Charli XCX to Star in New Takashi Miike Horror Film

Cast, Plot &Production Details

Charli XCX at the Wuthering Height London Premiere.

Charli XCX is stepping into the world of horror with a striking new film project that marks one of the most ambitious turns of her career so far. The pop innovator is set to star in and produce a new feature directed by legendary Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, with production scheduled to begin in Japan.

The film, currently untitled, is described as a slasher rooted in classic Japanese horror traditions. The story follows three lifelong friends who reunite for a trip to Kyoto, hoping for an escape from their everyday lives. What begins as a nostalgic getaway quickly unravels into something far more sinister, as supernatural forces emerge and the group’s bond is tested in terrifying ways.

Charli XCX will play Katie, a character whose experience becomes especially harrowing when she is possessed by a violent, tortured spirit. The role represents a dramatic shift from her musical persona and places her at the centre of the film’s psychological and physical horror.

The cast brings together a notable mix of international talent. Milly Alcock, widely recognized for her breakout performance in House of the Dragon, stars alongside Norman Reedus, whose long history in genre television makes him a natural fit for the project’s darker tone. Japanese actor and model Kiko Mizuhara appears as the tormented spirit at the heart of the possession, while Show Kasamatsu, known for his work in Tokyo Vice, rounds out the ensemble.

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Behind the scenes, the script is co-written by Ross Evans and Yumiko Aoyagi, blending Western and Japanese storytelling sensibilities. Charli XCX is producing through her company Studio365, further cementing her role as a creative force beyond music. International sales are being handled ahead of the film’s official market debut, signalling strong early interest.

The collaboration with Miike – a filmmaker celebrated for his provocative and uncompromising style — suggests the film will lean heavily into unsettling imagery and emotional intensity. For Charli XCX, the project represents another step in her ongoing evolution as an artist willing to cross boundaries between mediums, genres, and cultures.

With filming set in Kyoto and a cast drawn from across the global entertainment landscape, the film stands as a bold fusion of pop stardom and cult horror cinema, positioning Charli XCX at the centre of one of the most intriguing genre projects currently in development.




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About the Author

Megan Hilborne

Author

Megan is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema. Some of her writing credits include an interview with Academy Award winner Sean Baker and Time’s 2025 Most Influential People inductee Mo Abudu.

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