Michelle Randolph circling lead role in horror thriller Malibu

Michelle Randolph, best known for her breakout roles in Taylor Sheridan's series 1923 and Landman, is in talks to headline Malibu, an upcoming horror thriller from Screen Gems. The film will be directed by Paranormal Activity 2 filmmaker Tod Williams.

While plot specifics remain tightly under wraps, Malibu is being described as a thriller entrenched in the subterranean horror subgenre, hinting at eerie, underground terrors. Production is slated to begin later this year.

The project marks a reunion for Williams and veteran horror producer Steven Schneider, who previously collaborated on Paranormal Activity 2. Schneider will produce Malibu alongside Roy Lee under their genre-focused banner, Spooky Pictures.

Together, Lee and Schneider are notable players in contemporary horror. Their recent credits include Late Night with the Devil, the supernatural chiller starring David Dastmalchian, and Strange Darling, a buzzy thriller that turned heads for director JT Mollner. The duo is also behind several high-profile projects in development, including Dungeon, an adaptation of the Scott Snyder comic, and The Long Walk, Lionsgate’s upcoming Stephen King adaptation, set for a September 12 theatrical release.

Randolph’s profile has been on the rise thanks to her roles in two prominent Sheridan projects. She played Liz Strafford in 1923, sharing the screen with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, and currently stars as the daughter of Billy Bob Thornton’s character in Landman, which was renewed for a second season earlier this year. She’s also slated to appear in Scream 7, due in February 2026.