Gabrielle Union and Mike Colter are bringing one of New Orleans’ most enduring legends to the screen in the supernatural horror thriller ‘Casket Girls.’
Directed by Justin G. Dyck, the film follows Detective Shay Williams, played by Union, and her partner, Galpin, portrayed by Colter. Their investigation begins after a child experiences something supernatural and leads them to a centuries-old New Orleans church, where they accidentally unleash vampires imprisoned for hundreds of years.
The detectives soon find themselves trapped in the church with unsuspecting tourists, turning a routine case into a fight for survival.
Inspired by New Orleans History
‘Casket Girls’ draws from the legend of young French women who arrived in New Orleans during the early 18th century to marry French colonists. They reportedly carried small chests containing personal belongings, inspiring their nickname.
Folklore later connected the women to mysterious deaths and supernatural activity, with some legends suggesting they were vampires or demons. The film reimagines that history as a contemporary horror story, depicting the women as prisoners held for more than 300 years in the attic of the Vatican-controlled Ursuline Convent. When they escape, Williams and Galpin face the resulting supernatural nightmare.
Cast and Creative Team
Union stars as Detective Williams and serves as an executive producer. Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Jameson Parker are also executive producers. Her previous genre credits include the thriller ‘Breaking In.’
Colter, best known for playing Luke Cage in Marvel’s television universe, has also appeared in the supernatural drama ‘Evil.’
The supporting cast includes Raúl Castillo, Matt Frewer and Thomas Lennon. Hazel Bartlett-Sais, Lucia Morris, Ana Pacheco, Talisa Mae Stewart, Haylie Hansen and Charlotte Kavanagh play the Casket Girls.
Lennon also helped write the screenplay with Robert Ben Garant, with revisions by Keith Cooper and Dyck.
QC Entertainment, the company behind ‘Get Out’ and ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ is producing the film. Sean McKittrick and Raymond Mansfield are attached as producers. Production was completed in Victoria, British Columbia.
QC Entertainment, the company behind ‘Get Out’ and ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ is producing the film. Sean McKittrick and Raymond Mansfield are attached as producers. Production was completed in Victoria, British Columbia.
Distribution and Release
‘Casket Girls’ has secured U.S. distribution, with Aura Entertainment acquiring domestic rights from QC Entertainment. U.K.-based Capture is handling international sales, with the campaign launching in connection with the Toronto market.
A U.S. release date has not been announced. With production complete and distribution secured, the film is awaiting further release details.
