Halsey to Star in Avan Jogia’s Psycho-Sexual Horror “Replacer” at Cannes

Pop star Halsey will headline “Replacer,” a psycho-sexual horror film written and directed by Avan Jogia. The project entered sales at the Cannes market, with CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group handling North American rights and Film Mode Entertainment managing international sales. Halsey and Jogia will attend Cannes to meet buyers.

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“Replacer” follows Proxy, a troubled DJ in Montreal, who discovers an underground radio station whose broadcast is corrupted by a hidden signal beneath the city’s subway. The story blends horror, thriller, comedy and romance, influenced by Cronenberg, Alex Cox, Tony Scott and John Carpenter. Wachowski calls it a “surreal hyper-dive.” Production is led by Kyle Mann (Independent Edge), Isabelle Deluce (Soft Focus Films) and Damiano Tucci (Getaway Entertainment), in association with Anarchists United.

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Halsey, a three-time Grammy-nominated singer, and Avan Jogia, writer-director of “Zombieland: Double Tap” and the upcoming “Backrooms,” lead the cast. Executive producers: Lilly Wachowski, Anthony Li, Lawrence Mattis, Sarah Flores, Christopher Renteria, Emily McCann Lesser and Clay Epstein (seven). Producers Kyle Mann, Isabelle Deluce and Damiano Tucci are joined by co-producers Olivier Picard and David Pierrat (Parce Que Films). CAA Media Finance, UTA Independent Film Group and Film Mode Entertainment handle sales.

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Wachowski highlighted the script’s genre-mashing and its grounding in Montreal’s “grit and grime,” noting influences from Cronenberg and Carpenter. Jogia emphasized the blend of “bright and electric club horror” with a “vulnerable romantic story about belonging and community.” They expressed enthusiasm for Cannes buyers.

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The film marks a high-profile crossover of a mainstream pop star into a niche horror-thriller market, potentially expanding Halsey’s audience and attracting genre fans. Lilly Wachowski’s involvement adds veteran credibility, while the Cannes launch signals intent to secure global distribution. The hybrid tone may influence future independent genre experiments.

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• “Lilly Wachowski commented: “Avan and Halsey’s script is a surreal hyper-dive into a twitchy, conspiratorial genre mashing snarl of horror/thriller/comedy, set against the grit and grime of a rarely glimpsed Montreal subculture.” — Lilly Wachowski, Executive Producer

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• “This thing is packed!” — Lilly Wachowski, Executive Producer

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• “ Jogia commented: “Replacer is a bright and electric club horror mashed together with a vulnerable romantic story about belonging and community.” — Avan Jogia, Writer-Director

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• “Stranded in Montreal, Proxy (Halsey), a troubled DJ, meets an alluring artist and his group of friends who run an underground radio station. The station’s broadcast becomes warped by a mysterious signal hidden deep beneath the city’s subway system. Proxy must escape before the sound turns her, and her new friends, into something raw, primal, and unrecognizable.” — Official Synopsis

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During the Cannes market, Halsey and Jogia will meet buyers to negotiate distribution. Film Mode Entertainment will continue international outreach, while North American agents aim to secure theatrical or streaming partners for a 2027 release.

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