Saoirse Ronan is set to star in satirical comedy with thriller elements, Bad Apples. The film is director Jonatan Etzler’s English language debut.
Saoirse Ronan (Foe, Brooklyn) is set to star in upcoming satirical comedy-thriller, Bad Apples, from Swedish director Jonatan Etzler (One More Time) and screenwriter Jess O’Kane. HanWay Films will launch worldwide sales for the film at AFM. This film marks Etzler’s English language debut. Pulse Films is producing. According to Deadline, the production company is aiming to shoot the film in the UK under an Equity contract in spring 2024.
Adapted from Rasmus Lindgren’s novel, De Oönskade, Bad Apples follows the story of Maria (Ronan), a primary school teacher doing her best to inspire a class of 10-year-olds but unable to because of one unruly and chaotic student. With her career in question and the child’s behavior spiraling, she makes a series of bad decisions that lead to her accidentally taking and locking this ‘bad apple’ in her home. Maria tries desperately to backtrack, but when the class starts flourishing and the staff and parents are thrilled with the improvement, she finds herself in a very complicated predicament.
Oskar Pimlott will produce for Pulse Films. Judy Counihan and Jamie Hall will executive produce for Pulse Films, Philip Knatchbull, Marc Smit, Paul Wiegard and Kristian Brodie will executive produce for CCM, and Paul Grindey and Charles Moore will executive produce for Viewfinder Film. Fiona Weir (Ammonite, Room) is handling casting. Bad Apples is being developed in partnership with the Curzon CM Development Fund, which is backed by Curzon, Cinéart and Madman Entertainment.
“Jonatan has an unparalleled ability to create hilarious and horrifying cinema from the uncomfortable truths of human nature,” said Pulse Films producer Pimlott. “We couldn’t be more excited that his unique perspective is going to collide with the extraordinary depth and talent of Saoirse Ronan in this special film.”
“We have been following with much excitement the development of this brilliant screenplay with one of the most interesting directors to be emerging from Scandinavia,” added HanWay Films CEO Gabrielle Stewart. “This is such a juicy part for Saoirse Ronan who will bring to life all the drama, the comedy and the brutal tension of this unique role. Pulse are producers making cutting edge cinema and we are thrilled to be working with them.”
Saoirse Ronan most recently starred in Foe alongside Paul Mescal. Her other upcoming roles include Steve McQueen’s Blitz for Apple and Nora Fingscheidt’s addiction drama The Outrun, based on Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir.
