There’s a big difference between rebirth and possession, though neither seem like a great option when it comes to supernatural thrillers. Deadline reports that Guy Pearce and A Discovery of Witches star Teresa Palmer are set to lead a new film that deals with just that, titled Poor Boy.
Directed by Jeffrey Walker and adapted from Matt Cameron’s 2009 play of the same name, Poor Boy is also set to star Ann Dowd. Per Deadline, the film’s synopsis is as follows:
After a near fatal accident on his seventh birthday, a boy awakens from his coma, only to claim to be the reincarnation of a man who died seven years ago. As the boy’s parents and the family of the deceased man wrestle with suspicion and grief, they are faced with two impossible alternatives – are they dealing with a genuine rebirth or a vengeful ghost?
Poor Boy will be produced by Lionel Hicks, Steve Jaggi, and Kylie Pascoe, with Pearce serving in a dual role both as star and songwriter for the film, arranging a score based on original music written by Crowded House’s Tim Finn.
“Having been part of Poor Boy since first performing it for the Melbourne Theatre Company in 2009, it’s a great thrill to be bringing it to the screen,” Pearce told Deadline. “Matt Cameron’s vivid and emotional story delves into long buried secrets most families would rather forget, exposing universal frailties and truths that I think will captivate audiences everywhere.”
Poor Boy will be Pearce’s first horror project since starring in David Cronenberg’s 2024 film The Shrouds, and joins a roster for the Priscilla, Queen of the Desert star that also includes Sunrise, The Seventh Day, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, and Ravenous. Palmer most recently starred in the 2022 horror film The Twin, and also starred in films like Berlin Syndrome and Warm Bodies.
No release date for Poor Boy has been announced. Stay tuned to FANGORIA for more updates as they arrive.
