Ever since Mikey Madison wowed audiences and critics alike with her breakout role in Anora — and won the hotly sought-after Oscar for Best Actress in the process — we've been watching closely to see what she would do next. And now, it seems the rising star has officially set her sights on a fresh and intriguing project, with a lead role in Reptilia. She's in great company, with Kirsten Dunst set to share the screen in what promises to be one of the most talked-about indie films of the year. With two powerhouse talents at the helm and a mysterious, genre-bending premise, Reptilia is already generating serious buzz. Below, everything we know so far about the forthcoming project.
What is Reptilia about?
Reptilia is a departure from the world of sex workers and Russian oligarchs that Madison first cut her teeth with in Anora, and, if we're honest, has one of the most unusual plots we've ever come across. The film is reportedly about a " dental hygienist seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade." There's no word yet on who will play which character, but if we had to guess, our money is on Madison as the mermaid, and Dunst as her dental hygienist prey.
Who is involved?
So far, there's no additions to the cast beyond Madison and Dunst. Behind the scenes, however, there's already a powerhouse crew assembled. Directing the project is filmmaker Alejandro Landes Echavarría, who also co-wrote the script alongside Duke Merriman. Pastel, Imperative Entertainment and AF Films are set to produce alongside Landes Echavarría under his A Stela Cine banner.
When will it be released?
Filming is slated to begin in late 2025, with the team repoirtedly set to bring the project to buyers at Cannes Film Festival this May. With that timeline in mind, we'd guess it will be late 2026, or early 2027, before Reptilia hits cinemas.
