EXCLUSIVE: Anna Lou Castoldi, granddaughter of Giallo legend Dario Argento (Suspiria), is exec-producing and narrating giallo-inspired Artichoke.
Alyson Gorske (Obliterated) stars as “a young woman trapped in a macabre fever dream, ruthlessly exploring the cages we create for ourselves and others in complex human relationships”. She will be joined onscreen by genre vet Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles).
Amir Moini, a former comms manager at Netflix, Chief Marketing Officer at Fangoria and current Tubi Director of Executive Communications, is directing the short, his second after Screamfest film Slashr.
Writer is Adam Van Dyke of Skull Globe Productions. Bria O’Brien and Sam Van Dyke will produce for Skull Globe Productions. Prince Chenoa will serve as executive producer for Galore. Production is due to begin in early 2026 in Castroville, California, known for its large artichokes.
The full synopsis reads: “Held captive in a violent relationship, a woman named Cynara (Gorske) discovers a phoropter that opens a portal to another world. In a terrifying cat and mouse chase between worlds, Cynara finally comes face to face with The Man (Dekker) and must decide what she’s willing to destroy, in order to survive.”
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Skull Globe Productions, Galore, Anna, Thomas and Alyson to create Artichoke,” said Moini. “As a lover of the visceral style of giallo and art-house cinema, we are excited to join together to create something that is both ethereal and haunting.”
Dekker added: “Artichoke is pure cinema. An abstract peek into a thematically complex space where sensation and visual provocation reign and narrative questions are boldly asked and then left to hang in the ripe and dazzling air of its world.”
Italian actress Lou Castoldi previously starred in feature Netflix series Baby and feature Misunderstood, directed by her mother, actress Asia Argento.
Gorske is repped by Buchwald and Sweeney Entertainment. Dekker is repped by Untitled Entertainment. Castoldi is repped by CDA Studio Di Nardo.
