It’s the newest journey into the dark side of religious retreats.
Vertical will release PENDULUM to theaters nationwide January 1, 2027. The directorial debut of BLACK SWAN co-scripter Mark Heyman, with SWAN director Darren Aronofsky as a producer, it stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Phoebe Dynevor, Anna Deavere Smith, Jena Malone, Norman Reedus and Jacki Weaver. The synopsis: “Married couple Patrick [Gordon-Levitt] and Abigail [Dynevor] journey to a new-age retreat in New Mexico, drawn by the possibility of healing after a traumatic event. Patrick is willing to do anything to help his wife, but becomes distrustful of the retreat’s enigmatic leader [Weaver] even as Abigail falls under her spell. As paranoia builds, the couple must determine if the group’s spiritual practices offer genuine healing—or mask a terrifying truth that threatens to consume them both.”
“This movie is deeply personal and inspired by my family lore,” says writer/director Heyman. “Shooting it in New Mexico, where I grew up and the real events took place, elevated every scene and made it all the more surreal. Add to that a cast firing on all cylinders, and you have a horror movie I’m immensely proud of and excited to unleash on audiences come the new year. What better way to ring in 2027 than with a freaky head trip?”
