Karyn Kusama is joining forces with Hollywood royalty for her next feature. Nicole Kidman will topline “Destroyer,” an LA-based crime thriller directed by Kusama, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The recent Emmy winner will play an LAPD detective in the pic, which will be fully financed by 30WEST.
The film sees Kidman playing Erin Bell, “who, as a young cop, was placed undercover with a cult-like gang in the California desert with tragic results,” THR summarizes. “When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, she must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finally reckon with the demons that destroyed her past.” Phil Hay — Kusama’s husband — and Matt Manfredi penned the script. The pair also wrote the script for Kusama’s last feature, dinner party-gone-to-hell-thriller “The Invitation,” released in 2016.
Hay and Manfredi are producing with Automatik’s Fred Berger (“La La Land”).
“Phil and Matt have written one of the most compelling screenplays I’ve ever read, Nicole is at the top of her game — doing tremendously exciting work — and Karyn is one of the most assured voices working today,” said Berger. “It’s a powerful combination, sure to produce an iconic character, and I feel lucky to be in their company.”
Kidman just won an Emmy for her role in HBO’s murder mystery “Big Little Lies.” She played a lawyer turned stay-at-home mom in an abusive relationship with her husband. She won an Oscar in 2003 for “The Hours.” “Top of the Lake,” “The Beguiled,” and “Lion” are among the Australian actress’ recent credits.
Kusama’s big-screen directing credits include “Girlfight,” “Aeon Flux,” and “Jennifer’s Body.” She’s also helmed episodes of TV series such as “The L Word,” “Chicago Fire,” “Casual,” and “Halt and Catch Fire.” Kusama has signed on to direct “Breed,” an upcoming horror film for Fox about a wealthy couple who deal with nightmarish side effects 10 years after they visit an unconventional fertility clinic.