By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The title is ironic, as sheltering becomes just as dangerous as the virus.
Voltage Pictures has announced that it has sold U.S. rights to director Will Wernick’s SAFER AT HOME to Vertical Entertainment, which is planning to open it next month. Produced under safety measures during the pandemic, it was scripted by Wernick and Lia Bozonelis from a story by Wernick, Bozonelis and John Ierardi, and stars Alisa Allapach, Adwin Brown, Jocelyn Hudon, Dan J. Johnson, Michael Kupisk, Emma Lahana and Daniel Robaire. The synopsis: “In 2022, the coronavirus pandemic has created mass chaos in Los Angeles and turned the city into a police state. To escape the grim reality of life, a group of friends get together for an online party: a night of music, drinking, games…and drugs. To kick off the party, they collectively take a hit of what they think is molly. At first, the night is an exciting departure from the boredom of isolation, but as the drug kicks in, things go terribly wrong and the safety of their home becomes more terrifying than the raging chaos outside.”
Wernick’s previous movie NO ESCAPE (a.k.a. FOLLOW ME) “was a strong success for many of our international partners,” says Voltage president/COO Jonathan Deckter, “so when the chance came to partner with Will for the third time, it was a no-brainer. He’s created a whip-smart, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will speak to audiences worldwide, as they simultaneously experience the varying stages of the pandemic.”
