Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American rights from XYZ Films for VISCOUS, a mystery thriller debut from writer/director Braden R. Duemmler. The film also stars veteran actress Mena Suvari, Trey Tucker, and newcomer Ema Horvath. Vertical Entertainment plans to release the film in US theaters and on VOD in December 2020; XYZ Films will be handling international sales.

After returning from two months at camp, Liberty, a socially awkward 16-year-old is blindsided when her mother introduces her to her new fiancée, John Smith. At first, his charm, intelligence, and beauty seem too good to be true, after a series of strange occurrences Libby starts to realize that this new member of their family is not exactly who he seems.

“When we are young, our curiosity propels us,” says Duemmler. “Viscous exploits that drive to reconnect us with the anxiety, uncertainty, and fears of adolescence – we indulge the curiosity, until it’s too late. This is my first feature film and I’m incredibly excited to work with Vertical and XYZ on its release.”

Viscous was produced by Abel Vang, Stephen Stanley, and Kristina Esposito; executive produced by Linus Hume; co-produced by Panda Lord, cinematography by Jimmy Jung Lu; production design by Monica Dabrowski; edited by R.J. Daniel Hanna and Marc Sedaka; and composed by Gavin Keese.