Bleecker Street has secured the U.S. distribution rights to NDA, a psychological thriller that brings together a stellar cast led by Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler, Penn Badgley, and Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan. The film, currently in production in New York City, is the feature directorial debut of Audrey Ellis Fox, a filmmaker known for her narrative and commercial work for brands like Nike, Netflix, and McLaren.

Zegler stars as Dana, a woman enduring a 'maddening day of mediation for an office harassment claim she filed.' The logline further teases: 'As the clock ticks towards an immutable deadline, she questions the price of her silence, sanity, and the truth.' The story delves into the emotional and psychological toll of navigating workplace harassment within a system that often silences victims through non-disclosure agreements—a theme that resonates strongly in the current cultural landscape.

Ellis Fox, whose original script for NDA was featured on the prestigious 2024 Black List, expressed her excitement about the collaboration. 'I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Rachel, Penn, Amy, Bleecker, and the rest of this exceptional team to bring my film to screen,' she said. 'NDA is a story about power and perception, and it's incredibly exciting to work with partners who so fiercely believe in its vision.' The script also earned a spot in the Women in Film X Black List's Feature Residency program in 2023, highlighting Fox's growing reputation as a storyteller unafraid to tackle challenging subjects.

The production is backed by a formidable team of producers: Jared Ian Goldman and Zola Elgart Glassman (Mighty Engine), Keith Calder and Jess Wu Calder (SNOOT), Caitlin Gold (Tanbark Pictures), and Daniel Ginsberg (In The Cut Productions). Ellis Fox executive produces alongside Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson, Tyler DiNapoli, Miranda King, and Christian Hall. Sanderson praised the project, saying, 'NDA was one of the best scripts I've read and is exactly the kind of bold, filmmaker-driven cinema we're passionate about championing. Audrey is a tremendous talent, and we're honored to collaborate with her and the equally talented Rachel to bring this story to life.'

Star Power and Career Highlights

Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler’s career has skyrocketed since her breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, for which she won a Golden Globe. She followed that with a starring role in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Disney’s live-action Snow White. Her stage work includes a celebrated run in Evita in London’s West End, earning her an Olivier Award for Best Actress; she is set to reprise the role on Broadway in 2027. Upcoming projects include Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film adaptation of the musical Octet and the dramedy She Gets It from Me. Zegler is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman.

Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley has become a household name for his role as Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s You, a series he also produced. He made his directorial debut during the show’s five-season run. Beyond acting, he co-hosts the podcast Podcrushed and will soon appear in the romantic comedy You Deserve Each Other alongside Meghann Fahy. Badgley is repped by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Hansen Jacobson Teller Hoberman Newman Warren Richman Rush Kaller Gellman Meigs & Fox.

Amy Ryan

Amy Ryan earned an Oscar nomination for Gone Baby Gone and has delivered standout performances in Birdman, Bridge of Spies, Beautiful Boy, and Beau Is Afraid. Her television credits include The Office, The Wire, In Treatment, and Only Murders in the Building. She is next set to star in Oscar winner Tom McCarthy’s A Statement. Ryan is repped by Untitled Entertainment, Gersh, and Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver Thompson.

Director Audrey Ellis Fox: From Commercials to Features

Audrey Ellis Fox has built an impressive career as a narrative and commercial filmmaker. Her directorial work spans projects for Nike, Netflix, McLaren, Gatorade, Amazon, Nestlé, and Adidas, and she has collaborated with talent including Salma Hayek, Hailey Bieber, and Simu Liu. The script for NDA earned her a spot in the Women in Film X Black List Feature Residency program in 2023, which provides mentorship and development opportunities for underrepresented writers. Fox is repped by CAA, Writ Large, and Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.

Thematic Depth and Relevance

NDA taps into a deeply relevant conversation about non-disclosure agreements and workplace harassment. In recent years, the MeToo movement has brought to light how NDAs are often used to silence victims and protect powerful individuals or corporations. The film’s premise—a woman forced to weigh the costs of silence against the price of speaking out—promises a gripping, tense narrative that reflects real-world dilemmas. Fox’s script was cited as one of the best by Bleecker Street’s Sanderson, indicating the project’s potential to spark important discussions while delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense.

The psychological thriller genre has long been a platform for exploring societal fears, from Rosemary’s Baby to Gone Girl. By situating its story in the claustrophobic environment of a mediation room, NDA creates a pressure cooker of emotions, where every word and silence can change a life. The involvement of Zegler, Badgley, and Ryan—all actors known for bringing depth to complex characters—bodes well for the film’s ability to convey nuance and gravitas.

Production and Behind-the-Scenes

The film is currently shooting in New York, a city whose gritty, high-stakes energy is likely to enhance the story’s tension. The production team includes Mighty Engine, SNOOT, Tanbark Pictures, and In The Cut Productions, all companies with a track record of producing edgy, independent cinema. Bleecker Street’s acquisition further solidifies the studio’s commitment to championing bold, filmmaker-driven projects. The CEO’s personal praise for the script underscores the confidence that the film will resonate with audiences and critics alike.

As NDA moves from production to post-production, anticipation builds for what promises to be a sharp, timely thriller. With a cast that combines rising stars, established talent, and a debut director with a razor-sharp vision, the film is positioned to make a splash on the festival circuit and in theaters. For now, the team remains focused on bringing the story of Dana and her impossible choice to life.

Source:MSN News