#IrishFilm: Ellen Page to lead David Freyne’s psychological horror The Third Wave

Screen International is reporting that Hollywood star Ellen Page has signed on to star in David Freyne’s new Irish psychological horror film The Third Wave.

The film, which is scripted by Freyne, is set following the outbreak of an aggressive virus, and sees a young woman wake in a hospital bed. As the horrifying events that led her there are revealed, it becomes clear that the cure is just the beginning. Society has divided into those who were once infected, and committed terrible violent acts, and those who never contracted the virus. In the backdrop, the rise of a terrorist movement, fuelled by the deep divisions, threatens to plunge the region into chaos again.

Commenting on her casting Page said:

The Third Wave brings an entire new perspective to the zombie genre, which I love. David Freyne truly shifts his lens on society’s role in the apocalyptic world. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to share his thoughtful approach to horror with audiences.

The film is Freyne’s feature directorial debut. He previously directed a number of shorts such as The Tree and Passing, before filming a proof-of-concept prequel to his feature, titled The First Wave. This is an approach that The Survivalist writer/director Stephen Fingleton successfully accomplished earlier this year.

Page will star opposite The Other Side of Sleep and Monsters: Dark Continent star Sam Keeley. Keeley will next be seen with fellow Irish stars Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan in Anthropoid, while Page will next be seen in Sian Heder’s Tallulah.

Rachael O’Kane and Rory Dungan  produce for Dublin-based Tilted Pictures, with Page onboard as a producer also. The film will be co-produced by Mark Huffam and Aidan Elliot for the UK-based Bounder & Cad, and French-based Bac Films. Financing for the film comes from the Irish Film Board (IFB), Northern Ireland Screen, and Bac Films. Filming will commence on location in Ireland later this year.

Tilted Pictures producer Rory Duggan is delighted to have Page working on the film:

Ellen Page is simply one of the best actors of her generation and we cannot wait to collaborate with her in bringing this truly original and exciting genre film to life.

Bac Films general manager Mathieu Robinet thrilled to be working on Freyne first feature: 

The script is such a fresh and compelling take on the genre. We know that the production team will craft an exceptional elevated horror movie in the vein of Let The Right One In or It Follows that will resonate with a broad audience.

Watch The First Wave now and get excited for this feature.