Nicole Kidman Reunites with Horror in Oz Perkins’ New Film The Young People
Nicole Kidman is stepping back into the world of psychological horror, teaming with filmmaker Osgood Perkins for his new project The Young People. Perkins, who has recently gained major attention for Longlegs and The Monkey, continues to build his reputation as one of today’s most intriguing genre voices — and Kidman’s involvement has horror audiences buzzing.
Kidman, whose past chilling performances in The Others (2001) and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) earned significant acclaim, joins an ensemble led by Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Nico Parker (The Last of Us). The cast also features Tatiana Maslany, who has now collaborated with Perkins for the third time, following roles in The Monkey and the upcoming thriller Keeper. Rounding out the lineup are Brendan Hines, Cush Jumbo, Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville, Lexi Minetree, and Lily Collias.
True to Perkins’ signature approach, the plot of The Young People remains tightly guarded. The director is known for deliberately withholding story details to allow audiences to enter his films with little preparation, heightening the unsettling emotional experience. Marketing for Longlegs, for instance, famously concealed Nicolas Cage’s full character look to preserve the shock factor, according to Yahoo Entertainment.
The only official hint so far is a moody promotional image of Lola Tung leaning over what appears to be a bathtub filled with blood and the project’s cryptic tagline: “A bad trip by Osgood Perkins.” Beyond that, the film is wrapped in mystery — which, for many horror fans, only amplifies anticipation.
Perkins’ previous film Keeper, arriving November 14, follows a couple on an anniversary retreat to a secluded cabin before the seemingly romantic getaway spirals into terror. That film, like The Young People, has been cautiously discussed in early press to avoid spoiling the central twist.
Kidman’s return to horror marks a meaningful full circle moment, recalling her earlier explorations of tension, grief, and the uncanny. In The Others, she portrayed a mother shielding her children from an unseen presence, while The Killing of a Sacred Deer saw her family unravel under mysterious psychological pressure.
The Young People also marks Perkins’ first film under his first-look deal with NEON, the studio behind his recent successes — hinting that this partnership is just beginning its darker, stranger journey.
