As a screenwriter, Mark Heyman established his horror credentials with credits on Black Swan and The Boogeyman. He returns to the genre for his directorial debut Pendulum, which he also wrote.
The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Phoebe Dynevor as a couple who attend a new age retreat in the New Mexico desert in the hopes of healing in the wake of a traumatic event. But the retreat's charismatic leader (Jacki Weaver) may have sinister plans for them.
Anna Deavere Smith, Jena Malone and Norman Reedus also star.
"This movie is deeply personal and inspired by my family lore," says Heyman. "Shooting it in New Mexico, where I grew up and the real events took place, elevated every scene and made it all the more surreal. Add to that a cast firing on all cylinders, and you have a horror movie I'm immensely proud of and excited to unleash on audiences come the new year. What better way to ring in 2027 than with a freaky head trip?"
Pendulum is in US cinemas from January 1st, 2027. A UK/ROI release has yet to be announced.
Check out the trailer below.
The official synopsis reads:
In Mark Heyman's feature film directorial debut, married couple Patrick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Abigail (Phoebe Dynevor) journey to a new-age retreat in New Mexico, drawn by the possibility of healing after a traumatic event. Patrick is willing to do anything to help his wife, but becomes distrustful of the retreat’s enigmatic leader (Jacki Weaver) even as Abigail falls under her spell. As paranoia builds, the couple must determine if the group’s spiritual practices offer genuine healing – or mask a terrifying truth that threatens to consume them both.