Vertical picks up All Fun And Games starring Natalia Dyer and Asa Butterfield

Vertical has acquired North American rights to Anton and AGBO’s horror thriller All Fun and Games, co-directed by Ari Costa and Eren Celeboglu who are making their feature film debuts. Written by Costa, Celeboglu and JJ Braider (Vampire Academy), the film stars Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things), Asa Butterfield (Sex Education), Benjamin Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor), Laurel Marsden (The Pope’s Exorcist), Kolton Stewart (Locke & Key) and Annabeth Gish (Midnight Mass).

The film explores the elements of cruelty inherent in children’s games – Flashlight Tag, Hangman, Hide & Seek – and what happens when the games go too far. When a group of teens find a cursed knife in the woods, they unleash a malevolent demon that will not rest until it’s claimed all of their lives and souls in a terrifying deathmatch.

The film is slated for a day-and-date release on September 1.

Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey commented, “We are thrilled to be in business with Anton & The Russo Brothers’ AGBO who have shepherded the project allowing Ari and Eren to create a gripping debut film based on a high concept idea that caught, and held, our attention immediately. We are so excited for audiences to experience the film and the terrifying story that will leave them haunted.”

“AGBO is proud to use our platform and resources for producing first-time and newer directors over the years, introducing audiences to exciting and untapped visionaries. Ari and Eren’s debut feature film is no exception. We are thrilled to work with Vertical on this release and can’t wait for audiences to be entertained by ALL FUN AND GAMES,” added Producer Angela Russo-Otstot.

The film is produced by Anton’s John Zois, and AGBO’s Angela Russo-Otstot, and Jake Aust and Kassee Whiting. Executive producers include Anton’s Holly Hubsher, AGBO’s Anthony and Joe Russo and Mike Larocca. AGBO’s previous releases include Academy Award winning, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix’s recently released Extraction 2 (the follow up to Extraction) and The Gray Man, and Amazon’s global series, “Citadel”.

Jarowey and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal on behalf of Vertical; CAA Media Finance and Anton negotiated the deal on behalf of the production.