Pop provocateur Charli XCX is officially stepping into the world of horror cinema — and not just as an actress. The Brat hitmaker, fresh off her sixth studio album and three Grammy wins, is expanding her artistic footprint as both star and producer in an upcoming horror feature helmed by legendary Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, best known for the cult-classic Audition and the shockingly surreal Ichi the Killer.
The film, currently untitled, marks Charli XCX’s second producing credit under her new production company Studio365, which she launched to develop bold, genre-blending projects. Her first project, a mockumentary titled The Moment, is set for release under the critically acclaimed A24 banner — a studio known for its edgy and auteur-driven films.
A Rising Force in Film and Music
Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Emma Aitchison, has steadily evolved from electro-pop rebel to a multifaceted creative force. Already celebrated for redefining pop music with her sonic experimentation, she is now making waves in Hollywood. Her pivot into film shows she’s not content to stay in one lane — and audiences are here for it.
Though the plot of the new horror film remains under wraps, it’s been confirmed that the screenplay is penned by Ross Evans, who is also writing How to Save a Marriage, a romantic drama in development at Sony with Robert Pattinson as producer. With Miike’s visceral storytelling and Charli’s edgy persona, the film is expected to push genre boundaries in exciting ways.
Not Her First Foray into Horror
This new film isn’t Charli’s first brush with the horror genre. She’s already attached to Faces of Death, a reimagining of the infamous 1978 exploitation horror film. That project, too, positions her at the center of a dark, cinematic experience — and signals her growing interest in the genre’s psychological and visual intensity.
Previously, Charli dipped her toes into the world of voice acting in animated features like The Angry Birds Movie and UglyDolls. But now she’s shifting gears, diving into high-profile roles in live-action films. One of her upcoming projects, I Want Your Sex, co-stars Hollywood heavyweights like Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Salma Hayek. She also appears in Sacrifice, and reunites with director Aidan Zamiri for The Moment.
A Stacked Slate of Projects
In addition to the horror film with Miike, Charli XCX is slated to appear in 100 Nights of Hero, a whimsical period fantasy directed by Julia Jackman. She will star alongside Nicholas Galitzine and Emma Corrin, in a narrative adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel by Isabel Greenberg.
Charli is also part of the ensemble cast of The Gallerist, a suspense thriller directed by Cathy Yan, known for Birds of Prey. The film boasts a stacked cast including Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, further cementing Charli’s rising profile in the cinematic world.
Reinvention and Reach
As she moves from pop stardom to full-on creative entrepreneurship, Charli XCX is proving she’s not just a chart-topper but a genuine tastemaker and artistic visionary. Her transition into producing and acting reflects a strategic pivot toward longevity in the entertainment industry.
With partnerships that include industry titans like A24 and collaborations with visionary directors, Charli XCX is setting herself up as a formidable presence both on-screen and behind the scenes.
For fans of pop culture, horror, and experimental storytelling, this upcoming film with Takashi Miike is one to watch.
