Grief can push us to extremes, and the upcoming psychological thriller Ultra explores just how far one woman will go to confront her pain. Shailene Woodley, known for her role in Divergent, is set to star in this gripping film.
Written and directed by Victoria Negri, the film promises a deep dive into the human psyche. Negri, along with Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read, will produce the film for Savage Rose Films, known for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Iris Torres also joins as a producer. End Cue's Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti, along with Toby Halbrooks from Sailor Bear, will serve as executive producers.
Mister Smith Entertainment will handle international sales, introducing the film to buyers at the 2025 AFM. WME Independent will manage US sales.
But what's Ultra about? The synopsis reveals a story of profound loss and relentless self-discovery. Eve, played by Woodley, is reeling from the tragic death of her twin sister. To cope, she enters the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, a grueling 135-mile race through Death Valley, where temperatures soar to a staggering 54°C. As Eve battles the unforgiving environment and the intense physical and psychological demands of the race, she's haunted by an unknown runner in white, who relentlessly closes the gap. This ominous presence forces Eve to confront her deepest fears and discover her true strength.
Director Victoria Negri shared that the film is born from personal experience. Her father, a distance runner, was paralyzed by a stroke, losing the very thing that gave him life. Negri herself turned to ultrarunning to process her grief, completing two 100-mile races, numerous 50-milers, and many marathons. She describes Ultra as a “visceral descent into inner turmoil,” where Eve must confront her loss in the brutal landscape of Death Valley during the world’s toughest footrace, the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon.
This film sounds intense, doesn't it? Do you think the extreme conditions of the race will serve as a powerful metaphor for Eve's inner struggles? What do you think about using physical endurance as a way to process emotional pain? Let me know your thoughts!
