Following a North American premiere at Fantastic Fest and an award-winning festival tour that included screenings at Sitges, Shanghai, Vancouver, and Oldenburg, Film Movement has secured the North American rights to The Wait (La Espera). This film, directed by Spanish cult filmmaker F. Javier Gutiérrez (Before the Fall, Rings), is set for an autumn digital and cable release.

The Wait is a folk horror tragedy featuring a stellar cast including Victor Clavijo (Before the Fall), Ruth Diaz, Manuel Moron, and Pedro Casablanc (Strange Way of Life). The film is produced by Gutiérrez’s Unfiled Films, Nostromo Pictures (Buried, Penny Dreadful), and Spal Films (Before the Fall).

Michael Rosenberg, President of Film Movement, coordinated the deal with Vicente Canales, Managing Director of Film Factory Entertainment, securing all rights in North America. Rosenberg expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We’re excited to be working with director F. Javier Gutiérrez on his latest film. Full of excellent craftsmanship and a haunting performance by Victor Clavijo, ‘The Wait’ is a haunting thriller we’re sure audiences will be drawn to.”

Set deep in the Andalusian countryside, The Wait follows Eladio (Clavijo), a groundskeeper at a hunting estate owned by the powerful Don Francisco. After accepting a bribe from a veteran hunter, Eladio’s life unravels, plunging him into the depths of guilt, hatred, and revenge. The film has been praised as a “powerful and devastating” (Fotogramas) folk horror thriller that takes viewers on a macabre descent into hell (Screen Zealots), with Gutiérrez’s direction and Clavijo’s performance highlighted as standout elements.

Gutiérrez shared his excitement about the upcoming release, saying, “I’m truly excited to share with American audiences this unsettling story of guilt, loss, revenge, and class divides. Deeply human and rich with symbolism and biblical references, ‘The Wait is my most personal and uncompromising film to date. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Film Movement for making this possible and for their unwavering support and dedication to filmmakers and film lovers around the world.”

The Wait promises to be a gripping addition to the horror genre, offering a chilling exploration of human emotion and societal divides. With its fall release, horror enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing this compelling narrative.