‘Altar’ By Egor Abramenko.

In June, A24 unveiled it’s next nightmare — “Altar”. The studio is teaming up with Chernin Entertainment and “Sputnik” director Egor Abramenko. The film stars Kyle MacLachlan and January Jones. It was written by Will Soodik (Westworld) and based on a short story by Philip Fracassi. A24 will handle global distribution.

Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks) and January Jones (Mad Men) lead the film. Lily Collias (Good One), David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) and newcomer Hudson Behling round out the cast.

Plot details are being kept close to the vest, but the project is described as a horror film that follows the summer of a young boy, forced to grow up faster than he ever imagined.

Hailing from Russia, Abramenko is an award-winning director of commercials and music videos, working with brands including Google, BMW and Samsung.

His first feature film, 2020’s sci-fi horror “Sputnik”, was supposed to have it’s world premiere at Tribeca Festival, followed by a wide release in Russia via Sony, before the pandemic forced a change of plans. “Sputnik” was a very well-made and underappreciated horror film that more people should see.

The script is based on a short story by Philip Fracassi. Fracassi is a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of horror and sci-fi. “Altar” marks the second of his stories optioned for feature adaptation following “Death, My Old Friend”, which Deadline reported had been picked up by director Christopher Riggert.

More updates for the film will come in the following months.