A tense new horror-thriller with a star-studded cast is heading to the international sales circuit this week, arriving as buyers gather at the AFM. Can I Come In? — a quietly made Canadian production — is now in post and aims to reach distributors from its first market outing.
Directed by Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Rouzbeh Heydari, the film filmed discreetly in Toronto earlier this year and completed post-production over the summer and fall. The Launch Company will begin sales at the American Film Market where the project debuts on the company’s slate.
Plot and performances
At the center of the story is Thomas, a methodical carpenter played by Brenton Thwaites, whose wife Katherine, portrayed by Hannah John-Kamen, disappears after finishing a hospital shift. The disappearance fractures the family: Thomas is haunted by recurring nightmares and an uneasy sense that Katherine isn’t entirely gone. When a battered, altered version of her eventually returns to the porch and asks to be let in, the film shifts from domestic drama into unsettling psychological horror.
The ensemble also includes Henry Thomas as Tom’s father and the local sheriff, with Douglas Smith, Willa Holland and Anja Savcic in supporting roles. The screenplay was developed by Jess Mastro and Nick Ruggia; production credits include Chris K. Daniels and Michael G. Nathanson.
- Brenton Thwaites — lead (Thomas)
- Hannah John-Kamen — Katherine
- Henry Thomas — Tom’s father / sheriff
- Douglas Smith, Willa Holland, Anja Savcic — principal supporting cast
Production, sales and creative intent
The Launch Company produced the picture through its Ontario arm, Launch North, and has tasked Sasha Manning with leading sales at AFM. The company has positioned the film as one of four titles on its inaugural production slate, alongside projects that include Emma Roberts and Noomi Rapace in The Technique.
Both the producers and the director say the film prioritizes character over jump scares. Chris K. Daniels framed the picture as a family drama first — an exploration of grief that unfolds as genre horror. Heydari described his approach as anchoring the story in emotional reality so that the more surreal, frightening elements grow logically from unresolved trauma.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Can I Come In? |
| Director | Rouzbeh Heydari |
| Writers | Jess Mastro & Nick Ruggia |
| Producers | Chris K. Daniels, Michael G. Nathanson |
| Production company | The Launch Company / Launch North |
| Filming | Toronto, Canada (earlier in 2026) |
| Status | In post-production — sales launching at AFM |
Industry context and why it matters now
The timing matters: AFM remains a key marketplace for indie genre fare, and distributors are actively seeking films that blend emotional stakes with horror hooks. Launch’s decision to shop this title immediately suggests confidence in the film’s commercial potential and in the market’s appetite for character-driven terror.
For the cast, the project slots into busy careers: Thwaites recently led the Paramount+ drama Two Years Later and co-starred with Daisy Ridley in We Bury the Dead; John-Kamen has just reprised her Marvel role and has another studio release on the way; Henry Thomas continues to appear in high-profile streaming horror anthologies.
Beyond sales prospects, the picture signals Launch’s push to move from development into full-scale production and distribution support. The company says it is building a pipeline — financing, creative development and production services — intended to shepherd independent features from script to release.
How the film performs at AFM will shape its path to theaters or streaming: strong buyer interest could lead to a quick acquisition, while a quieter market response would likely route the title through festival play and targeted platform negotiations. Either outcome will offer an early read on demand for intimate, psychologically driven horror this season.
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Hello, I’m Declan. I share my film reviews and discoveries with you to enrich your moviegoing experience.