‘Pendulum’ – First Look Features a Frightened Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Vertical has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Mark Heyman‘s (Black Swan scribe) feature debut, Pendulum, reports Deadline this morning. With that, a first look at the film has been revealed, featuring a terrified Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The film follows young couple Patrick (Gordon-Levitt) and Abigail (Phoebe Dynevor) on a journey to a new-age retreat in New Mexico, drawn by the possibility of recovering with the much-revered mystical healer Ella-Rose (Jacki Weaver) after going through a traumatic event.

Patrick is willing to do anything to help his wife but becomes distrustful of Ella-Rose even as Abigail falls under her spell. As paranoia builds, the couple must determine whether Ella-Rose’s intense spiritual practices offer genuine healing or mask a terrifying truth that threatens to consume them both.

Darren Aronofsky produced through his Protozoa outfit along with Jacob Jaffke (X, Dream Scenario) for Motel Mojave and Dave Caplan (Longlegs, The Monkey) for C2.

Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”) also stars.

Pendulum is rated R for “some strong/bloody violent content, sexuality, drug use, nudity, and language.”

Swing Pendulum when the film hits theaters on January 1, 2027.