Karen Gillan Comedy ‘Late Bloomers’ Acquired By Vertical

EXCLUSIVE: Lisa Steen‘s debut feature Late Bloomers, starring Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), is the latest starry festival indie to have secured North American distribution through Vertical.

Other recent pickups for Vertical include the Sundance genre-bender Your Monster starring Melissa Barrera, true crime doc The Speedway Murders, Brittany Snow’s SXSW-premiering directorial debut Parachute, and the Zoe Saldaña thriller The Absence of Eden co-acquired with Roadside Attractions, to name just a few.

Specifics as to the release plan for Late Bloomers haven’t been disclosed.

World premiering at SXSW 2023, the film centers on Louise (Gillan), an aimless and recently single 28-year-old Brooklynite, who drunkenly falls while stalking her ex and breaks her hip. This lands her in a physical therapy ward full of people twice her age. There, she meets Antonina (Margaret Sophie Stein), a cranky elderly Polish woman, who speaks no English. Through circumstances beyond her control, Louise takes a job caring for Antonina and neither woman loves the arrangement. But it is time for Louise to finally take responsibility for herself — we all have to grow up sometime.

Written by Anna Greenfield, the flick is produced by Alexandra Barreto and Taylor Feltner for We’re Doin’ Great and Sam Bisbee for Park Pictures. Exec producers include Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Lance Acord, Cody Ryder, Wendy Neu, Franklin Carson, Robina Riccitiello, Emma Pompetti, Tegan Acton, Hallee Adelman, Ivy Herman, David Bernon, Paul Bernon, Sam Slater, Marc Iserlis, Ng Say Yong, Anthony Eu, Greg Beauchamp, and Carter Collins.

“Lisa has crafted a film that is both extremely funny and heartfelt, with characters who are full of wisdom and flaws in equal measure, showcasing the different paths people must take to reach adulthood…whether they like it or not,” stated Vertical’s SVP of Acquisitions, Tony Piantedosi. “Audiences will fall in love with Louise and Antonina’s odd couple chemistry.”

Added Steen, “We are thrilled that Late Bloomers has found a home with Vertical. This partnership is a perfect way to celebrate all of the love and hard work that went into making this film. The story is based on Anna’s personal experiences and being able to share it with the world means so much to us. We can’t wait for audiences to experience Louise and Antonina in all of their chaotic glory.”

Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey and Piantedosi negotiated the North American deal for Late Bloomers with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of We’re Doin’ Great and Park Pictures.