Italian Folk Horror THE HOLY BOY Acquired By Shudder For 2026 Release
Paolo Strippoli's latest won the Audience Award at Fantastic Fest.
Following its North American premiere at last week's Fantastic Fest, Italian folk-horror fable The Holy Boy has been acquired by Shudder for release in North America, the UK, and Ireland.
According to Deadline, who reported the news earlier today, The Holy Boy will hit the horror streamer sometime in 2026, with no set date confirmed yet.
From director Paolo Strippoli (Piove) and starring Michele Riondino (Wish) and newcomer Giulio Feltri, The Holy Boy Sergio (Riondino), a teacher tormented by his past who is transferred to Remis, a secluded village known as the happiest town in Italy:
But Sergio soon discovers that behind the town’s joyful facade lies a disturbing secret: Each week, the villagers gather to hug Matteo (Feltri), an introverted 15-year-old whose embrace can free one of all pain and sorrow. As Sergio uncovers that the village’s devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community’s vengeful nature.
Speaking with Deadline, Strippoli had the following to say of the exciting news:
“Shudder is a guiding light in visionary genre cinema, and I am beyond thrilled they will bring THE HOLY BOY to a wider, passionate audience. The film explores our relationship with pain—the shortcuts we take to avoid it, and the way in which pain itself makes us fully human. We imagined a town that does not exist but could, and a ritual that does not exist but could: an uncanny embrace that takes away all suffering. Soon, new audiences will embrace THE HOLY BOY, and discover its terrifying consequences.”
Shudder’s Vice President of Programming Samuel Zimmerman adds:
“We were blown away by THE HOLY BOY. Paolo Strippoli crafts an eerie and provocative horror film, one that builds to an astonishing finish. We knew instantly this belonged with Shudder.”
The Holy Boy earned both Next Wave Best Director Award and the Audience Award at Fantastic Fest following its World Premiere at Venice Film Festival earlier this year. Look out
