Thescreescore – Rising star Mikey Madison, acclaimed for her recent dramatic performances, is set to plunge back into the chilling depths of horror with a highly anticipated and unconventional adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Masque of the Red Death." Following memorable appearances in genre hits like 2022’s Scream and a voice role in The Addams Family (2019), alongside recent critical darlings such as Anora, Madison is now preparing to immerse audiences in A24’s unique vision of Poe’s gothic masterpiece.
Despite principal photography commencing in February 2026, A24 has maintained a veil of secrecy around the official release date for this forthcoming horror venture. However, during an exclusive conversation with Liam Crowley of thescreescore.com while promoting her latest film, The Social Reckoning, Madison offered a tantalizing update. She confirmed that "The Masque of the Red Death" is slated for a 2027 debut. While specific timing within the year remains undisclosed, the acclaimed actress provided intriguing insights into both her dual roles and the distinct tonal landscape of this Edgar Allan Poe cinematic reimagining.
When asked about the highly anticipated Poe adaptation, Madison enthusiastically responded, "I think next year, definitely. I’m so excited for people to see that." She elaborated on the film’s singular nature, stating, "Again, it’s something completely different than I’ve ever done before in terms of this medieval time period, and the tone is beyond anything I have ever read before. I don’t even know if I quite understand it yet, but it’s at times very slapstick and very dramatic and interesting and weird." Madison also revealed a fascinating detail about her involvement: "I play two characters, and it was fun. It was really fun and crazy."
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Diverging from contemporary interpretations, Madison explicitly confirmed the film’s setting in the medieval era, a choice that resonates with the historically ambiguous backdrop of Poe’s original 1842 short story. This marks a significant departure for Madison, representing her earliest period piece to date, contrasting with her previous roles in the 1960s-set Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the series Lady in the Lake. Her description of the film’s tone as "beyond anything [she has] ever read before" underscores its boldly unconventional approach to Poe’s classic gothic horror. Intriguingly, this A24 production promises a unique blend of dark gothic atmosphere with elements of slapstick humor, creating a narrative Madison enthusiastically characterized as "fun," "crazy," and "weird."
Poe’s seminal tale revolves around Prince Prospero’s desperate attempt to evade a devastating plague, the "Red Death," by retreating into the fortified sanctuary of his castle with a select group of aristocrats. This enduring horror narrative has inspired countless adaptations over the decades, perhaps most famously the iconic 1964 film starring Vincent Price.
Further expanding on her involvement, the star of The Social Reckoning revealed her portrayal of not one, but two characters in the film – rumored to be long-separated twin sisters whose paths converge amid the escalating turmoil within the castle. While Madison’s specific character arcs and further details for the ensemble remain closely guarded, she joins a distinguished cast that includes Léa Seydoux, Franz Rogowski, and Benedict Wong.
Guiding this ambitious project is Charlie Polinger, who not only penned the screenplay but also takes the directorial reins. Polinger’s previous work includes the 2025 thriller, The Plague, hinting at a thematic familiarity with unsettling narratives.
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