She made an impressive debut with chilling horror The Babadook and now Jennifer Kent has set up her next project. The writer/director is on board to adapt Alexis Coe’s non-fiction book Alice + Freda Forever.
Coe researched the real-life tragic love story of Alice Mitchell and Freda Ward, who developed a deep romantic relationship in Memphis, Tennessee in 1892. But when their love letters were discovered, there were forbidden from ever speaking again. While Ward apparently adjusted to the situation, Mitchell’s broken heart drove her to jealous, murderous rage, which then sparked one of the most sensational court cases of its time.
Kent’s first film showed a deft touch with emotional material and a grasp on writing great, nuanced roles for women, so this feels like something she could use to make a great film. Executive producer Carla Hacken, who is on board to shepherd the film alongside Greg Berlanti and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, feels Kent is the right choice. “From the moment we saw The Babadook, working with Jennifer became not only a priority but a passion,” Hacken said in a statement picked up by Deadline. Kent is also developing family drama Whoever Brought Me Here and period drama The Nightingale.