Vertical Entertainment, the global indie distributor known for conversation-starting films, has acquired North American rights to Breed of Greed, a psychological thriller from director Ralph Hemecker (Once Upon a Time). The movie opens in theaters and on VOD Friday, September 26, 2025, reflecting a release strategy designed to reach both theatergoers and at-home audiences.
At first glance, the setup seems familiar: a patriarch dies, an estranged family reunites, and a fortune is at stake. But Breed of Greed pushes beyond inheritance drama. The Wendolyn pharmaceutical dynasty, once untouchable, unravels as old rivalries erupt during the estate settlement. Wayward son Henry Wendolyn, played by Andrew Boszhardt, soon discovers their turmoil is not only human. A supernatural presence appears to be steering events, feeding on the family’s collapse.
Hemecker co-wrote the screenplay with Boszhardt and Otto Eckstein, and the trio also produced the film. Boszhardt described the team’s vision: “We wanted to make a film that was topical but also timeless. Everyone loves a good downfall story, and we tried to make one that was entertaining and fun, not preachy. We could not be more excited to have Vertical as our partner.”
The casting underscores the ambition. Gina Gershon (Bound, Face/Off) leads the ensemble with her trademark intensity, joined by Chelsea Gilligan (Star-Crossed), Madison Lewis (Alexander IRL), and Adrian Enscoe (Dickinson). Boszhardt’s triple role as writer, producer, and actor adds intimacy and weight to the family’s unraveling.
Tony Piantedosi, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at Vertical, praised the film’s balance of tones: “Ralph has done a remarkable job of balancing horror thrills with a dark sense of humor rooted in modern headlines of the privileged class. We look forward to presenting the film to North American audiences.”
The acquisition places Breed of Greed alongside Vertical’s growing slate of high-profile titles. Upcoming releases include Kristin Scott Thomas’s My Mother’s Wedding, starring Scarlett
Johansson, Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham, and Freida Pinto; Ron Howard’s Eden, fresh from TIFF 2024 with Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, and Sydney Sweeney; and SXSW breakout The Threesome, directed by Chad Hartigan and starring Zoey Deutch.
What distinguishes Breed of Greed is its fusion of supernatural suspense with sharp commentary on privilege and power. The Wendolyns’ downfall is both a family tragedy and a chilling reflection of greed magnified by forces beyond human control.
This is not a film of cheap scares. It mixes biting humor, eerie twists, and unsettling parallels to today’s world. When it premieres September 26, whether on the big screen or from your living room, Breed of Greed promises a stylish, unnerving reminder that real monsters are often closer than we think.