Michael Shanks Teams with A24 for Sci-Fi Thriller Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel
Fresh off the success of his feature debut Together, filmmaker Michael Shanks is already stepping back into the genre spotlight. His next project, backed by A24, is a sci-fi thriller with the unforgettable title Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel.
The film will follow a man who wakes up trapped in a mysterious hotel room. Alone in what seems like a surreal prison, he must figure out how to escape—by teaming up with the only person available: himself.
From Body Horror to Sci-Fi
Earlier this year, Shanks’ debut feature Together premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it drew praise for its wild mix of body horror and emotional storytelling. JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray awarded the film an 8/10, calling it “a blast for horror fans.” While Together didn’t become a runaway mainstream hit, it carved out a cult audience, grossing over $32 million globally before finding new life on digital release.
That momentum is now carrying over into Shanks’ partnership with A24, a studio synonymous with bold and inventive genre films.
A Black List Script
The screenplay for Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel has already made waves in Hollywood. It appeared on the 2021 Black List, the annual survey of the industry’s most-liked unproduced scripts. Descriptions of the script suggest a high-concept, mind-bending story with complex rules and puzzles at its core. One review even called it “one of the trippiest scripts ever read,” noting its worldbuilding feels like a giant puzzle that audiences will be eager to solve.
Behind the Scenes
Shanks will not only direct but also co-produce the film. He’s joined by Mike Cowap of Princess Pictures, along with Adam McKay and Todd Schulman of HyperObject Industries, ensuring Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel has both indie pedigree and Hollywood firepower. A24 is said to be moving quickly on the project, with casting already underway.
What’s Next
Shanks may only be one film into his career, but his creative trajectory is already drawing comparisons to other breakout genre filmmakers like Ari Aster (Hereditary) and Robert Eggers (The Witch). If Together proved he could make horror both visceral and human, Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel looks set to show how far he can stretch the boundaries of sci-fi storytelling.
Fans of Together and curious A24 devotees will want to keep an eye on this project as it develops. With a premise that sounds equal parts claustrophobic thriller and metaphysical puzzle box, Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel could be one of the most talked-about films on A24’s upcoming slate.
