Lauren LaVera and Djimon Hounsou Face a Dark Con in ‘Twisted’

The first trailer has been released for Twisted, a new R-rated horror thriller directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, marking his latest return to the genre following earlier work on multiple Saw films. The project stars Lauren LaVera and Djimon Hounsou, with the teaser debuting today ahead of the film’s digital release next month.

Previously developed under the title The Monster, Twisted centres on a real estate scam operating across New York City. According to the official synopsis, two millennials generate fast cash by leasing luxury apartments they do not own to tenants unaware they are being defrauded. The scheme unravels when they encounter an apartment owner harbouring a hidden agenda, turning the con into a far more dangerous situation. A secondary synopsis description frames the story around a con artist whose operation collapses after she is captured by a surgeon with a disturbing plan.

LaVera, best known for her role as Sienna Shaw in the Terrifier franchise, headlines the film and makes a clear pivot into a more contained thriller setting. Her casting is likely to draw attention from genre audiences familiar with her previous work, while Hounsou takes on a prominent supporting role within the film’s escalating conflict. The cast also includes Alicia Witt, Mia Healey, Neal McDonough, Gina Philips and rapper Prof, credited under his given name Jacob Lukas Anderson.

Twisted is written by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer, whose previous collaboration includes Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane. The film is produced by Mark Burg through Twisted Pictures, alongside Lee Nelson and David Tish. Burg previously commented on the project’s development, citing the script’s construction and the opportunity to reunite with Bousman as key factors in bringing the film to screen.

Principal photography took place in Connecticut during late 2024, with filming split between Danbury and New Haven over a five-week shoot. Distribution is being handled by Republic Pictures, with the release strategy focused entirely on the digital marketplace.

Twisted will be available to buy or rent on digital platforms from 6 February 2026.

Twisted trailer