The Cannes film market is often where the industry’s most curious projects find their legs, and this year, the Berlin-based sales agency Media Move has picked up a title that promises to blend genre tropes with a distinct sense of dread. The film is The Unlucky, a sci-fi thriller that will feature actor Ludi Lin in both a starring and producing capacity.
Lin, who is widely recognised for his work in the Mortal Kombat and Power Rangers franchises, is shifting gears here. He has teamed up with the director Quentin Lee to bring this project to the screen. For those who track the movement of talent from action-heavy blockbusters to more contained, tension-fuelled stories, this move marks an interesting turn.
A Thanksgiving Horror Story
The premise of the film—co-written by Quentin Lee and Dennis Escobedo—is deceptively simple, echoing the classic “meet the parents” setup found in countless comedies. A young Asian Yale graduate finds himself infatuated with a woman he has recently met. Things take a turn when he accepts an invitation to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Read more: Li Jun Li Joins ‘The Night Agent’ Season 4 Cast
What begins as an attempt to make a good impression quickly devolves. The protagonist finds himself caught in an elaborate deception, discovering that the family is involved in something far more sinister and extraterrestrial than he could have imagined. It turns the familiar anxiety of social gathering into a struggle for survival.
Why Media Move Picked It Up
For sales agents, the appeal of The Unlucky lies in its ability to target a broader demographic than the typical genre film. Justyna Kronkiewicz, a sales agent at Media Move, noted that projects with Asian leads have seen a noticeable bump in popularity recently, finding audiences far beyond their traditional markets.
“I am a huge fan of the referential films and look forward to seeing the final result,” Kronkiewicz said. “Business-wise, titles featuring Asian leads have gained popularity and reached audiences way beyond their core demographics, so combining that with smart, fun genre elements is something to get excited about.”
Production Plans
Production is set to take place under Lee’s British Columbia-based banner, Margin Films. While the cameras have yet to start rolling, the team behind the project has been carefully assembled, with Jennifer Price serving as the executive producer.
Lin has been busy in the months leading up to this, including his role in the third season of the docuseries Comedy InvAsian. His episode, titled One Hand Clapping, is scheduled for a preview at the Laemmle’s Royal in May. For now, the audience will have to wait for further details on the production schedule for The Unlucky, but the project is firmly on the radar for international buyers this season.
