Forbidden Fruits
| Forbidden Fruits | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Meredith Alloway |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die by Lily Houghton |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Karim Hussain |
| Edited by | Hanna Park |
| Music by | Anna Drubich |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 104 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Forbidden Fruits is a 2026 American comedy horror film starring Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Chamberlain, and Gabrielle Union. It is directed by Meredith Alloway from a screenplay she co-wrote with Lily Houghton, and is based on Houghton's stage play Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
The film had its world premiere at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 16, 2026, before being released by Independent Film Company and Shudder on March 27, 2026.
Premise
Free Eden employee Apple secretly runs a witchy femme cult in the basement of the mall store after hours – with fellow "fruits" Cherry and Fig. But when new hire Pumpkin challenges their performative sisterhood, the women are forced to face their own poisons or succumb to a bloody fate.[2]
Cast
- Lili Reinhart as Apple
- Lola Tung as Pumpkin
- Victoria Pedretti as Cherry
- Alexandra Shipp as Fig
- Emma Chamberlain as Pickle
- Gabrielle Union as Sharon
Production
The film is directed by Meredith Alloway, in her feature-length debut, which she co-wrote with Lily Houghton, and adapted from Houghton's play Of the Women Came the Beginning of Sin, and Through Her We All Die.[3] It is produced by Mason Novick, Diablo Cody, Trent Hubbard, and Mary Anne Waterhouse through MXN Entertainment.[4] The script was featured on the 2023 Black List of the "most liked" screenplays currently not in production.[5]
The cast is led by Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp and Emma Chamberlain, in her acting debut. Principal photography began in Toronto in March 2025.[6][7] In April 2025, Gabrielle Union joined the cast.[8]
Release
Forbidden Fruits premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 16, 2026, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 27, 2026.[9][10]
References
- ^ "Forbidden Fruits [14A]". British Columbia Film Classification Office (Consumer Protection BC). February 27, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ "Shudder Acquires Witchy Horror FORBIDDEN FRUITS With Lili Reinhart And Victoria Pedretti". Fangoria. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "NYC Review: 'Of the woman came the beginning of sin and through her we all die'". OnStage Blog. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
at the Medicine Show Theatre...presented by Normal Ave
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 13, 2025). "Diablo Cody Producing Meredith Alloway's Feature Directorial Debut 'Forbidden Fruits' Based On Lily Houghton Play". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (December 11, 2023). "2023 Black List Includes Patsy Cline, FTX and Tom Hanks Doppelganger Scripts". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Gomez, Dessi; Grobar, Matt (March 18, 2025). "IFC Films And Shudder Aquire [sic] 'Forbidden Fruits' Starring Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp And Emma Chamberlain". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Gittins, Susan (March 18, 2025). "Forbidden Fruits with Lili Reinhart & More as Millennial Moms Filming in Toronto". hollywoodnorthbuzz.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 7, 2025). "Gabrielle Union Joins Meredith Alloway's 'Forbidden Fruits'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Lang, Brent (January 14, 2026). "SXSW 2026 Lineup Includes 'Ready or Not 2,' David E. Kelley's 'Margo's Got Money Troubles'". Variety. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (February 13, 2026). "'Forbidden Fruits' Trailer: Mercury Is Very Much in Retrograde in This Sparkly, Biting Mall-Set Cult Horror Comedy". IndieWire. Retrieved February 14, 2026.