Full Breakdown
Production Wraps on Zachary Cotler’s Psychological Horror-Thriller “Exit to the Guillotine”
8/6/2026, 8:14:18 AM
Core Event: Completion of Filming
Production on “Exit to the Guillotine,” a psychological horror-thriller written and directed by Zachary Cotler, has concluded. The film follows Burne Peter (played by Peyton List), an off-Broadway actress who joins an international theater troupe rehearsing a new translation of an old Polish play inside a decommissioned prison on the Ukrainian coast. Each rehearsal is marked by the mysterious disappearance of a cast member, driving the narrative’s tension.
Background & Context: Cotler’s Independent Film Track Record
Cotler’s work is produced through the Winter Film Company, an independent outfit he founded. His debut drama “Maya Dardel” earned best screenplay at the Prague Independent Film Festival in 2017. Subsequent projects include the 2019 “un-biopic” “When I’m a Moth,” set in 1969 Alaska, and “The Wall of Mexico,” also released in 2019, which examined a wealthy Mexican-American family’s self-built water barrier. These titles establish Cotler’s focus on unconventional stories and genre-blending.
Key Figures & Groups: Cast, Crew, and Production Team
The ensemble features Peyton List (“Cobra Kai,” “School Spirits”) as the lead, alongside Gustaf Skarsgård (“Oppenheimer,” “Vikings,” “Westworld”) portraying director Dado Levytskyy. Supporting actors include Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Lea Myren, Dylan Douglas, Marcin Czarnik, Nikki Si’ulepa, Michael Golab, Pablo Sandstrom, and newcomer Jan Klapyta. Executive producers are List, Skarsgård, Thomas Pettinelli, and Mark Jazwin. Additional producers are Magdalena Zyzak, Bonnie Timmermann, Marius Vilunas, Jean Pierre Magro, and J. Todd Harris.
Data & Statistics: Ensemble and Production Details
The film’s principal cast comprises ten actors, with an additional supporting role introduced. Production is overseen by Winter Film Company, and the executive-producer roster includes four industry figures. The setting—a decommissioned Ukrainian coastal prison—provides a singular location for the entire shoot.
Impact and Outlook: Anticipated Release and Genre Position
“Exit to the Guillotine” adds to the growing catalog of psychological horror-thrillers that blend theatrical intrigue with supernatural suspense. With a cast that spans established television talent and international performers, the film is positioned to attract audiences seeking genre-bending narratives. Further distribution plans have not been disclosed, but the completed production signals an upcoming entry into the horror-thriller market.
