As the case with many films this year, Antebellum had an ever-changing release date due to theatre closures worldwide. Now it seems like the Lionsgate horror film will premiere on digital rental platforms this September 18th, forgoing a theatrical release.
The time-bending horror film, which stars Janelle Monae and sees Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz serve as the writers and directors, shifted its schedule around earlier in the year. Originally set a release in April, the film then moved to August 21st, but the on-going global health crisis has shifted the cinematic landscape.
“While the theatrical experience will always be the heart of our business, we are thrilled that we are able to seize the opportunity to match Gerard and Chris’s urgent and immediate film with a release strategy befitting this moment of extraordinary change,” said Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake. “Gerard and Chris are storytellers whose work beats with authenticity — not only will this film entertain and thrill audiences worldwide, but spark a discussion about our current world.”
Check out the final trailer here:
Directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz opened about the film’s release date, and how they feel about making a home viewing experience feel as big as possible. “While we designed Antebellum to be consumed as a communal experience in the theater, we are thrilled by the unique opportunity we have to pivot to a different kind of communal moment in our culture,” Bush and Renz said in a statement.
“As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring Antebellum to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event.”
