Run Sweetheart Run star Ella Balinska to lead apocalypse horror film Monsters

After captivating audiences in Run Sweetheart Run, Ella Balinska is stepping into the eerie world of horror once again as she takes the lead in the upcoming apocalyptic horror film Monsters. Like in Run Sweetheart Run, she'll find herself once again on the run from a terrifying threat.

Glenise Mullins, known for writing for TV shows such as Star Trek: Discovery, Surface, The Continental, Outer Range and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, wrote the script and will be directing. The cameras are reportedly set to start rolling sometime in January 2025.

Additionally, Tea Shop Productions' James Harris and Mark Lane will produce the horror flick alongside David Whitney.

Monsters follows a desperate mother as she strives to guide her two young daughters to safety over 20 miles of harsh terrain in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world swarming with relentless, zombie-like creatures. Balinska will play the mother. Her character's name is unknown, though. No one else has been cast in this movie yet besides Balinska. We'll return to share other cast additions as they are announced.

As mentioned earlier, Balinska is known for starring in the supernatural horror film Run Sweetheart Run. She also starred in the leading role of Jade Wesker in the short-lived Netflix action horror series Resident Evil. You might even recognize her from her role as Jane Kano in the action comedy film Charlie's Angels. Her most recent acting gig was starring in the thriller Skincare. Other than Monsters, we'll see her next in the romance film Marked Men, which is set for an early 2025 release.

According to Deadline, Voltage Pictures has acquired the worldwide rights to Monsters and will kick off global sales for it at the upcoming American Film Market taking place in November.

Here's what the CEO of Voltage Pictures had to say about working together with Mullins and Balinska on this horror film via Deadline:

"We are thrilled to collaborate with such exceptional talent. Ella brings a unique blend of intensity and vulnerability to her roles, making her the perfect fit for this emotionally charged story. Glenise, with her remarkable storytelling expertise, has crafted a haunting vision that will captivate audiences worldwide. We couldn’t be more excited to bring their combined talents to the screen with Monsters."

- Nicolas Chartier

In a statement to Deadline, Mullins also expressed her excitement about getting the chance to bring her work to life.

"Monsters is a deeply personal story for me as a mother. It’s not just a harrowing tale of survival but an exploration of the raw, instinctual drive to protect those you love at any cost. Its themes are universal — love, sacrifice, and the enduring hope that fuels us, even in the face of overwhelming darkness."

- Glenise Mullins