Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Cathy Ang, Rachel Ogechi Kanu to Star in ‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism’ (Exclusive)

Elsie Fisher, the star of Eighth Grade, leads an ensemble that includes Amiah Miller, Cathy Ang, and Rachel Ogechi Kanu to topline in My Best Friend’s Exorcism, an adaptation of the cult-hit novel written by Grady Hendrix.

Damon Thomas, known for his work on Killing Eve and Penny Dreadful, is directing the horror movie, which began production this week for Endeavor Content. Jenna Lamia, who previously wrote for NBC’s Good Girls and The CW’s 90210, has penned the screenplay and will also serve as associate producer. The project is expected to land at Amazon Studios as a negative pickup although deals are still being finalized.

Producing are The Gotham Group, Quirk Productions and Christopher Landon, the writer-director of hit horror movies such as Freaky and Happy Death Day.

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Set in 1988, the novel centered on the relationship between Abby and Gretchen, two best friends and sophomores in high school. Their friendship is tested when an evening of skinny-dipping goes wrong, and Gretchen begins to act differently and followed by bizarre occurrences. After some investigating, Abby begins to horrifyingly suspect that her friend may be possessed by a demon force.

Fisher is playing Abby while Miller is Gretchen. Ang and Kanu play two friends in their group.

The novel was published in 2016 by Quirk Books and described by Kirkus Reviews as The Exorcist by way of Heathers. 

Fisher burst onto the acting scene with her performance in Eighth Grade, earning Golden Globe and Indie Spirit nominations. She had a leading role in Hulu’s Castle Rock series, and recently wrapped two movies: Shoot the Moon, with Henry Winkler and Margot Martingale, and Harlow for Legendary Entertainment.

Miller played a key human role in War for the Planet of the Apes, directed by Matt Reeves, and is one of the leads of David Oyelowo’s directorial debut feature The Water Man, which premiered at TIFF.

Ang starred as the lead voice in Netflix/Pearl Studio’s Academy Award, Golden Globe and NAACP Image Award-nominated feature film Over the Moon, directed by Glen Keane. Cathy also received an individual nomination from the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards for her voice work in the film. The actress is also accomplished in the theatre world and was seen in Hulu series Ramy.

Kanu grew up in Nigeria and moved to the US where she studied at New York’s Pace University. This is her first feature.

Fisher is repped by Innovative Artists, Miller by CAA and Management 360, and Ang by ICM Partners, Authentic Talent & Management. Kanu is repped by Innovative Artists.