‘Serpentine’: Darren Lynn Bousman to Direct Figure Skating Thriller

Darren Lynn Bousman, the filmmaker behind Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, and Spiral, is stepping into new territory with ‘Serpentine’, an upcoming thriller that blends organized crime, crooked cops, and the fiercely competitive world of figure skating. While the director is best known for his work in horror, the new project promises a different kind of dark, tension-filled story.

According to Deadline, Bousman will direct the film for Dream State Studios and Brand in Entertainment. The story is set in a seemingly quiet New England town where criminal activity, local corruption, and long-buried secrets begin to collide.

What Is ‘Serpentine’ About?

‘Serpentine’ centers on a woman who believes she has finally found a way to escape a dangerous life. However, her attempt to disappear soon draws her into a complicated web of criminals, influential locals, and people determined to keep the past hidden.

Set against the intensely competitive world of figure skating, the thriller combines personal ambition and shifting loyalties with organized crime and crooked law enforcement. As the protagonist’s plans unravel, the town’s seemingly peaceful exterior gives way to something far more sinister.

The film’s unusual mix of crime, suspense, and dark humor is expected to give the story a distinctive tone, with comparisons to the offbeat atmosphere of Fargo.

Darren Lynn Bousman Explores a Different Kind of Thriller

Bousman has spent much of his career working in horror, directing several entries in the Saw franchise before returning to the series with Spiral. With ‘Serpentine’, the filmmaker is looking to explore a different style of storytelling without abandoning the tension and intensity that have defined his previous work.

“I’ve wanted for a long time to flex some different muscles outside of the horror genre, and Serpentine gives me that opportunity without completely abandoning the things I love,” Bousman said in a statement.

The director added that the film retains a strong sense of dread and fear while placing those elements in a strange, darkly funny world that feels different from his previous projects.

That combination could make ‘Serpentine’ an interesting change of pace for the filmmaker, bringing his experience creating suspense to a story driven by crime, complex characters, and unexpected turns.

Valerie Palencar Writes the Thriller

Valerie Palencar penned the screenplay for ‘Serpentine’ and praised Bousman’s understanding of the project’s distinctive approach.

Palencar described the story as one driven by complicated characters navigating a world where ambition and loyalty are constantly tested. She also highlighted Bousman’s ability to build tension while keeping the characters at the center of the story.

The film is being developed by Dream State Studios and Brand in Entertainment. Additional casting, production details, and a release date have not yet been announced.

With its New England setting, figure-skating backdrop, and criminal underworld, ‘Serpentine’ looks to offer Bousman a chance to bring his signature intensity to a thriller that moves beyond traditional horror.