Vertical Entertainment have acquired supernatural thriller “The Whistler” for North America after inking a deal with Hideout Pictures.

Starring Diane Guerrero (“Orange Is The New Black”) and Juan Pablo Raba (“Narcos”), the film follows a pair of grieving parents as they confront a group of squatters on a remote Venezuelan farm.

Claiming they can summon spirits, the squatters indulge tormented mother Nicole (Guerrero) in her desire to make contact with her deceased daughter. In the process, Nicole unintentionally unleashes a terrifyingly malign spirit who lures victims to their deaths with a haunting whistle. Raba plays Nicole’s husband, Sebastian.

The spirit is based on Venezuelan legend El Silbón. Diego Velasco directed the film, which was shot on location in Colombia. Story is by Nacho Palacios with Carolina Paiz (“The Night Manager”) and Diego Velasco & Esteban Orozco writing the screenplay.

“‘The Whistler’ is a story of grief, longing, and the ghosts that haunt us, inspired by Venezuela’s folklore,” said Velasco. “I’m thrilled Vertical is bringing it to U.S. audiences. I can’t wait for viewers to step onto the farm and feel the fear.”

“The Whistler” is getting a day and date release in addition to a limited theatrical run on April 17 followed by VOD. It is set to premiere at Brazil’s leading genre film festival Fantaspoa in Brazil on April 11.

Verve Talent and Literary Agency’s Amy Beecroft negotiated the deal on behalf of Hideout with Vertical’s Tony Piantedosion.

Producers retaining distribution rights in Latin America where they will work with regional partners directly on the theatrical rollout. Film Mode Entertainment is repping sales outside of North and South America after film sales kicked off at Berlinale in February.

“The Whistler” is produced by Margaret Miller, Trevor O’Neil and Velasco. It is a Hideout Pictures Production in association with Open Studios and 64A Films.

Source: Variety