A single script landed on the 2024 Black List, caught the attention of industry veterans, and sparked a quiet bidding war. Now, Bleecker Street has officially secured the U.S. rights to NDA, a psychological thriller that marks the feature directorial debut of Audrey Ellis Fox.

This isn't just another acquisition. It is a calculated play for a project that has already generated significant heat. The film, which is currently in production in New York City, centers on Dana—played by Rachel Zegler—as she navigates a grueling day of mediation for an office harassment claim. As the clock ticks toward a final, immutable deadline, the story forces a confrontation between the truth and the high cost of silence.

The Talent Behind the Tension

Bleecker Street is betting on a powerhouse cast to carry the film’s claustrophobic premise. Zegler, coming off a Golden Globe win for West Side Story and a string of high-profile roles in The Hunger Games and Snow White, anchors the project. She is joined by Penn Badgley, whose work on Netflix’s You has made him a master of the psychological thriller genre, and Oscar nominee Amy Ryan, known for her sharp turns in Gone Baby Gone and The Office.

For director Audrey Ellis Fox, the project represents a rapid ascent. Her original screenplay was selected for the 2023 Women in Film X Black List’s Feature Residency, a program designed to fast-track scripts with strong commercial and artistic potential. By the time the script reached Bleecker Street, it was already being described as one of the most compelling narratives in the current development pipeline.

Why Bleecker Street Made the Move

Kent Sanderson, CEO of Bleecker Street, didn't mince words about the acquisition. He called the script one of the best he has read in recent years. For an independent studio, the strategy is clear: prioritize filmmaker-driven projects that offer a distinct, high-tension hook over broad, expensive franchise bets.

Production is currently underway. The film is backed by a consortium of producers, including Mighty Engine’s Jared Ian Goldman and Zola Elgart Glassman, alongside Snoot’s Keith Calder and Jess Wu Calder. The involvement of these producers, who have a track record of shepherding elevated genre fare, suggests the film is being positioned for a serious festival run or a prestige theatrical release.

Key Takeaways

  • The Premise: NDA follows a high-stakes mediation session for an office harassment claim, focusing on the psychological toll of silence.
  • The Talent: The film stars Rachel Zegler, Penn Badgley, and Amy Ryan, with Audrey Ellis Fox making her feature directorial debut.
  • The Strategy: Bleecker Street acquired the U.S. rights to the project while it is still in active production in New York City.

What Comes Next

With cameras currently rolling in New York, the production team is operating on a tight timeline. The film’s success will hinge on whether Fox can translate the script’s tension into a visual language that sustains the audience's focus through a single-day narrative. The next major milestone for the project will be its first public screening, likely at a major festival in early 2026. By then, the question will be whether this high-concept thriller can translate its critical buzz into a breakout performance at the box office.