‘Purgatory’: J.K. Simmons, Abby Elliott, John Reynolds & More Star In ’80s-Set Coming-Of-Age Dramedy From Lindsay Lanzillotta

Lindsay Lanzillotta, who makes a feature directorial debut with the coming-of-age dramedy “Purgatory,“ has wrapped filming in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. The project, with a script penned by Christine Speer, is set in the early 1980s and boasts a trio of such stars as Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”), Abby Elliott (“The Bear”), and John Reynolds (“Stranger Things”). According to the film’s production company, Brave Jayne Films.

Newcomers Ruby McGurrin, Lauren MacRae, Mary Walsh, Jack Innanen, Julianne Arrieta, Marcus Ngo, and Gemma Rosaria Rae round out the film’s cast.

READ MORE: 14 Must-See February Films: ‘Wuthering Heights,’ ‘Pillion,’ ‘Crime 101’ & More

In the pic, Simmons plays Father Malone, a confidante of McGurrin’s lead character Beatrice Gravel; Innanen portrays her school’s vice principal and her mother’s (Elliott) new love interest.

An official logline via producers:

Set in the early 1980s, the film follows thirteen-year-old Beatrice Gravel (McGurrin), whose comfortable world, family, school, and church fracture when her mother (Elliott) moves out to “self-actualize,” leaving Beatrice and her sister (MacRae) with their devastated father (Reynolds). As Beatrice doubles down on a plan to ‘fix’ her family, she barrels through bullies, friendship blowups, a make-out party, and a kleptomaniac babysitter, forcing her to decide who she wants to be when she can’t get what she wants.

Lanzillotta, Simone Kirlew, Aldo Lanzillotta, Deniz Gumustas, Mark O’Neill, and Gus Murray are set as producers on “Purgatory” alongside an executive producer team that features Ryan Horton, Elliott, Tai Truesdell, and William Patterson.

“Beatrice Gravel is just so much fun. At my core, I’m still that teenage girl watching my parents’ divorce, and when I read Christine’s heartfelt and funny take on Beatrice’s experience, it felt brutally honest, real, and oddly comforting. I’ve always loved films that can entertain a wide audience while taking on hard subjects with heart and humor, and that’s what pulled me back to the ’80s to tell this story as a first-time director,” Lanzillotta said in an official statement concerning making her directing debut on “Purgatory.”

Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.

It’s currently unclear when and where audiences will get their chance to watch “Purgatory.” Stay tuned on that front as we imagine there will be an update in the near future, given some of the high-profile acting talent attached.