Emilia Clarke Heads Underground Horror When Darkness Loves Us
Emilia Clarke is heading into much darker territory than dragons and dystopian robots, with the Game of Thrones star set to lead the upcoming horror film When Darkness Loves Us, a new nightmare from director James Ashcroft.
Fresh off production in New Zealand, the film has already secured distribution with Bleecker Street, who are planning a US theatrical release in 2027. And based on the talent involved both in front of and behind the camera, this is shaping up to be one of those horror projects that quietly creeps up on you before absolutely wrecking your nerves.
Clarke takes on the central role of a young woman who emerges into the world after spending 15 years trapped in an underground cave system. That alone is enough to make you want to turn all the lights on in your house immediately. But things get far more unsettling, as her return to the surface is driven by a desperate need to reclaim the family she believes is hers, regardless of the cost. And yes, that cost is described as monstrous, which is never a good sign for anyone involved.
While Clarke is best known globally for playing Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, she has dipped into genre territory before. She starred in Terminator: Genisys, stepping into the iconic role of Sarah Connor, and has consistently shown a willingness to take on darker, more emotionally intense material. This new role looks set to push her even further into psychological horror territory, which could be a very interesting shift for audiences used to seeing her command armies rather than crawl out of caves.
Joining her is Victoria Pedretti, who is no stranger to horror fans. Pedretti made a huge impression in The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, two of the most acclaimed modern horror series in recent years. She also appeared in You, where she proved she can bring an unsettling edge even outside of traditional horror. Her involvement here immediately adds credibility to the film’s tone, especially given her track record with emotionally driven, psychologically intense roles.
Marlon Williams, known for his work on Sweet Tooth, also stars. While not strictly a horror regular, Williams has experience in genre storytelling, particularly in worlds that blend the fantastical with grounded human drama. That balance could be key in a film like this, which appears to lean heavily on atmosphere and character as much as outright horror.
Rounding out the cast is Natascha McElhone, whose career spans decades and genres. While many will recognise her from The Truman Show, she has also appeared in projects that flirt with darker themes, including the sci-fi series Halo. Her presence adds a level of gravitas, and given the film’s premise, it would not be surprising if her role ties into the psychological or familial aspects of the story.
Behind the camera, James Ashcroft continues to build on the momentum he established with The Rule of Jenny Pen. That film showcased his ability to handle tension and character driven horror, and here he not only directs but co-writes the screenplay alongside Hayley Sproull and Eli Kent. The script is based on Elizabeth Engstrom’s 1985 horror novella of the same name, a story known for its deeply unsettling themes and exploration of trauma, identity, and survival.
Ashcroft has spoken openly about his connection to the source material, describing it as a story that blurs the line between tragedy and monstrosity. That is exactly the kind of tone horror thrives on. Characters who are not purely good or evil, but something far more complicated and uncomfortable to watch. If the film captures even a fraction of that, it could end up being something genuinely haunting.
Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson has also hinted at the scale of the film, particularly the underground world that has been created for it. He described the setting as a fully realised subterranean universe, which suggests this is not just a character piece but a visually immersive experience as well. And if you are going to trap someone underground for 15 years, you had better make that environment memorable.
Production duties are handled by Desray Armstrong, known for her work on Wellington Paranormal, while Ant Timpson, the filmmaker behind Housebound and Turbo Kid, serves as an executive producer. Timpson’s involvement is especially notable for horror fans, as both of those films have earned strong reputations for blending genre thrills with distinctive style.
All signs point to When Darkness Loves Us being a film that leans heavily into atmosphere, character, and psychological horror rather than simple jump scares. With a cast that includes proven horror talent and a director clearly passionate about the material, this is one to keep firmly on the radar.
Just maybe keep a light on when you watch it.
