EXCLUSIVE: Brainstorm Media acquires psychological thriller from Verdi Productions Somnambulist for North American distribution. The film will be released in theaters day and date on January 9, 2026.
Produced by Verdi Productions and Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way, Somnambulist “follows an accomplished artist who is haunted by the tragic loss of her daughter in a car accident that left her abusive husband in a coma. As she struggles with a surreal descent into darkness, her sleepwalking episodes intensify. Plagued by haunting visions of her husband inside their home, she grapples with the blurred lines between reality and nightmare.”
Hayden Panettiere, Golden Globe nominee (Shout) leads the cast, which also stars Golden Globe nominee Beverly D’Angelo (Vacation film series), Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds), Mischa Barton (The sixth sense), Lori Tan Chinn (Orange is the new black), and Kea Ho (Sin City: a lady worth killing for).
Chad A. Verdi (Bleed for this) and Jennifer Davisson (Flower Moon Killers) produced the film, alongside Phillip Watson, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr. and Paul Luba. Executive producers are Taylor DiGilio, Sera Verdi and Anthony Gudas. Brandon Auman wrote the screenplay and directed.
The deal was negotiated by Chad A. Verdi of Verdi Productions and Michelle Shwarzstein and Alex Peters of Brainstorm Media.
Chad A. Verdi, president of Verdi Productions, said, “Brainstorm’s enthusiasm and strategic marketing plan made it a prime candidate for national distribution. Hayden’s emotionally charged performance as a grieving mother is captivating, and we can’t wait for the world to see her flourish in this new and exciting chapter of her accomplished career.”
Michelle Shwarzstein, CEO of Brainstorm Media, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Verdi Production on another great film. We look forward to bringing this tense psychological thriller to audiences early next year.”
Brainstorm recently released a tech thriller American sweatshop with Lili Reinhart, and black comedy Psychotherapy with Steve Buscemi, Britt Lower and John Magaro. The upcoming Christmas comedy City of Garlandswith Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson.
