBennett Fisher,who also adapts the story for the screen. The film is directed byVadim Perelman,best recognized forHouse of Sand and FogandThe Life Before Her Eyes.Bradley GalloandMichael Helfantserve as executive producers under Amasia Entertainment. Producers includeJib Polhemus(Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), along withNorman Golightly(Last Breath) representing Dark Castle who just hoped aboard the project. In a statement, Dark Castle Entertainment co-CEO Golightly teasedZealot’s thriller elements, drawing comparisons with the 2004 neo-noir action thrillerCollateralstarringTom CruiseandJamie Foxx. He said:
“The collection of talent, both in front of and behind the camera, that has been drawn to this project speaks to the caliber of this relentless and timely thriller. Reminiscent of films like Collateral, audiences will be not only be on the edge of their seats, but they’ll have a lot to think about on their way home.”
No release date has been set forZealot, but stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
