First trailer released for horror thriller Pendulum, with Gordon-Levitt and Reedus

Mixed · 2The first official trailer for the horror thriller Pendulum was released on 29 October 2026; Collider previewed it exclusively in partnership with Vertical Entertainment. 1 2 Mixed · 2The film opens in theaters on 1 January 2027, is rated R and runs 109 minutes. 1 2 Mixed · 2Mark Heyman wrote and directed it, in his feature directorial debut. He co-wrote Black Swan, and Darren Aronofsky is a producer. 1 2

Mixed · 2Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Phoebe Dynevor play married couple Patrick and Abigail. The cast also includes Norman Reedus, Anna Deavere Smith, Jena Malone and Jacki Weaver. 1 2 Mixed · 2Vertical's synopsis says the couple travel to a new-age retreat in New Mexico hoping to heal after a traumatic event. Patrick distrusts the retreat's enigmatic leader, played by Weaver, while Abigail falls under her spell, and paranoia builds. 1 2 Mixed · 2Heyman said the film grew from his upbringing around the spiritual groups and gurus his parents explored in the 1970s and 80s, and that it was inspired by one of their stranger encounters and "much of it is true". The A.V. Club says the film "purports to be based on a true story". 1 2

Left · 1The A.V. Club describes trailer imagery of residents whose mouths open unnaturally wide, the repeated phrase "death does not exist" and crawling demons. 2 Centre · 1Collider frames the film as Reedus's return to horror, noting his Walking Dead role as Daryl Dixon and his upcoming Apple TV spy thriller Disavowed. 1