‘Terrifier’ Star Jenna Kanell Directs Sci-Fi Thriller ‘De Novo’ With Lilly Wachowski Producing

Jenna Kanell, best known for her role in Damien Leone‘s original Terrifier, is stepping behind the camera for the upcoming science fiction film De Novo. The project has secured a notable addition behind the scenes, with filmmaker Lilly Wachowski’s production company, Anarchists United, joining as an executive producer.

According to Deadline, Kanell wrote, directed, and stars in De Novo, which is currently in post-production.

The sci-fi thriller follows Jonah, a reclusive scientist studying fungi who, following a mysterious cosmic event, discovers that she is trapped inside a simulation powered by the very system she helped create.

Justin Chien (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Alexis Louder (Copshop), and Frank Crim (Dexter) also star.

Jenna Kanell Explains the Sci-Fi Concept Behind ‘De Novo’

Kanell described De Novo as a science fiction story exploring fungal biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and consciousness through a distinctly personal perspective.

“De Novo explores fungal biotech, consciousness, and the cost of progress—grounded in real science and told from a woman’s perspective, without defining her by romance or trauma. Unlike most AI stories, it sees AI as a mirror, not a monster. Blending animation, stop motion, and live-action, it’s both a love letter to Earth and a cautionary tale. At its core, De Novo asks: If life has no inherent meaning, how do we make it matter?” Kanell said in a statement.

The combination of live-action filmmaking, animation, and stop-motion promises a distinctive visual approach for the project, while its exploration of artificial intelligence and simulated realities places it within some of science fiction’s most enduring themes.

With Lilly Wachowski’s Anarchists United now involved as executive producer, De Novo has added another notable name to its creative team.

The film is currently in post-production. Further details, including a release date and distribution plans, have yet to be announced. Stay tuned for updates.