Republic Pictures, the acquisitions label under Paramount Pictures, has picked up North American rights to Azrael, an action-horror movie from the C2 Motion Picture Group.

The high-concept feature comes with a strong horror pedigree. It is toplined by Samara Weaving, a star in the genre thanks to Ready or Not and The Babysitter movie series, and was directed by E.L. Katz, a rising name who has directed episodes of Haunting of Bly Manor and Channel Zero. And it was written by Simon Barrett, the scribe behind fan favorites The Guest and You’re Next.

No distribution plans were revealed, but there is hope for a theatrical release.

Azrael is set in a world in which no one speaks and centers on a devout, female-led community that hunts down a young woman, the self-titled character played by Weaving, who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be...