The 'Companion' Director's Next Horror Film Has a Reddit Origin Story
The team behind one of the most impressive horror debuts in recent memory is already gearing up for a follow-up, and the premise is just as intriguing as the viral story that inspired it.
Drew Hancock, the writer-director behind New Line Cinema's 2025 breakout Companion, has set his next project at Amazon MGM Studios. Titled Seasons, the supernatural horror film will star Lily James (Pam & Tommy, The Iron Claw) in the lead role, with James Wan and Michael Clear producing under their Atomic Monster banner alongside Companion and Backrooms producers Roy Lee and Raphael Margules.
A Reddit Story Turned Novel
Seasons traces its origins to a viral Reddit short story by writer Matt Query, initially posted under the title "My Wife and I Bought a Ranch." The thread gained enough traction to spark a seven-figure auction in July 2020, with Netflix originally landing the project. The story eventually expanded into the novel Old Country, co-authored by Matt Query and his brother Harrison Query, who now co-wrote the screenplay with Hancock.
It's a familiar path for modern Hollywood horror. Reddit's r/nosleep community has become a legitimate breeding ground for studio features, and Seasons continues that trend with a premise that feels both grounded and deeply unsettling.
What We Know About the Story
According to the initial reports, Seasons follows a couple who relocate to their dream home in rural Idaho, only to discover that "ancient spirits inhabit their valley." To survive, they must participate in "increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season."
The seasonal structure gives Hancock a natural framework for escalation. Each passing season raises the stakes, deepens the horror, and forces the couple into more extreme measures. It is easy to see why the premise attracted James Wan's Atomic Monster, a studio known for turning contained, high-concept horror into mainstream hits.
A Director on the Rise
Hancock's debut, Companion, earned a 93 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was hailed by critics as an inventive, darkly comic sci-fi thriller about a companion robot who discovers she is being manipulated by her boyfriend. The film grossed $37 million worldwide on a $10 million budget and established Hancock as a director capable of balancing genre thrills with genuine emotional stakes.
The connection to both Barbarian producer Zach Cregger and Backrooms producers Roy Lee and Raphael Margules suggests Hancock is working in an ecosystem where smart, original horror concepts get the resources they need to connect with wide audiences. His Companion follow-up will be an important test of whether he can sustain that momentum.
What It Means for Horror Fans
The Seasons announcement is good news for anyone who has grown tired of franchise extensions and legacy sequels. Here is a major studio backing an original horror concept built on a writer-director's unique voice, sourced from a piece of internet-age storytelling that went viral on its own merits.
Lily James stepping into supernatural horror is an exciting casting choice. She has proven her range across period dramas, dark comedies, and action-heavy roles, but this marks a deeper dive into the genre. Pairing her with Hancock's sharp, character-driven approach could produce something genuinely memorable.
No production timeline or release date has been announced yet, but with Atomic Monster and Amazon MGM behind it, expect Seasons to move into active development quickly.
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