EXCLUSIVE: Wagner Entertainment is teaming with Killer Films on a trio of female-directed elevated thrillers that blend distinctive style with broad commercial appeal. The inaugural slate, set to go into production in 2026, will feature three filmmaker-driven thrillers from Tyler-Marie Evans, Roxy Sophie Sorkin, and Emily Alyn Lind.
This partnership is the first multi-picture slate between the two companies and will unite Wagner’s commercial eye and financial backing with Killer’s award-winning legacy of auteur-driven cinema.
“Christine and Killer Films have been pioneers in independent filmmaking for decades, continuing to break barriers and tell compelling, thought-provoking stories,” said Jordan Wagner, CEO of Wagner Entertainment. “Their ability to consistently produce acclaimed, award-winning movies speaks for itself, and getting to partner with them on this slate makes it even more exciting. Together, we’re championing bold, unforgettable stories and the next generation of visionary filmmakers redefining where cinema is headed.”
Evans, who recently teamed with Wagner and Vachon on Pretty Babies, will write and direct Girls in London, 1999, an erotic thriller set against the faded opulence of late-90’s London. Described as a hypnotic blend of Eyes Wide Shut and Basic Instinct, the film follows a woman who flees Los Angeles after a breakup and reinvents herself as a theater director in London, only to be drawn into the city’s underground sex clubs — just as a string of murders begins. Evans, a rising writer-director known for her provocative storytelling and fearless exploration of female psychology, continues her fascination with obsession and self-reinvention in what is poised to be her most ambitious work yet.
Sorkin, whose shorts have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, and Beyond Fest, will make her feature debut with Hot Year, a stylized coming-of-age thriller that fuses true crime, friendship, and vengeance. Sorkin has quickly established herself as a fresh and distinctive voice, blending pop sensibility with emotional honesty. Hot Year is an irreverent revenge thriller set during an unusually sweltering summer in a small town nestled in the damp forests of the Pacific Northwest. Against a backdrop of ecological decay and adolescent unrest, the film explores the evolving dynamic between two childhood friends, Jack and Quinn, as they drift through a season marked by rebellion, discomfort, and the loss of innocence. Hot Year marks her transition to feature filmmaking, showcasing her signature mix of youthful energy, dark humor, and cinematic intensity. Sorkin is repped by Entertainment 360, UTA, and Ziffren.
Lind will make her feature directorial debut with Where Are They Now, a psychological thriller set in 2006 – the golden age of children’s television. Inside a cult-like compound built for child stars, the race for a coveted sitcom role takes a dark turn when the leading candidate disappears. Every child is a suspect. Based on a true story. Lind is repped by CAA, Brillstein, and attorney Dave Feldman.
“Jordan has proven to be deeply committed to championing new voices and telling powerful stories,” said Christine Vachon. “He knows how to bring together a top-tier team, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with him and Wagner Entertainment on this compelling slate for next year.”
Founded by Vachon and Pam Koffler, Killer Films is a New York–based banner has defined the landscape of American indie cinema, producing such landmark films as Boys Don’t Cry, Far From Heaven, Carol, Still Alice, I’m Not There, May December, Past Lives, and the recent hit The Materialist. Known for discovering and nurturing singular voices, Killer has long championed filmmakers who blur the lines between art and commerce—from Todd Haynes and Kimberly Peirce to Kelly Reichardt—while earning multiple Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Spirit Awards along the way. Vachon is represented by Bethany Haynes at Sloss Law.
Wagner has produced or financed more than 35 films across a wide range of budgets and genres, including Flight Risk starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Mel Gibson, and Hypnotic starring Ben Affleck and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Known for bridging the worlds of independent and studio filmmaking, Wagner has built a reputation for pairing distinctive creative vision with strong commercial instincts. His upcoming slate signals a deliberate shift toward bold, style-forward projects—spotlighting emerging filmmakers whose unique voices merge artistic ambition with broad, global market appeal. Wagner is represented by Zev Raben and Michelle Chang at Ramo Law.
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