‘Pendulum’ Trailer Unleashes New Age Retreat Horror With Joseph Gordon-Levitt

A healing retreat takes a terrifying turn in the first trailer for Pendulum, the upcoming psychological horror film marking the feature directorial debut of Black Swan screenwriter Mark Heyman. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Phoebe Dynevor, the film will arrive in theaters from Vertical on January 1, 2027.

The film follows a married couple searching for a fresh start after a traumatic experience. However, their attempt to find peace at a New Mexico retreat soon descends into a disturbing nightmare, where the promise of spiritual healing gives way to paranoia and an unsettling mystery.

What Is ‘Pendulum’ About?

In Pendulum, Gordon-Levitt plays Patrick, who accompanies his wife, Abigail (Dynevor), to a new-age retreat in New Mexico in the hope of helping her heal. The couple initially sees the experience as an opportunity to move forward, but their stay takes a sinister turn as Abigail becomes increasingly drawn to the retreat’s enigmatic leader, played by Jacki Weaver.

Patrick, meanwhile, grows suspicious of the group’s spiritual practices and begins questioning whether the retreat offers genuine healing or conceals something far more sinister.

As paranoia spreads, the couple must uncover the truth behind the organization before its dark secrets threaten to consume them both.

The film also stars Jena Malone and Norman Reedus, with Darren Aronofsky producing through his Protozoa Pictures banner.

Mark Heyman Brings a Personal Story to the Screen

Pendulum draws inspiration from Heyman’s own family history, with the filmmaker explaining that shooting in New Mexico made the experience particularly meaningful.

“This movie is deeply personal and inspired by my family lore,” Heyman said in a statement. He also noted that filming in the state where he grew up, and where the real events took place, gave the production an added sense of surrealism.

Heyman, whose screenwriting credits include Black Swan, described the finished film as a horror movie he is immensely proud of and eager to share with audiences.

Vertical’s Peter Jarowey also praised the performances from Gordon-Levitt and Dynevor, describing the film as an impressive and terrifying directorial debut.

With its mysterious spiritual community, mounting paranoia, and promise of a disturbing psychological journey, Pendulum looks set to kick off 2027 with a dose of unsettling horror.

Pendulum arrives in theaters on January 1, 2027.