‘Hyena’: David Lynch-Produced Thriller Starring Kiernan Shipka Begins Filming in 2027

It’s difficult to overstate the legacy David Lynch left behind. Throughout his career, the filmmaker consistently pushed the boundaries of cinema and television, refusing to be confined to any single genre. From Eraserhead and Blue Velvet to Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive, as well as the groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks, co-created with Mark Frost, Lynch helped redefine surreal, unsettling storytelling.

Lynch tragically passed away in January 2025, but one of the final projects he was involved with is now moving forward. The thriller Hyena, on which Lynch served as an executive producer, is scheduled to begin filming in January 2027.

According to Deadline, the film has also added Kiernan Shipka (Totally Killer, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) to its cast. She will star alongside D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), Edgar Ramírez (Borderlands), and Rosemarie DeWitt (Untamed). Production is set to take place in Spokane, Washington.

What Is ‘Hyena’ About?

Hyena follows Genevieve (Shipka), who brings her mysterious new boyfriend Alexei (Woon-A-Tai) home to meet her seemingly idyllic family. Their efforts to welcome him begin to fall apart as Alexei gradually ingratiates himself with the family, exposing long-buried secrets, desires, and hypocrisies.

As his influence spreads, Genevieve becomes the only person willing to see him for who he really is. Saving what remains of her family may ultimately require an unspeakable sacrifice.

The film will be directed by Scott Coffey, who co-wrote the screenplay with novelist Blair Mastbaum. Coffey previously appeared in Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, and the legendary filmmaker served as a mentor to him over the years.

Coffey described Hyena as a deeply personal project, explaining that its horror comes from the darker side of human nature.

“Hyena is a very personal film. I’ve always believed the most unsettling horror isn’t supernatural — it’s the moment grief and love turn feral, when we stop pretending we aren’t wild,” Coffey shared. “Kiernan Shipka, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Edgar Ramírez, and Rosemarie DeWitt will bring extraordinary depth, intelligence, and vulnerability to the movie.”

Kiernan Shipka’s Continued Run in Horror

Shipka has built an impressive résumé in the genre over the past decade. She made her feature film debut in Osgood Perkins’ The Blackcoat’s Daughter and has since appeared in horror projects including The Silence, Treat, Totally Killer, and Longlegs.

With Lynch’s involvement and a cast led by Shipka, Hyena is shaping up to be an intriguing addition to the filmmaker’s legacy, even as it moves forward without him.

Hyena is expected to begin filming in January 2027. Stay tuned for further updates.