Move over, “Succession” — this cursed pharma family has bigger problems than bad PR and internal backstabbing.
Vertical has officially snapped up North American rights to Breed of Greed, a psychological thriller that blends dynastic drama with demonic possession, and stars Gina Gershon (Face/Off) as a ruthless stepmother under supernatural influence. Directed by Ralph Hemecker (Once Upon a Time) and co-written with Andrew Boszhardt and Otto Eckstein, the film is set to hit theaters and on-demand platforms starting September 26.
The cast includes Boszhardt himself, alongside Adrian Enscoe (“Dickinson”), Chelsea Gilligan (“Star-Crossed”), and Madison Lewis (Alexander IRL), in a story that spirals into the crumbling legacy of the Wendolyns – a once-mighty pharmaceutical dynasty. After the sudden, mysterious death of its patriarch, the family finds itself ensnared by an ancient curse. At the center of the chaos is Henry (Boszhardt), the reluctant heir and family outsider, forced to confront his manipulative stepmother (Gershon), now under the influence of a demon that feeds on greed.
“We wanted to make a film that was topical but also timeless,” says Boszhardt. “Everyone loves a good ‘fall from power’ story, and we tried to make one that was entertaining and fun, not preachy.”
No stranger to high-stakes genre storytelling, Hemecker brings a sharp visual style and a dark wit to the project. That mix wasn’t lost on Vertical’s Senior VP of Acquisitions, Tony Piantedosi, who praised the film’s high-wire act between horror and headline satire: “Ralph has done a remarkable job of balancing horror thrills with a dark sense of humor rooted in modern headlines of the privileged class.”
Breed of Greed was produced by Hemecker, Boszhardt, and Eckstein, with executive production credits going to Joel Hatch, Perry Husman, David Gendron, Viviana Zarragoitia, Jamie Thompson, and Boszhardt. The deal was negotiated by Piantedosi and Rachel White for Vertical, with VMI COO Jessica Russo representing the filmmakers.
Demon-possession meets dynastic downfall? Sign us up.
