Distribution giant A24 releases a trailer for the festival hit In Fabric. Directed by British filmmaker Peter Strickland, the horror comedy stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a woman enamored with a mysterious dress. 

In 2012, Strickland released the indie hit Berberian Sound Studio, and followed that up with the 2014 drama The Duke of Burgundy. His latest release, In Fabric, stars Jean-Baptiste as Sheila - a character who buys what appears to be a killer dress (literally). The film first premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and earned positive reviews from critics. Alongside Jean-Baptiste, In Fabric co-stars Hayley Squires, Leo Bill, and Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie. Jean-Baptiste is perhaps best known for her Academy Award-nominated performance in Mike Leigh’s 1996 film Secrets & Lies. In recent years, she was a series regular on NBC’s Blindspot and appeared in ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder.

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A24 released a retro-style trailer for In Fabric. It begins with a red backdrop and the A24 logo dissolving in a shopping window spiral design. This attracts Jean-Baptiste’s Sheila, who enters the store and has a bizarre conversation with a woman who makes cryptic statements about the dress’ powers. Once Sheila purchases the dress, the red theme continues when she notices a red rash on her chest, prompting her to wash the item. The trailer kicks into high gear when the dress destroys the washer; a moment that sets the tone for a hypnotic second half. In Fabric appears to be inspired by Italian giallo films of the '70s, and the clip hints at a creepy metaphysical subplot. Watch the In Fabric trailer below. 

For A24, In Fabric will complement the studio’s highly anticipated summer releases. On July 3, A24 will release Midsommar, the second feature from American filmmaker Ari Aster. Last summer, Aster’s directorial debut Hereditary became the studio’s highest-grossing film. A24 will also release Lulu Wang’s dramedy The Farewell starring Awkwafina  (Crazy Rich Asians), along with the biographical drama Skin starring Jamie Bell and Vera Farmiga. Founded in 2012, A24 has earned 25 Oscar nominations over the years, with the most notable films being Moonlight, Room, Ex Machina, The Witch, and The Disaster Artist

Based on the trailer for In Fabric, horror fans will be intrigued by the throwback qualities. In addition, Strickland appears to be challenging himself even more as a filmmaker, and the casting of Jean-Baptiste is a unique choice given that she’s not necessarily a recognizable star. This allows for the psychological aspects to take over, and the trailer’s color and sound design suggests In Fabric will be an absolute mind trip. But will it make money? A24 has released some big hits, along with plenty of flash in the pan flicks like 2018’s Hot Summer Nights and How to Talk to Girls at Parties

More: A24's Best Horror Movies, Ranked

Source: A24