A 2016 horror novel from New York Times best-selling author Grady Hendrix–My Best Friend’s Exorcism–is finally moving ahead with a film adaptation that was first hinted at three years ago.
News broke this week, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, that casting has begun in earnest. The novel’s group of friends will be portrayed by Elsie Fisher (Castle Rock), Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes), Cathy Ang (Over the Moon) and Rachel Ogechi Kanu.
The behind-the-camera talent for the film has a strong genre background, with director Damon Thomas (Penny Dreadful and Killing Eve) and producer Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day and Freaky). The screenplay was handled by Jenna Lamia, who also wore the hat of associate producer.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism–described as “an unholy hybrid of Beaches and The Exorcist–combines “teen angst, adolescent drama and unspeakable horrors into a supernatural thriller,” according to the official description.
The story–set in 1988–follows high school sophomores and best friends Abby (played by Fisher) and Gretchen (played by Miller). “After an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act…different,” according to the synopsis. “She’s moody…irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby.”
Abby starts an investigation, which leads her to “some startling discoveries, and by the time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?”.
This is not Hendrix’ first foray into horror. Her other novels include Horrorstor (2014), We Sold Our Souls (2018) and this year’s The Final Girl Support Group (due out in July).
Production on the film has begun, so keep reading Horror News Network for updates on casting and a release date for My Best Friend’s Exorcism.
