Pop sensation Charli xcx is trading dance floors for demonic possession in what might be her most unexpected career pivot yet.
The “Brat” star will headline legendary horror director Takashi Miike’s upcoming slasher film, playing a woman overtaken by a violent Japanese spirit.
Filming begins next month in Japan, and the cast reads like a fever dream of A-list talent meeting cult horror royalty.
Here’s everything we know about this buzzworthy project that’s already generating major heat ahead of Berlin’s European Film Market.
A Girls Trip Gone Horrifically Wrong
The untitled film—currently dubbed “Untitled Kyoto”—follows three best friends reuniting in Kyoto for what should be a carefree vacation. Instead, their trip transforms into a nightmare when Katie, played by Charli xcx, becomes possessed by a tortured spirit portrayed by Japanese actress-model-singer Kiko Mizuhara.
The possession follows traditional Japanese horror conventions, promising the kind of atmospheric dread that distinguishes J-horror from Western equivalents. Joining Charli and Mizuhara are House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock, The Walking Dead icon Norman Reedus, and Tokyo Vice star Show Kasamatsu.
Charli xcx’s Creative Vision Comes to Life
This isn’t just another acting gig for the pop star. The script, written by Ross Evans and Yumiko Aoyagi, stems from an original idea conceived by Charli xcx and Miike themselves.
Charli is producing through her studio365 banner, which recently scored A24’s third-biggest limited release with The Moment. The film represents a significant creative expansion for the musician, who’s been strategically building her presence in cinema.
Producing partners include Good World Productions, Yumiko Aoyagi Productions, and OLM, with Miike’s longtime collaborator Misako Saka producing on his behalf.
Takashi Miike: Master of Transgressive Horror
With 59 features under his belt, Miike has earned his reputation as one of cinema’s most fearless provocateurs. His filmography includes cult classics that have shocked and mesmerized audiences worldwide.
Notable works include:
- Audition (1999): A slow-burn psychological horror that culminates in one of cinema’s most infamous torture sequences
- Ichi the Killer (2001): An ultraviolent yakuza film that pushed boundaries of on-screen gore
- 13 Assassins (2010): A samurai epic that premiered at Venice Film Festival
- Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011): Cannes premiere showcasing his range beyond extreme content
Miike’s singular vision combines graphic violence with transgressive storytelling, exploring horror, samurai, and yakuza genres with unflinching intensity. His involvement guarantees this won’t be standard Hollywood horror fare.
Charli’s Cinematic Expansion Continues
The Kyoto project adds to Charli xcx’s increasingly impressive film slate. She recently wrapped shooting on multiple high-profile productions that showcase her versatility beyond music.
Her upcoming projects include Daniel Goldhaber’s remake of cult horror Faces of Death, Greg Araki’s erotic thriller I Want Your Sex, and Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist. She also appears in Julia Jackman’s period fantasy 100 Nights of Hero, Romain Gavras’ satirical action film Sacrifice, and Pete Ohs’ intimate drama Erupcja.
This strategic genre-hopping mirrors musicians-turned-actors who’ve successfully transitioned by choosing distinctive, auteur-driven projects rather than conventional blockbusters.
A Cast of Rising Stars and Established Icons
Milly Alcock brings serious genre credibility after her breakout role in House of the Dragon. She’s set to play Supergirl in DC’s upcoming film and recently wrapped the lead role in dark comedy Thumb.
Norman Reedus adds gravitas and horror experience, with The Walking Dead establishing him as a genre staple. He’ll soon reprise his role in the third Boondock Saints installment.
Kiko Mizuhara, known for Attack on Titan, recently completed Eugene Kotlyarenko’s Vintage Violence opposite Cole Sprouse. Show Kasamatsu, recognized from HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice, is making his English-language feature debut in Lionsgate thriller Karoshi alongside Cynthia Erivo.
Creative Team Behind the Scenes
Screenwriter Ross Evans gained recognition for black comedy How to Save a Marriage, which sparked a seven-figure bidding war with Rob Pattinson attached. He’s scheduled to make his directorial debut this summer with DeNovo, starring Lakeith Stanfield and Keke Palmer.
Co-writer Yumiko Aoyagi ranks among Japan’s most prominent writer-producers. Her credits include DCU: Deep Crime Unit, one of Japan’s highest-rated shows, and the country’s first remake of BBC series Orphan Black.
International Sales Launch at Berlin Market
The Veterans and CAA Media Finance are launching international sales at next week’s European Film Market in Berlin. Horror films dominate this year’s marketplace, with distributors hungry for genre content that delivers both scares and star power.
The package combines multiple commercial elements: a pop star with massive youth appeal, a legendary cult director, rising genre talent, and the authentic atmosphere of Japanese locations. This combination positions the film as both an art-house curiosity and potential crossover hit.
Production begins next month in Japan, with Miike’s trademark intensity promising a possessed-possession thriller unlike anything mainstream audiences have experienced. Whether Charli xcx’s fans are prepared for Miike’s brand of horror remains to be seen—but that tension between pop accessibility and transgressive cinema might be exactly what makes this project so compelling.