BLUMHOUSE & PRIME VIDEO WIN RIGHTS TO SUNDANCE-WINNING HORROR FILM, ‘NANNY’

A scene from Nikyatu Jusu’s NANNY. Image courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Amazon Prime and Blumhouse Films have scored the worldwide rights to the Sundance-winning domestic horror film, NANNY, after a contentious bidding contest, reports Deadline.

The debut feature film from writer/director Nikyatu Jusu, NANNY premiered at Sundance this year to overall positive reviews, and ultimately nabbed the top Sundance Grand Jury Price, a first for a horror film at the prestigious festival.

Prime Video secured the rights with a $7 million deal, beating out other bidders that included Neon and SPC. According to the Deadline article, Blumhouse’s Jason Blum saw the movie and immediately moved to secure it as part of Blumhouse’s deal with Amazon, with an as-yet unconfirmed theatrical commitment as well.

Nikyatu Jusu. Image courtesy of Deadline.

Deadline reports: “Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum said: ‘We’re proud to have writer/director Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny as part of our slate for Amazon. It’s a gem of a horror film that combines impressive filmmaking and powerful storytelling, and is worthy of the Grand Jury Prize it was awarded at Sundance.’”

“Knowing my first feature, Nanny, is now among a roster of provocative and iconic work at Amazon is rewarding. Coupled with Blumhouse’s recognizability in the world of genre, horror specifically, I’m excited to be in the warm embrace of a team at the intersection of bold content and indie filmmaking sensibilities. My hope is that this acquisition stands as a testament to their continued bravery in ushering in unique voices,” added Jusu.

NANNY stars Anna Diop (Us) as a Sengalese immigrant nanny named Aisha, working to create a new life for herself in New York City while caring for the child of an Upper East Side Family. However, when a hidden truth is revealed, it threatens to completely shatter her American Dream. The film also stars Michelle Monaghan (Gone Baby Gone, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), Sinqua Walls (15:17 to Paris, Shark Night), Morgan Spector (Homeland, Boardwalk Empire), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool, Roots) and Rose Decker (Mare of Easttown).

Jusu’s next project is currently in the works with Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw and Universal. 

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