John Berardo, the filmmaker behind the 2020 slasher Initiation, returns to the horror scene this year with The Mannequin—a tense, stylized twist on the possession subgenre. Deadline has shared a first look at the film, which will be released in the U.S. by Jackrabbit Media.

Described as “a tense and stylish new take on possession horror,” The Mannequin will also make its international debut at this week’s Cannes market, where Jackrabbit Media will present the title to global buyers.

Written and directed by Berardo, the film follows Liana Rojas (played by One Day at a Time’s Isabella Gomez), who becomes entangled in a chilling mystery after discovering that the downtown Los Angeles building where her sister died is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a mutilation-obsessed killer. As the malevolent force begins to take hold, Liana and her friends must unravel the building’s dark past before they become the next victims.

The cast also includes Krystle Martin (The Mean One), Lindsay LaVanchy (Predator: Killer of Killers), Jack Sochet (Smile), and Maxwell Hamilton (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore).

Berardo expressed enthusiasm for his collaboration with Jackrabbit Media, saying, “Working with Jackrabbit has been an absolute pleasure. Their passion and deep understanding of the indie horror space make them the perfect home for a film like The Mannequin.”

He added, “From day one, they’ve shown a true commitment to supporting bold, unsettling human stories. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with a team that truly gets what makes horror so powerful.”