SHELL

SHELL

Wellness gone wrong — a blood-soaked body horror with a star-studded cast

Samantha Lake is an actress whose career has hit a rough patch. When she receives an invitation to the world of Zoe Shannon — wellness guru, CEO of SHELL, and queen of the self-care empire — she decides to accept. But once inside the luxurious SHELL retreat, Samantha discovers that Zoe is hiding a horrifying secret: her patients are mysteriously disappearing. Soon, she is drawn into a grotesque conspiracy from which there may be no escape.

“Shell” is a bloody, unflinching body horror film that has been compared to Coralie Fargeat’s acclaimed “The Substance” ever since its Toronto premiere. Directed by Max Minghella — best known until now as an actor from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” as well as “Babylon” and “The Social Network” — the film marks a bold turn behind the camera. The cast is a horror fan’s dream: Elisabeth Moss (reuniting with Minghella after “The Handmaid’s Tale”), Kate Hudson, Peter MacNicol, and the unforgettable Elizabeth Berkley, whose career-defining role in “Showgirls” has made her a cult icon.

“Shell” is a razor-sharp satire of the wellness industry and show business itself — a festival of gore and a showcase for powerhouse performances.