Need a twisty, genre-bending thriller this holiday season? Look no further than “Eileen,” William Oldroyd‘s first feature since 2016’s “Lady Macbeth.” And Oldroyd could do much worse for his latest film than adapting the debut novel of Ottessa Moshfegh, one of the premier female novelists in contemporary American literature.
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Set in 1960s New England, “Eileen” follows Thomasin McKenzie‘s young secretary at a juvenile detention facility as she falls under the dangerous spell of an alluring female colleague.
Here’s an official synopsis for “Eileen,” courtesy of NEON:
Set during a bitter 1964 Massachusetts winter, young secretary Eileen becomes enchanted by the glamorous new counselor at the prison where she works. Their budding friendship takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret – throwing Eileen onto a sinister path.
“Eileen” also stars Shea Whigham, Marin Ireland, Owen Teague, and Jefferson White. Tonye Patano and Siobhan Fallon-Hogan round out the main cast.
Oldroyd directs a script co-written by Moshfegh and Luke Goebel. Oldroyd, Moshfegh, and Goebel also co-produced “Eileen” with Anthony Bregman, Stefanie Azpiazu, and Peter Cron.
“Eileen” had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Read The Playlist’s review of the film from the festival here.
“Eileen” hits NYC and LA theaters on December 1, then opens everywhere on December 8. Watch a trailer for the film below.
