Wagner Moura has signed on to star in Flesh of the Gods, a stylized vampire thriller that sees the actor pairing with Kristen Stewart in a project now backed by A24 for its U.S. Distribution. The move marks a significant casting shift for the production, as Moura steps into a lead role previously held by Oscar Isaac, who departed the project due to scheduling conflicts.
The film, directed by Panos Cosmatos—whose visceral, neon-drenched aesthetic defined the cult hit Mandy—is positioned as a high-concept descent into 1980s decadence. By securing the U.S. Rights, A24 continues its trend of partnering with visionary directors and genre-bending narratives that challenge traditional horror and thriller tropes.
Set against the glittering, excess-driven backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, Flesh of the Gods centers on Raoul (Moura) and Alex (Stewart), a married couple living in a luxury skyscraper condo. Their lives are divided between their sterile high-rise existence and a nightly excursion into an “electric nighttime realm.” The plot thickens when the couple encounters a mysterious figure known as the Nameless and her hedonistic cabal, leading Raoul and Alex into a surrealistic world defined by violence, thrills, and sensory overload.
A Collision of Genre Pedigrees
The creative architecture of the film suggests a blend of atmospheric dread and sharp, psychological tension. The screenplay is penned by Andrew Kevin Walker, the writer renowned for the bleak, meticulous plotting of Se7en, based on a story developed by both Walker and Cosmatos. This partnership suggests a film that may balance Cosmatos’ penchant for psychedelic imagery with Walker’s history of grounded, gritty suspense.
The production is supported by a heavy-hitting team of producers. Adam McKay and Betsy Koch are producing via HyperObject Industries, while Stewart and Maggie McLean are involved through Nevermind Pictures. International elements are handled by Germany’s augenschein Filmproduktion, with Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo producing. Financing and international sales are being managed by XYZ Films in association with IPR.VC.
The Global Ascent of Wagner Moura
For Wagner Moura, Flesh of the Gods arrives at a historic peak in his career. The actor recently broke new ground with The Secret Agent (Agente Secreto), becoming the first Brazilian actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. His performance in the film—directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho—earned him a Golden Globe for acting and the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Moura’s trajectory from his breakout role as Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s Narcos to his recent appearance in Alex Garland’s Civil War (also an A24 production) demonstrates a versatility that spans prestige political dramas and high-concept genre cinema. His role in The Secret Agent, which explores a technology expert caught in a political conspiracy during Brazil’s military dictatorship, solidified his status as a premiere international lead.
Production Timeline and Future Outlook
The project was first introduced to the industry during the summer of 2024 at the Cannes Market. Since then, the acquisition by A24 and the finalization of the lead cast have moved the film closer to active production. The pairing of Moura and Stewart is particularly notable given both actors’ histories of selecting unconventional, auteur-driven projects over standard studio fare.
Moura’s current slate remains densely packed, indicating a period of high demand for the actor. Beyond Flesh of the Gods, he is set to appear in the Netflix sci-fi horror project 11817, directed by Louis Leterrier and co-starring Greta Lee, as well as the drama The Last Day opposite Alicia Vikander. He also recently appeared in Apple’s crime drama Dope Thief alongside Brian Tyree Henry.
| Role/Entity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director | Panos Cosmatos |
| Writer | Andrew Kevin Walker |
| U.S. Distributor | A24 |
| Lead Cast | Wagner Moura, Kristen Stewart |
| Setting | 1980s Los Angeles |
As the production moves forward, industry attention will likely shift toward the casting of the “Nameless” and the accompanying cabal, as well as the specific filming window for the Los Angeles sequences. With A24 now on board, the film is expected to follow a curated release strategy typical of the studio’s prestige genre titles.
We will continue to monitor official casting announcements and production updates as they are released by the producers.
Do you think this pairing of Moura and Stewart is the right fit for a 1980s vampire thriller? Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on our social channels.
