Dark Sky Films frames the acquisition as a discovery of a 'new voice in horror,' with EVP Greg Newman praising John Valley's vision. The label emphasizes the opportunity to share a 'nightmare of a ride' with North American audiences, positioning Valley alongside established talents like Ti West.
Insiders note the aggressive timing: Blue Finch Films is shopping the title at AFM next week, but Dark Sky moved fast to secure U.S. rights before the market fully opens. This suggests MPI Media Group is eager to replicate the library success of 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' with fresh, festival-proven IP.
Confirmed deal terms: Dark Sky Films acquired U.S. rights on Nov 4, 2026. Blue Finch Films closed Canadian rights with Vortex Media. A theatrical release is scheduled for January 2027. The library includes 'The House of the Devil', 'The Innkeepers', 'We Are Still Here', and 'Let’s Start A Cult'.
This is a clear signal that MPI Media Group is doubling down on indie horror acquisitions, betting that John Valley's SXSW buzz can translate into a strong theatrical opening in early 2027.
In a strategic move just ahead of the American Film Market, Dark Sky Films has secured U.S. rights to *American Dollhouse*, the horror thriller from writer-director John Valley. The acquisition, confirmed on November 4, 2026, marks a significant push by the genre label to capitalize on festival buzz before the title hits the broader market. Valley’s film, which had its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year, is now slated for a theatrical release in January 2027, giving Dark Sky a high-profile entry point for the new year. The deal was negotiated by Greg Newman, executive vice president of Dark Sky Films, and Mike Chapman of Blue Finch Films, the international sales agent for the project. Blue Finch has already closed the Canadian market, selling rights to Vortex Media, and is set to shop the title to other international buyers at AFM in Los Angeles next week. This rapid turnaround from festival premiere to major distribution deal highlights the competitive nature of the current indie horror landscape. Dark Sky operates under Badie and Hamza Ali’s MPI Media Group, a powerhouse in the genre space. The label’s library includes classics like *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, as well as in-house productions such as Ti West’s *The House of the Devil* and *The Innkeepers*. It also boasts horror comedies including Ted Geoghegan’s *We Are Still Here* and Ben Kitnick’s *Let’s Start A Cult*. By attaching *American Dollhouse* to this impressive roster, Dark Sky is signaling confidence in Valley’s potential to join the ranks of established horror filmmakers. *American Dollhouse* follows Sarah, a woman who inherits her childhood home only to be stalked by a neighbor whose obsession turns violent. The cast features Hailley Lauren (*My Stretch of Texas Ground*) in the lead role, alongside Kelsey Pribilski (*Man Finds Tape*), Tinus Seaux, Danielle Evon Ploeger, and Richard C. Jones. The production team includes David Axe, Samuel Butler, Shane Greb, and Roosevelt Film Lab’s Christian Sosa and Jon Wroblewski. Valley described his vision in a statement, saying, “I wanted to create a story that deconstructs the false narratives we tell ourselves about ‘home’ and ‘family,’ all within the context of a blood-soaked genre film.” He added that bringing the film to audiences with Dark Sky is “an incredible opportunity to share this nightmare of a ride with horror fans across North America.” Newman echoed this enthusiasm, noting that Valley is “a new voice in horror whose talent and vision immediately caught our attention.”
