The Masque of the Red Death, an adaptation by A24, is in the process of moving forward with filming. Charlie Polinger, who is both writing and directing the film, announced that production will begin in early February, starting on location in Budapest. This update follows multiple reports from December, tracing back to June 2025, that Mikey Madison, who earlier this year won an Academy Award for her performance in Anora, had been rumored to star in the gothic film. Initially, Sydney Sweeney had signed on to lead the film; however, due to scheduling conflicts, she had to exit the project. In a recent interview with Gold Derby, Polinger shared the latest details about the upcoming film while promoting his new film The Plague, stating that he is currently in Budapest to conduct pre-production tasks along with scouting the location.

Polinger described the project as a high-energy dark comedy. The film will center around the setting, a city engulfed by a plague, and within the city Polinger will explore group dynamics. He went on to emphasize that both the tone and approach will draw inspiration from the novel but will ultimately be distinct.

Originally, The Masque of the Red Death was written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1842. The short story follows a prince who hides in his monastery when a deadly sickness, “The Red Death,” takes over the city. In an attempt to forget his reality, during a masquerade ball, a masked figure representing Death terrorizes the lavish event. Unlike Poe’s original story, Polinger’s adaptation is reportedly set to introduce long-lost twins who infiltrate a prince’s castle during a plague, with Mikey Madison rumored to play the dual role.

Industry sources have suggested that the film intertwines with A24’s brand, which could lead to potential appeal to younger audiences while including visually bold and provocative moments. Although specific plot details have not been made public, Polinger’s recent comments indicate a retelling of the gothic tale with stylistic choices, incorporating a historical setting with contemporary sensibilities and a comedic edge.