Actors Abbey Lee and Christopher Abbott will headline a chase-thriller titled Fear Is The Rider, which is set to be written and directed by Emmy-nominated director John Michael McDonagh.

Based on Kenneth Cook's novel of the same name, the film tells the story of John Shaw (Abbott), a photojournalist who arrives in Australia trying to recover from his experiences reporting on the Vietnam War. After meeting a young woman (Lee) in a small-town bar, he decides to detour into the Outback to photograph cave paintings. Out there, under the baking sun, people can die within hours. But the elements are not the most hazardous thing in the bush, and Shaw and his mysterious companion soon find themselves caught up in an unrelenting fight for survival.

McDonagh will also produce Fear Is The Rider alongside Elizabeth Eves under their House of Un-American Activities banner. The Exchange will introduce the project to international buyers at the 2022 virtual EFM.