Filming is in full swing in Melbourne, Australia, for Saccharine, the latest horror film from Natalie Erika James, as per Deadline exclusive report. James is known for her work on Relic and Apartment 7A. This under-the-radar project features Grey’s Anatomy and The Sex Lives of College Girls star Midori Francis in the lead role, alongside Danielle Macdonald and Madeleine Madden.
Saccharine dives into the story of Hana, a medical student portrayed by Francis, whose pursuit of weight loss through a bizarre fad—eating human ashes—leads her into a haunting ordeal with a “hungry ghost.” Macdonald stars as Hana’s best friend Josie, while Madden plays Alanya, a fitness influencer and personal trainer.
Writer-director Natalie Erika James, known for her exploration of complex themes in horror, describes the film as “an intimate look into one woman’s struggle with body image, self-worth, and shame-driven compulsion, told through a supernatural body-horror with a queer lens and an edge of the absurd.”
James reunites with producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw of Carver Films, who previously collaborated with her on Relic. The duo shared their enthusiasm, saying, “Saccharine explodes off the page with Natalie’s bold vision. To team with her again is such a sweet pleasure for us. We can’t wait to see Midori, Danielle, and Madeleine bring these incredible women to life.”
The project, produced by Carver Films and Thrum Films, has received production investment from Screen Australia, XYZ Films, IPR.VC, and Stan, with additional support from VicScreen. It will be distributed theatrically in Australia and New Zealand by Maslow Entertainment and debut as a Stan Original Film. XYZ Films is handling global sales.
Currently shooting at Docklands Studios and various Melbourne locations, Saccharine is set to showcase James’ signature ability to blend intimate storytelling with chilling visuals.
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