Imagine running for your life, not just from physical exhaustion, but from the haunting echoes of grief itself. That's the chilling premise of the upcoming psychological thriller, 'Ultra,' starring the incredibly talented Shailene Woodley.
Woodley, known for her captivating performances in the 'Divergent' series, 'The Fault in Our Stars,' and the Emmy-winning 'Big Little Lies,' is set to take on the role of Eve. Eve is an ultramarathon runner grappling with the tragic loss of her twin sister. To process her grief, she throws herself into the most brutal race imaginable: The Badwater 135 Ultramarathon.
This isn't your average jog in the park. The Badwater 135 is a grueling 135-mile race through the scorching Death Valley. Think blistering heat, unforgiving terrain, and pushing the human body to its absolute limit. But here's where it gets controversial... Is pushing oneself to such extremes a healthy way to deal with grief, or a form of self-punishment?
As Eve battles the physical and mental demons of the race, she begins to notice something even more disturbing: she's being relentlessly pursued by an unidentified runner clad entirely in white. Who is this mysterious figure gaining on her, and what are their intentions? Is it a figment of her exhausted mind, a manifestation of her grief, or something far more sinister?
'Ultra' is the brainchild of writer/director Victoria Negri, who brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the project. Negri is not just a filmmaker; she's also an experienced long-distance runner herself, having directed the ultramarathon documentary short 'Personal Best.' And this is the part most people miss... Her personal connection to the world of ultramarathons lends an authenticity and rawness to the story that few other filmmakers could achieve.
Negri's connection goes even deeper. "My father was a distance runner, left paralyzed by a stroke. Running, the thing that gave him life, was taken from him. He suffered, and finally succumbed," Negri shared in a statement. "While finding my emotional footing, I grew to become an ultrarunner, since completing two 100-mile races, numerous 50 milers and many marathons. It’s through testing my limits in each of these epic races that I process loss — physical pain being the greatest metaphor for the emotional. Although my grief is always with me, I’ve learned I’m strong enough to handle it, to handle anything. I wrote Ultra from this intense personal journey, using running as the cinematic vehicle to depict the ways in which we process grief — whether we carry it with us by our side, or see it in the rearview mirror, we’re never able to outrun its lingering presence.”
Mister Smith Entertainment is handling the international sales for 'Ultra,' and they'll be presenting the project to potential buyers at the American Film Market in Los Angeles next week. WME Independent will be managing the US sales.
The film boasts a talented production team, including Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read of Savage Rose Films (known for their work on 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' and 'American Honey') and Iris Torres ('In Dubious Battle'). Executive producers include Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti for End Cue ('The History Of Sound'), and Toby Halbrooks for Sailor Bear ('The Green Knight,' 'A Ghost Story').
Most recently, Woodley starred in Potsy Poncirol’s action-thriller 'Motor City' alongside Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster, and Pablo Schreiber.
Shailene Woodley is represented by CAA, Range Media Partners, and Shelter PR. Victoria Negri is represented by Entertainment 360.
'Ultra' promises to be a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores the depths of grief, the limits of human endurance, and the terrifying unknown that lurks within ourselves. What do you think? Can extreme physical challenges truly help us confront and overcome emotional trauma, or are we just masking the pain? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
