Vertical Acquires Indie Neo-Noir ‘The Long Game’ Starring Kathleen Turner & Jackie Earle Haley

EXCLUSIVE: Vertical has acquired North American rights to the neo-noir The Long Game, based on the acclaimed short story by New York Times bestselling author Janet Fitch (White Oleander), slating it for release in theaters and on demand in 2025.

Marking the directorial debut of Jace Anderson, who wrote the script with husband Adam Gierasch, The Long Game sees Oscar nom Kathleen Turner return to the genre in which she burst upon the scene with Body Heat, alongside Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children), and newcomer Sekai Abenì.

Abenì plays Holly Sloan, who needs a break. When she meets and falls for grifter Richard Metzger (Haley), it’s not quite love at first sight, but perhaps an opportunity to help her career. And all Holly has to do is pull a little con on ’80s starlet Mariah McKay (Turner), a rich recluse who has faded into a Norma Desmond-like obscurity. But when the two women strike up an unlikely friendship, it’s unclear where Holly’s loyalties lie, or who’s scamming who. The game soon turns deadly and like all great noir stories, there’s intrigue, sex and a killer ending.

Ever Carradine (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Chris Mulkey (Boardwalk Empire) round out the cast.

Peter Block & Cory Neal produced the pic, which world premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, with Jennifer Dana (The Assistant) exec producing alongside Haley. The film is a production of A Bigger Boat Productions and Black Bramford Films and was financed in part by City Boy Hands (I’ll Be Right There, The Persian Version). 

 Stated the writing and directing team of Anderson & Gierasch, “We are so proud of this film and are thrilled that Vertical will be releasing it theatrically. We hope audiences embrace the film noir style and flair that Janet’s story showcased.”

Negotiating the deal with Block & Neal on behalf of the filmmakers, Vertical’s SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi added, “Jace has crafted a film that both pays homage to the history of sun-drenched LA noir while blazing a new path with an infusion of modern sensibilities and rising talent Sekai Abeni alongside icons Kathleen Turner and Jackie Earle Haley. We look forward to unveiling the film to audiences next year.”