# King Snake (film)
**King Snake** is an upcoming American Southern gothic supernatural horror film written and directed by [Jeff Nichols](https://www.edgepedia.org/jeff-nichols), starring [Margaret Qualley](https://www.edgepedia.org/margaret-qualley), Drew Starkey, and [Michael Shannon](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-shannon). It follows a young couple who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and confront the physical and metaphysical demons haunting the property's dark legacy.[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) • [2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director and writer | Jeff Nichols, from his own screenplay[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) |
| Genre | Southern gothic supernatural horror[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) |
| Starring | Margaret Qualley, Drew Starkey, Michael Shannon, Paul Sparks[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/) • [3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/fullcredits/) |
| Producers | Jeff Nichols, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and Sarah Green (Tri-State Pictures), in association with Range Media Partners[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) |
| Financing and sales | FilmNation Entertainment finances the film and handles worldwide sales[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) |
| U.S. distribution | Neon acquired U.S. rights in May 2026 and will release the film theatrically nationwide[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/) |
| Filming | Principal photography began in late April 2026 in Arkansas; IMDb lists filming dates of April to May 2026[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/locations/) |
| Status | Listed as post-production at IMDbPro in June 2026; a 2027 release is anticipated[5](https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/) • [11](https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2026/5/5/jeff-nichols-king-snake-lands-at-neon-sets-2027-release) |
## Plot
According to the official synopsis, King Snake "follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey) who inherit an Arkansas farm where they face real-world problems and supernatural forces, battling physical and metaphysical demons while confronting the property's dark legacy."[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/) Industry listings expand the premise: the farm is tied to a violent and possibly supernatural past, and the couple face increasingly unsettling forces that blur the line between psychological and supernatural horror as good and evil collide.[7](https://mande.net/production-listing/motion-picture/king-snake)
## Production
**Development and financing.** The project was reported in development by December 2025, with Margaret Qualley, Drew Starkey, and Michael Shannon attached alongside director and screenwriter Jeff Nichols and producers Sarah Green, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, and Jeff Nichols, and the production companies [FilmNation Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmnation-entertainment), Range Media Partners, and Tri-State Pictures.[8](https://www.movieinsider.com/m24896/king-snake) FilmNation financed the film and handled worldwide sales, with Stacey Snider and Glen Basner serving as executive producers.[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/) It is the first production under FilmNation's new Chief Creative Officer, Stacey Snider, who joined the company in December 2025.[9](https://www.productionlist.com/production/king-snake)
**Filming.** Writer-director Jeff Nichols entered production on the film in Arkansas in April 2026, with principal photography beginning late in the month.[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/) • [9](https://www.productionlist.com/production/king-snake) Filming locations listed by IMDb include [Little Rock, Arkansas](https://www.edgepedia.org/little-rock-arkansas), with filming dates from April to May 2026.[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/locations/) Nichols described the project as a further push into genre filmmaking: "My films have embraced genre in the past, but I hope to push this approach further with King Snake to create something terrifying and beautiful."[1](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/)
**Distribution.** On May 5, 2026, Neon acquired the U.S. rights from FilmNation, with a nationwide theatrical release planned and the deal negotiated in cooperation with Range Media Partners on behalf of the filmmakers.[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/) World of Reel reported that a 2027 release is being eyed, and AlloCiné lists a 2027 production year.[11](https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2026/5/5/jeff-nichols-king-snake-lands-at-neon-sets-2027-release) • [6](https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm%3D1000034544.html)
## Cast and crew
Margaret Qualley and Drew Starkey play the young couple at the center of the story, with Michael Shannon co-starring.[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/) [Paul Sparks](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-sparks) and Jennifer Pierce Mathus also appear; Mathus plays Doctor Coleman.[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/fullcredits/) The production reunites Nichols with cinematographer Adam Stone.[9](https://www.productionlist.com/production/king-snake) The credited crew includes editor Julie Monroe, production designer Chris Craine, set decorator Laura Wallgren, and costume designer Erin Benach.[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/fullcredits/)
The film marks the seventh collaboration between Nichols and Michael Shannon; Shannon has appeared in all of Nichols' feature films to date.[10](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/)
## References
1. [Jeff Nichols' Gothic Horror 'King Snake' with Margaret Qualley & Michael Shannon Enters Production, Bloody Disgusting (April 23, 2026)](https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3947775/jeff-nichols-gothic-horror-king-snake-with-margaret-qualley-michael-shannon-enters-production/)
2. [Neon Nabs Jeff Nichols' Horror Movie 'King Snake', TheWrap (May 5, 2026)](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/neon-jeff-nichols-horror-movie-king-snake/)
3. [King Snake, Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/fullcredits/)
4. [King Snake, Filming & production, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/locations/)
5. [King Snake, Production & Contact Info, IMDbPro](https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/)
6. [Jeff Nichols' 'King Snake' Acquired by Neon — Sets 2027 Release, World of Reel (May 5, 2026)](https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2026/5/5/jeff-nichols-king-snake-lands-at-neon-sets-2027-release)
6. [King Snake, Film 2027, AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm%3D1000034544.html)
7. [King Snake, Production Listing, M&E](https://mande.net/production-listing/motion-picture/king-snake)
8. [Everything You Need to Know About King Snake Movie, Movie Insider (December 7, 2025)](https://www.movieinsider.com/m24896/king-snake)
9. [King Snake, Production List, Film & Television Industry Alliance (updated April 27, 2026)](https://www.productionlist.com/production/king-snake)
10. [King Snake, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38812778/)
11. [Jeff Nichols’ ‘King Snake’ Acquired by Neon — Sets 2027 Release — World of Reel, worldofreel.com](https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2026/5/5/jeff-nichols-king-snake-lands-at-neon-sets-2027-release)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Horror films (individual works) › Supernatural horror films › 2020s supernatural horror films › Titles symbols to L*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license