Two of Netflix's biggest young stars are set to share the screen in a dark and atmospheric medieval horror film. Manu Ríos, known for Élite, and Kit Connor, of Heartstopper fame, are attached to star in Rapture, a period horror movie that also features Will Poulter in a key role. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Jordan Tannahill, the Governor General's Literary Award-winning playwright and director, and has already generated significant buzz across entertainment circles.
According to an official synopsis, Rapture is set in Medieval England in the year 1348, during a time of profound social and spiritual crisis. The story centers on Lansley Abbey, a remote stone monastery in Yorkshire, where ten monks live a life of strict routine and devotion. Their quiet existence is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a messenger who brings devastating news and carries a mysterious illness. That single arrival upends the Abbey's peace, igniting moral and theological turmoil that will test the limits of faith, community, and self-preservation.
The film's central conflict emerges from a plague that is sweeping through the land. Described initially as a hemorrhagic fever, the disease transforms its victims into "revenants" — restless, undead beings with terrifying implications for the living. As the contagion advances, Lansley Abbey becomes a battleground. Desperate outsiders plead for shelter and safety while the infected threaten to overrun the monastery's walls. The monks find themselves torn apart by a moral rift: some believe they must care for the sick, even at the cost of their own lives, while others insist on protecting the centuries of knowledge safeguarded within the monastery's library and scriptorium.
The story elevates the classic zombie horror framework into a philosophical meditation on humanity. The synopsis notes that as death is fully unleashed, so too is the brothers' capacity for extraordinary acts of altruism and ruthless betrayal. They are forced to confront an ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? This blending of historical fiction, religious drama, and supernatural horror positions Rapture as a potentially unique addition to the genre.
Jordan Tannahill, a Canadian artist widely celebrated for his work in theater and literature, brings a distinctive vision to the project. He won the Governor General's Literary Award for Drama for his play Botticelli in the Fire and has been recognized as one of 69 LGBTQ+ Canadians by CBC Arts for his role in shaping Canada's history and culture. Tannahill's background in avant-garde theater and emotionally charged storytelling suggests Rapture will not be a conventional medieval monster movie. Instead, it is likely to emphasize character psychology, institutional decay, and existential dread.
HanWay Films CEO Gabrielle Stewart has expressed enthusiasm for the project, praising Tannahill's vision in a public statement. "We have all been blown away by the vision Jordan has for Rapture," Stewart said. "It is rare to have such an atmospheric and terrifying zombie horror film that inhabits such an authentic historical world, with complex characters grappling with the biggest moral dilemmas. It is no wonder he has already attracted such great casting in Will, Kit and Manu with more to come, backed by top tier producers." The statement underscores the high expectations surrounding the film and hints that additional cast members will be announced in the coming months.
The casting of Ríos and Connor in particular has sparked significant online excitement, especially among LGBTQ+ audiences. Both actors became queer icons through their respective Netflix series. In Élite, Ríos played Patrick Blanco, a wealthy, openly gay student whose complicated love life and sexual exploration became central to the show's later seasons. His portrayal broke boundaries in Spanish mainstream television and earned him a devoted international following. Connor, meanwhile, rose to immense fame as Nick Nelson in Heartstopper, the beloved adaptation of Alice Oseman's graphic novel about a tender gay romance between two schoolboys. Connor's performance was praised for its warmth and authenticity, and the show quickly became a cultural touchstone for Generation Z.
Given the actors' associations with LGBTQ+ storytelling, some fans have jokingly speculated about potential queer subtext or monk-on-monk romance in Rapture. The original announcement even played into this excitement, with one line reading, "Bisexuals, rise up!" While the official plot details do not confirm any explicit LGBTQ+ storylines, the idea of repressed monastic lives colliding with forbidden desire presents fertile storytelling ground. The medieval monastery, with its rules of celibacy and devotion, is a setting ripe for exploring themes of temptation, identity, and hidden love.
Manu Ríos, a Spanish actor, singer, and model, has been steadily expanding his career beyond Élite. He first gained attention as a social media influencer and singer before transitioning to acting. His work on Élite from 2021 to 2024 established him as a recognizable face in international streaming content. He has also appeared in music videos and collaborated with major fashion brands, making him a fixture at events like Paris Fashion Week. Rapture represents his most prominent English-language film role to date, marking a significant step toward greater international recognition.
Kit Connor, a British actor, first gained attention as a child performer in films such as Rocketman and the television series His Dark Materials. However, it was Heartstopper that made him a global star. The show's massive popularity prompted a wave of support from viewers who connected deeply with the story of Nick and Charlie. Beyond streaming, Connor has also demonstrated his stage credentials, taking on the role of Romeo in a major West End production of Romeo and Juliet. He brings a combination of genuine emotional depth and mainstream charisma to his roles, which should serve him well in the morally complex world of Rapture.
Will Poulter, who completes the central trio, is a seasoned British actor known for a wide range of performances. Audiences may recognize him from comedies like We're the Millers, blockbusters like The Revenant, or comic book fare such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, where he played Adam Warlock. More recently, he appeared in the drama On Swift Horses. His ability to vacillate between intense drama and dry humor makes him an unpredictable asset, and his presence in Rapture implies that the supporting performances will be strong.
While the project remains largely under wraps, what is known suggests a film that mixes two seemingly disparate genres: the historical religious drama and the survival horror movie. The 1348 setting places it during the Black Death, one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. This historical texture should provide a somber, grounded backdrop for the supernatural elements. The concept of plague victims returning as revenants evokes not only modern zombie lore but also medieval folklore about restless corpses created by disease and spiritual corruption.
For horror fans, Rapture offers the appeal of a slow-burn, atmospheric tension, where the true horror lies not just in the monsters at the gate but in the collapse of communal trust. The monastery, meant to be a haven of spiritual certainty, becomes a pressure cooker of fear, guilt, and desperation. The ethical dilemma at the film's core — care for the vulnerable versus protect ancient knowledge — resonates with contemporary debates around public health, sacrifice, and leadership.
LGBTQ+ representation also remains a talking point. Tannahill, who is openly gay and has often explored queer themes in his work, could bring a nuanced perspective to the story. While Rapture may not center on romance, the inclusion of Ríos and Connor, both closely associated with queer roles, suggests a conscious effort to cast actors with strong LGBTQ+ appeal. Observers will be watching to see whether the monks' relationships contain any romantic or sexual dimension, or whether the film explores queerness through allegory and subtext.
Filming is expected to begin in Hungary later this year. Hungary has become a popular filming destination for international productions due to its historic architecture, generous tax incentives, and established studio infrastructure. The country's landscapes should be well suited to recreating the remote Yorkshire countryside of the 14th century. Additional casting announcements are likely as production ramps up, and the film is being positioned for international distribution through HanWay Films.
Rapture already stands out as a curious and intriguing project: a medieval plague zombie movie directed by a celebrated playwright, starring some of the most beloved young actors of the streaming era. It has the potential to satisfy audiences seeking intelligent horror, passionate historical drama, and genuine emotional weight. Whether the film delivers on its lofty ambitions remains to be seen, but the combination of talent in front of and behind the camera creates an undeniable sense of anticipation.
Source:Yahoo Entertainment News