Deadline broke the news last march that something wicked this way comes in the form of a witchy new feature film called Forbidden Fruits. Or more specifically, that the film has officially been acquired by IFC Films and Shudder for distribution in the U.S. and Canada.
Starring Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, and Emma Chamberlain, the movie centers around a witchy cult for women that meets in a mall basement after its members have wrapped up their shifts for the day. Things take a turn with the arrival of a new recruit named Pumpkin, who "challenges their performative sisterhood."
Forbidden Fruits will be the feature directorial debut for Meredith Alloway, who has several short films and a 2020 Paris Jackson music video under her belt. The script is based on a play by Lily Houghton — Of the Women Came the Beginning of Sin, and Through Her We All Die — that first premiered Off-Broadway in October 2019 and was billed as a "dynamic new play about the dangers of commercializing millennial femininity."
Houghton and Alloway worked together as co-writers to adapt the play for the screen.
Production on Forbidden Fruits is currently underway, with the movie’s official Instagram sharing a cute video to celebrate shortly after the distribution news came out.
The list of producers includes Mason Novick, Trent Hubbard, Mary Anne Waterhouse, and, notably, Diablo Cody.
"Forbidden Fruits grabbed me by the neck the very first time I read it," Cody previously told Deadline. "It’s one of the craziest, most creative, beautifully bonkers projects I’ve ever worked on. I feel so lucky to be collaborating with Meredith and Lily, who have become heroes of mine in short order."
Needless to say, we have been seated for months. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming movie, including who’s starring in it, whether it’s queer, and when and where it’s finally coming out.
What's the official synopsis of 'Forbidden Fruits'?
So what exactly is this film about? According to the official synopsis, it follows a Free Eden employee named Apple (how biblical!) who, when she isn’t clocked in for her 9-to-5 at the mall, is leading a secret witchy femme cult in the mall’s basement. She’s joined by a veritable fruit salad of fellow devotees, Cherry and Fig.
However, things take a turn for the coven when a girl named Pumpkin is hired and begins questioning and challenging their ideas about performative sisterhood. Soon, they’re “forced to face their own poisons—or succumb to a bloody fate.”
Who is starring in 'Forbidden Fruits'?
The film boasts an all-star cast of sapphics and sapphic faves.
The film boasts an all-star cast of sapphics and sapphic faves. Out actresses Lili Reinhart and Alexandra Shipp star as Apple and Fig, respectively. Lola Tung stars as Pumpkin, Victoria Pedretti as Cherry, and Emma Chamberlain as Pickle. Rounding out the cast is Gabrielle Union, who stars as Sharon.
Is 'Forbidden Fruits' queer?
Forbidden Fruits
Shudder
Ok, let’s get to the question we’re all wondering: will they all kiss? While there’s no confirmation that this is a WLW kind of gig, the sapphic vibes are strong. We’d be surprised if there isn’t at least one member of the coven who’s family, but there’s no official confirmation yet.
Is there a 'Forbidden Fruits' trailer?
There sure is!
When and where can you watch 'Forbidden Fruits'?
Forbidden Fruits
Shudder
That—and many more important questions—will be answered when the film hits theaters on March 20, 2026, after making its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin earlier that month.
