Charli xcx isn’t slowing down. Fresh from dominating Sundance with her meta mockumentary moment, the pop disruptor is now diving headfirst into Japanese horror — and the project already sounds intense.
The singer-turned-actor is teaming up with cult filmmaker Takashi Miike for a new thriller currently titled Untitled Kyoto Project. And if Miike’s filmography is anything to go by, this won’t be a quiet vacation story.
🎬 A Nightmare in Kyoto
Written by Ross Evans, the film follows three friends who reunite in Kyoto for what’s meant to be a relaxing getaway. Things spiral quickly when Charli’s character becomes possessed by a tortured spirit, turning the trip into something far darker.
Miike — best known globally for disturbing cult classics like Audition and Ichi the Killer — isn’t exactly subtle when it comes to violence. So expectations are already leaning toward visceral, psychological horror.
Charli will not only star in the film but also produce it under her banner, Studio365.
🌍 A Stacked Cast Joins the Ride
The project is shaping up with a strong international lineup.
- Milly Alcock, who broke out globally with House of the Dragon and is next set to appear in Supergirl, joins the cast.
- Sho Kasamatsu (Tokyo Vice)
- Kiko Mizuhara (Ride or Die)
- Norman Reedus, known for his cult following and genre presence
The film is heading to the European Film Market in Berlin, with The Veterans and CAA Media Finance handling international sales — a sign that industry confidence is high.
🔥 From Pop Star to Film Fixture
Charli’s transition into cinema has been surprisingly fast — and surprisingly credible.
Her mockumentary The Moment, directed by Aidan Zamiri, became one of Sundance’s most talked-about titles. Backed by A24, it reportedly became the studio’s fastest-selling limited release ever, with dozens of sold-out screenings.
Before that, she appeared in Erupcja, 100 Nights of Hero, the horror film Sacrifice, and Gregg Araki’s provocative drama I Want Your Sex alongside Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman.
In other words: this isn’t a vanity crossover. It’s a deliberate pivot.
🎥 Why This Project Feels Big
Pairing a global pop icon with one of Japan’s most uncompromising directors is not a safe move — it’s a bold one. And bold usually means conversation.
Miike’s style thrives on psychological discomfort and shocking imagery. Charli, meanwhile, has built a career on reinvention and risk. That combination could either be chaotic brilliance — or something totally unhinged.
Either way, it won’t be boring.
💬 Final Words
Charli xcx is clearly not interested in playing it safe. From meta indie darling at Sundance to leading lady in a Kyoto-set possession horror, she’s carving out a film career that feels unpredictable and intentional.
If Untitled Kyoto Project delivers on its promise, this could mark her most daring screen performance yet. And with Miike at the helm, expect beauty, brutality, and absolutely zero chill.
