Sydney Sweeney is set to star in A24’s upcoming adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe short story. The actress broke through with her roles in HBO series, starting with Cᴀssie in Euphoria, which is co-produced by A24, and followed by her role in The White Lotus season 1, both of which earned her Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Her breakthrough in film came in the 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You, which was a big box office success, and in 2024, she starred in the horror movie, Immaculate.
Now, per ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Sweeney is in talks to star in an A24 adaptation of The Masque of the Red Death, described as a “wildly revisionist and darkly comedic take on the short story of the same name by Edgar Allan Poe.” Charlie Polinger is writing and directing the film, and while precise plot details remain under wraps, Poe’s short story follows a prince who attempts to avoid a dangerous plague by hiding in his abbey while hosting a masquerade ball. The project is expected to begin shooting this year.
The Masque of the Red Death has been adapted for the screen numerous times, including a 1964 film starring Vincent Price.
What The Masque Of The Red Death Means For Sydney Sweeney
The Star Is Staying Busy
After breaking out on television in the acclaimed HBO dramas Euphoria and The White Lotus, Sweeney transitioned to film, starring in the 2023 HBO Film, Reality, earning critical acclaim for her performance as the тιтular whistleblower, Reality Winner. Later that same year, she starred in the blockbuster rom-com Anyone But You. In 2024, she starred in the superhero flop Madame Web, the hit horror movie Immaculate, and the survival thriller Eden – which premiered at TIFF in September 2024 but still hasn’t received distribution.
Sweeney also finished filming a Christy Martin biopic and Echo Valley in 2024.
With Sweeney set to star in The Masque of the Red Death, she will stay busy for much of 2025. She’s currently filming an adaptation of the hit novel The Housemaid with Euphoria season 3 also slated to start shooting sometime in early 2025. Sweeney was also cast in Scandalous!, chronicling the story behind the Hollywood romance between singer Sammy Davis Jr. and actress Kim Novak, directed by her Euphoria co-star Colman Domingo in his directorial debut.
Our Take On Sydney Sweeney Starring In The Masque Of The Red Death
It Signals An Exciting New Chapter In Her Career
Sydney Sweeney starring in The Masque of the Red Death signals an exciting new chapter in her career, especially following the success of her horror movie, Immaculate. Given A24’s bold vision, the film’s “wildly revisionist and darkly comedic take” could see Sweeney in a gender-swapped lead role, transforming Poe’s Prince Prospero into a Princess. With Charlie Polinger at the helm – known for his visually striking and theatrical storytelling – his adaptation could blend horror, satire, and surrealism – making Masque of the Red Death one of many fascinating projects starring Sydney Sweeney to look out for.
Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline
