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- Neon’s early play: securing a rising horror voice
- The film’s hook: a lethal livestream and online survival
- Producers, executives, and credits to watch
- How It Ends set the stage for Ullom’s next film
- Market timing and Park City context
- Who represents Ullom and what’s next
- Why studios are betting on pre-production grabs
Neon has quietly moved to secure the worldwide rights to Alex Ullom’s follow-up horror film, announcing the acquisition of 4 X 4: The Event ahead of its production start later this year. The deal arrives as Ullom’s debut feature, It Ends, builds momentum after its SXSW premiere and a surprise run on Letterboxd’s festival rental platform.
Neon’s early play: securing a rising horror voice
Streaming and theatrical company Neon did not wait for the cameras to roll. Sources say the studio struck a preemptive deal to acquire global rights to 4 X 4: The Event while the title remains in development. The move signals faith in Ullom as a new name in genre cinema.
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Neon’s approach mirrors earlier bets on genre filmmakers. The studio previously backed Oz Perkins after his film Longlegs found unexpected traction under Neon’s banner. Industry watchers see a pattern of Neon courting up-and-coming horror auteurs before their careers peak.
The film’s hook: a lethal livestream and online survival
4 X 4: The Event pits eight contestants against an illegal, sensory-overload livestream. Participants must survive by using only items they can purchase online. The concept blends social media voyeurism with brutal, contained-thriller stakes.
- Premise: Live-streamed death game with rules tied to online orders.
- Format: Ensemble horror with real-time, tension-driven beats.
- Production start: Scheduled for later this year.
The film is being produced through a multi-title partnership between Spooky Pictures and Image Nation. Neon also plans to distribute other titles from the same collaborators later this year, including Damian McCarthy’s supernatural shocker Hokum, which stars Adam Scott.
Producers, executives, and credits to watch
A number of genre producers are attached to 4 X 4: The Event. The project brings together established horror financiers and newer production shapers.
- Producers: Roy Lee and Steven Schneider (Spooky Pictures).
- Producers: Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath (Divide/Conquer).
- Additional producers: Haley Johnson and Evan Barber.
- Executive producers: Ben Ross (Image Nation) and Jakob Pollack (Spooky Pictures).
The acquisition was negotiated by Kate Gondwe for Neon, with representation from UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
How It Ends set the stage for Ullom’s next film
Ullom’s first feature, It Ends, helped put him on Neon’s radar. The film made waves after debuting at SXSW and later reached a wider set of cinephiles through a short-lived Letterboxd Video Store rental, which spotlighted festival films not yet distributed.
It Ends follows a group of recent college graduates who become trapped on an endless stretch of highway inside their Jeep. The ensemble cast includes Mitchell Cole, Akira Jackson, Noah Toth, and Phinehas Yoon. Neon acquired the film last month and plans to release it later this year.
Market timing and Park City context
The Neon acquisition of 4 X 4 is one of the earliest deals announced out of Park City this season. Buyers have been cautious so far for completed films premiering at festivals, making Neon’s preemptive purchase stand out.
Spooky Pictures and Image Nation have another title at Sundance this year, Undertone, but that film was already picked up by A24 after its world premiere at Fantastic Fest. The contrasting outcomes highlight how festival exposure and timing affect sales strategies.
Who represents Ullom and what’s next
Ullom’s team includes UTA, Entertainment 360, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Neon’s quick move suggests the studio wants a close relationship with Ullom as he develops more genre work.
- Agency representation: UTA.
- Additional reps: Entertainment 360; McKuin Frankel Whitehead.
- Distributor: Neon (worldwide rights for 4 X 4).
- Production window: Cameras planned to roll later this year.
Why studios are betting on pre-production grabs
Buying into a film before it shoots reduces bidding wars later. For genre-focused distributors, early deals secure a pipeline of potential hits. Neon’s history of turning small horror films into breakout titles makes this a logical strategy.
For filmmakers, an upfront distribution commitment can unlock higher-budget choices and better marketing plans. For Neon, the payoff is shaping careers and building a stable of distinct horror voices.
