Vertical has acquired the film The Long Game starring Kathleen Turner

EXCLUSIVE IVE: Vertical has acquired North American rights to neo-noir Long gamebased on the famous story by New York Times bestselling author Janet Fitch (White oleander), planning to release it theatrically and on demand in 2025.

Celebrating the directorial debut of Jace Anderson, who co-wrote the screenplay with husband Adam Gierasch, T.he’s a long game sees Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner return to the genre she burst onto the scene with Body heatalong with Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children) and newcomer Sekai Abeni.

Abeni plays Holly Sloane, who needs a break. When she meets con artist Richard Metzger (Haley) and falls in love with him, it’s not quite love at first sight, but it may be an opportunity to help her career. And all Holly has to do is trick ’80s starlet Mariah McKay (Turner), a wealthy recluse who has faded into Norma Desmond-like obscurity. But when an unlikely friendship develops between the two women, it becomes unclear where Holly’s loyalties lie and who is deceiving whom. The game soon turns deadly and, like all great noir stories, there is suspense, sex and a killer ending.

Ever Carradine (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Chris Mulkey (Underground Empire) complete the cast.

Peter Block and Corey Neal produced the film, which had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, starring Jennifer Dana (Assistant) executive producer along with Hayley. The film is produced by A Bigger Boat Productions and Black Bramford Films and was partly financed by City Boy Hands (I’ll be here, Persian version).

The writing and directing team at Anderson & Gierasch said: “We are so proud of this film and are thrilled that Vertical will release it in theaters. We hope audiences will embrace the film noir style and flair that Janet’s story demonstrates.”

Negotiating the deal with Block & Neal on behalf of the filmmakers, Vertical’s senior vice president of acquisitions Tony Piantedosi added: “Jace has created a film that both pays homage to the history of sun-drenched L.A. noir while blazing a new trail with infused with contemporary sensibility and the growing talent of Sekai Abeni alongside icons Kathleen Turner and Jackie Earle Haley. We look forward to bringing the film to audiences next year.”