Development Nattiv aims to shed light on the coercive power of cults through this film, a project he describes as his "most personal film." He expressed his emotional connection to the narrative, referring to it as a story that has haunted his family since childhood. He mentioned that he's "been waiting decades until I was emotionally ready to confront my beloved grandmother's story, which has haunted my family since I was a child. As a woman in the 1980s going through a midlife crisis, my grandmother made the radical choice to leave my family and embed herself in an all-female cult, in an obsessive pursuit of happiness and meaning."
Jaime Ray Newman, Nattiv's wife, will co-produce the film through their production company, New Native Film. Joining them as producers are Julia Lebedev and Eric Viasman from Sight Unseen, and Oren Moverman. The screenplay was co-written by Nattiv and Noa Berman-Hertzberg, who also partnered with him on the 2010 film
Mabul. This project continues Nattiv's collaboration with
Bleecker Street, following their previous work together on 2023's
Golda.
Casting Naomi Watts was originally cast as Rita, but was later recast with
Carrie Coon.
Vicky Krieps was originally cast as the Leader, but was later recast with
Lily James. The film included sets in various locations in the area including
Great Central Lake and
McLean Mill National Historic Site. McLean Mill Manager Elliot Drew says this is the third production to feature the mill within the past year and the movie crew consists of more than 100 people, contributing more than $500,000 into the local economy. == References ==