Anna Zlokovic to Direct Black List Horror Feature The Broodmare for XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions

Filmmaker Anna Zlokovic will direct The Broodmare, a Black List horror feature produced by XYZ Films and Tea Shop.

The Appendage and V/H/S/Halloween filmmaker takes the reins on a character-driven nightmare set on a sinister horse farm.

Award-winning filmmaker Anna Zlokovic (Appendage, V/H/S/Halloween) is saddling up for her next horror project with XYZ Films and Tea Shop Productions. The two genre powerhouses have tapped Zlokovic to direct The Broodmare, a Black List horror script written by Michael Voyer, with production slated to begin in 2026.

The film follows a recovering alcoholic who visits a remote horse-breeding farm to make amends with his high school sweetheart as part of his twelve-step program — only to discover that his hosts are part of a violent, cult-like operation with terrifying plans of their own.

“As soon as we read The Broodmare, we knew we had to be a part of it,” said representatives from XYZ and Tea Shop. “It’s a searing, character-driven horror film with a finale for the ages. Anna’s brilliant vision is the perfect vehicle for Michael’s writing.”

Zlokovic, coming off the critical success of her V/H/S/Halloween segment Coochie Coochie Coo, shared her excitement about the collaboration:

“The Broodmare is the kind of script you don’t put down — and by the end, your jaw’s on the floor. I’ve never read anything like it. It’s exactly the kind of high-tension, provocative storytelling that I’ve been craving to make.”

The project continues the momentum for both production companies, whose recent collaboration Night Patrol premiered at Fantastic Fest and was acquired by IFC/Shudder for release in January 2026. XYZ and Tea Shop are also producing the upcoming UK-set thriller Banquet, directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia (The Platform) and starring Meghann Fahy.

Behind The Broodmare are Alex Williams and Aram Tertzakian for XYZ Films, alongside James Harris for Tea Shop Productions.

Zlokovic, one of IndieWire’s “28 Rising Female Filmmakers to Watch”, made her feature debut with Appendage, which premiered at SXSW and now streams globally on Hulu and Disney+. Her resume includes work featured at Sundance, Sitges, and Fantasia, marking her as one of genre cinema’s fastest-rising voices.

Represented by WME, Writ Large, and Jackoway Tyerman, Zlokovic continues to blend emotional intensity with genre craftsmanship — and The Broodmare looks to be her boldest vision yet.