Twisted (2026 film)
| Twisted | |
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Release poster | |
| Directed by | Darren Lynn Bousman |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bella Gonzales |
| Edited by | Zeborah Tidwell |
| Music by | Mark Sayfritz |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Twisted is a 2026 American horror thriller film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and written by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer. It stars Djimon Hounsou, Lauren LaVera, Mia Healey, Gina Philips, Neal McDonough, and Alicia Witt. The film was released on digital VOD by Republic Pictures on February 6, 2026.
Premise
Two millennials scam unsuspecting tenants by renting out expensive New York City apartments that they do not actually own. The scheme works until they encounter an apartment owner with a hidden agenda, who turns the tables on them.[2]
Cast
- Djimon Hounsou as Dr. Robert Kezian
- Lauren LaVera as Paloma Joia
- Mia Healey as Smith
- Gina Philips as Detective Diane Warricker
- Alicia Witt as Rebecca Kezian
- Neal McDonough as Bradshaw
- Jacob Lukas Anderson as Detective Crace
- Renes Rivera as "Lenny"
- David Call as Tad Terabant
- Victor Del Rio as Zac
- Michael Lombardi as Greg
Production
In October 2024, it was reported that Djimon Hounsou, Lauren LaVera, and Mia Healey were cast in leading roles in the film, then titled The Monster.[3][4] Alicia Witt, Neal McDonough, Gina Philips, Jacob Lukas Anderson, Victor Del Rio, Michael Lombardi and David Call were later cast.[5] Darren Lynn Bousman signed on to direct from a script by James Greer and Jonathan Bernstein. Lee Nelson and David Tish from Envision Media Arts, and Mark Burg of Twisted Pictures produced the film.[2]
Principal photography began in November 2024 for five weeks, taking place in Danbury and New Haven, Connecticut.[6]
Release
In December 2024, Republic Pictures acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film.[5] Its original title, The Monster was changed to Twisted,[7] and it was released on digital VOD on February 6, 2026.[8]
Reception
Daniel Kurland of Bloody Disgusting gave the film a rating of two out of five, writing: "There are pieces of a decent movie in Twisted, but it's cobbled together in such a messy and disruptive manner. Sweeping tonal and perspective shifts create an unnatural atmosphere that attempts to do too much with too little".[9] Karina Adelgaard of Heaven of Horror also rated it two out of five and she wrote: "Twisted is a new horror-thriller from Darren Lynn Bousman, who still seems to believe he's making a Saw movie. He certainly uses the exact same shots and cuts as he did for those. Other than that, the storyline and pacing are quite unimpressive, and the acting suffers from this as well".[10]
Josh Korngut of Dread Central gave the film a rating of three out of five: "Twisted hails from an all-star team of talent who elevate what could have been disposable gore schlock neatly above its pay grade".[11]
References
- ^ "Twisted (18)". British Board of Film Classification. October 3, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (October 18, 2024). "Djimon Hounsou To Star In Horror-Thriller The Monster For Saw Producer Mark Burg & Director Darren Lynn Bousman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 23, 2024). "Terrifier Breakout Lauren LaVera To Star Opposite Djimon Hounsou In The Monster From Saw Duo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (November 1, 2024). "Mia Healey Joins Djimon Hounsou In The Monster". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (December 4, 2024). "Paramount's Republic Pictures Takes WW Rights To The Monster With Djimon Hounsou, Lauren LaVera, Mia Healey; Gina Philips & Rapper Prof Among Cast To Join". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Lyle, Kaitlin (October 22, 2024). "Horror-thriller movie from makers of Saw to film in Danbury, New Haven this fall". The News-Times. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ DaRosa, Andrew (January 21, 2026). "Trailer releases for Connecticut-shot horror movie from 'Saw' franchise director". The Middletown Press. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (January 9, 2026). "Darren Lynn Bousman's 'Twisted' Starring Lauren LaVera Set for February Release". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ Kurland, Daniel (February 6, 2026). "Twisted Is A Messy And Misguided Morality Tale With No Compass [Review]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ Adelgaard, Karina (February 4, 2026). "Twisted – Movie Review (2/5)". Heaven of Horror. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ Korngut, Josh (February 9, 2026). "Twisted Review: Lauren LaVera Carries an Uneven but Compelling Thriller". Dread Central. Retrieved February 15, 2026.