Shudder Acquires Menacing Horror Fable “The Holy Boy” Following Award-Winning Premiere At Fantastic Fest

Download Hi-Res StillsHERE

NEW YORK, NY - September 30, 2025 - Shudder announced today that they have acquired the North American, UK, and Irish rights to Paolo Strippoli's menacing horror fable THE HOLY BOY. The film celebrated its world premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival before making its North American bow at Fantastic Fest, where it earned both the Next Wave Best Director Award and the coveted Audience Award. The film stars Michele Riondino alongside standout first-time actor Giulio Feltri, and is produced by Laura Paolucci, Domenico Procacci, Stefano Sardo, and Ines Vasiljevic. Shudder will debut THE HOLY BOY in 2026.

THE HOLY BOY follows Sergio, a teacher tormented by his past who is transferred to Remis, a secluded village known as the happiest town in Italy. But Sergio soon discovers that behind the town's joyful facade lies a disturbing secret: Each week, the villagers gather to hug Matteo, an introverted fifteen-year-old whose embrace can free one of all pain and sorrow. As Sergio uncovers that the village's devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community's vengeful nature.

Paolo Strippoli is an Italian filmmaker. In 2019, he won the Franco Solinas Award for Best Screenplay with the film L'ANGELO INFELICE, written with Jacopo del Giudice and Milo Tissone. In 2020, he directed the Netflix original film A CLASSIC HORROR STORY with Roberto De Feo, winning Best Director at the 67th Taormina Film Fest. In 2022, his second feature film, the psychological horror PIOVE, was released, competing at the Sitges Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, and Alice Nella Città. THE HOLY BOY (La valle dei sorrisi), marks his third feature film.

"Shudder is a guiding light in visionary genre cinema, and I am beyond thrilled they will bring THE HOLY BOY to a wider, passionate audience," said director Paolo Strippoli. "The film explores our relationship with pain-the shortcuts we take to avoid it, and the way in which pain itself makes us fully human. We imagined a town that does not exist but could, and a ritual that does not exist but could: an uncanny embrace that takes away all suffering. Soon, new audiences will embrace THE HOLY BOY, and discover its terrifying consequences."

Shudder's Senior Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions Samuel Zimmerman commented, "We were blown away by THE HOLY BOY. Paolo Strippoli crafts an eerie and provocative horror film, one that builds to an astonishing finish. We knew instantly this belonged with Shudder."

About Shudder

Shudder is the leading curatorial voice and cultural destination for genre entertainment, delivering an unparalleled selection of horror, thrillers, and the supernatural. With an ever-expanding library of films, TV series, and exclusive Originals, Shudder is accessible across most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Shudder releases approximately thirty films per year, and has redefined genre streaming with a slate of groundbreaking and critically acclaimed titles, including Rob Savage's HOST, Jayro Bustamante's Golden Globe-nominated LA LLORONA, Phil Tippett's MAD GOD, Coralie Fargeat's REVENGE, Kyle Edward Ball's SKINAMARINK, Christian Tafdrup's SPEAK NO EVIL, Chloe Okuno's WATCHER, Demián Rugna's WHEN EVIL LURKS, and the latest installments in the V/H/S franchise. Shudder also boasts fan-favorite series such as the two-time Emmy Award-nominated THE BOULET BROTHERS' DRAGULA, Mark Duplass' THE CREEP TAPES, Greg Nicotero's CREEPSHOW, and THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS. Notable recent releases include Chris Nash's IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Colin and Cameron Cairnes' LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Damian McCarthy's ODDITY, and Emilie Blichfeldt's THE UGLY STEPSISTER.

Press Contacts:

Judy Woloshen | [email protected]

Guillermo Restrepo | [email protected]