IFC Films Acquires Dave Franco Directorial Debut, The Rental

April 9, 2020

Just over a year after the film’s announcement, IFC Films has announced that it has acquired the U.S. rights to Dave Franco (The Disaster Artist)’s directorial debut, The Rental, starring Golden Globe nominee Alison Brie (Glow) and Dan Stevens (The Call of the Wild). The studio has also debuted a series of first-look photos, which can be viewed in the gallery below!

“We’re beyond excited to partner with Dave on his directorial debut,” Arianna Bocco EVP of Acquisitions and Productions at IFC Films said. “He is a clear talent in front of and behind the camera and we are thrilled to bring this film to American audiences.”

Co-written by Franco and Joe Swanberg (You’re Next), the film follows two couples as they embark on a weekend getaway to a seemingly perfect house they’ve booked online, but what begins as a celebratory weekend for the four close friends turns into something far more sinister as secrets they’ve kept from each other are exposed and they realize they may not be alone.

In addition to Brie and Stevens, the cast of the film features Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), Sheila Vand (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Snowpiercer) and Toby Huss (Halloween). Franco is best known for his acting work on the big screen, starring in such hits as Neighbors, the Jump Street and Now You See Me franchises and indie darlings The Disaster Artist, The Little Hours and If Beale Street Could Talk.

“I’ve admired the IFC brand and their films for as long as I can remember,” Franco said. “I couldn’t be more excited about partnering with them for my directorial debut. They have such a strong track record when it comes to elevated genre films, which makes them the perfect home for The Rental.”

The Rental is produced and financed by Black Bear Pictures with Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, Teddy Schwarzman, Ben Stillman, Swanberg and Christopher Storer serving as producers and Michael Heimler and Sean Durkin attached as executive producers. IFC Films has set the film for a July 24 nationwide release.