Bret Easton Ellis to direct Relapse, starring Joseph Quinn

Provocative American author Bret Easton Ellis will make his directorial debut with Relapse, a lofty horror film he wrote starring Stranger Things breakout Joseph Quinn, Variety reports.

Ellis is perhaps best known for his iconic satirical novels, many of which were adapted for the screen, such as American Psycho and Rules of Attraction. The author has flirted with the film industry before, penning the screenplay for  Paul Schrader's erotic thriller The Canyons and Smiley Face Killers in 2020. Most recently, his latest book, The Shards, was optioned by HBO for a mini-series.

The film will star Quinn as Matt Cullen, who checks into a rehabilitation clinic after witnessing a death at an opulent, hedonistic soirée. Three months later, when things seem to return to normal, an event disturbs the peace and changes Cullen’s life.

“I grew up watching the iconic horror movies of the 1970s,” Ellis said. “I’ve written Lunar Park, a horror novel, as an homage to Stephen King. It seems appropriate that my first feature would be a horror film. There is a simplicity to Relapse that seems like the perfect form for my directing debut: something direct and impactful.”

Relapse is set to be produced by SND, who will bring the film to the European Film Market in Berlin this month in the hopes to gain traction. At present, a release date for the film is not available.