Guy Pearce (Killing Faith) and Teresa Palmer (Lights Out) are diving headfirst into the paranormal in the upcoming supernatural thriller Poor Boy, joined by Ann Dowd (Hereditary), according to Deadline.

Directed by Jeffrey Walker (Apple Cider Vinegar), Poor Boy promises a haunting blend of psychological tension and spectral dread.

The story centers on a chilling mystery: after a near-fatal accident on his seventh birthday, a young boy awakens from a coma claiming he’s the reincarnation of a man who died seven years earlier. As two families spiral into paranoia and grief, they’re forced to confront a horrifying question — is this a miracle of rebirth or the return of something far darker and vengeful?

Based on Matt Cameron’s 2009 stage play, the adaptation marks a full-circle moment for Guy Pearce, who first performed the story with the Melbourne Theatre Company.

“Having been part of Poor Boy since first performing it in 2009, it’s a great thrill to bring it to the screen,” Pearce said. “Matt Cameron’s vivid and emotional story digs into long-buried secrets and universal frailties most families would rather keep dead and buried.”

Anthony Buckner, Head of Sales & Acquisitions at AMP, added:

“Poor Boy isn’t your typical ghost story. It’s an exceptional, high-stakes supernatural puzzle with a powerhouse cast and a creative team ready to deliver something truly unsettling.”

Poor Boy will be unleashed to the world at AFM — and if the premise is any indication, this one’s set to haunt long after the credits roll.