Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Star in Thriller Turpentine

Melissa McCarthy eyes a darker role in the upcoming thriller Turpentine.

Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Star in Thriller Turpentine From Craig Zobel

A new character-driven thriller is taking shape as Melissa McCarthy enters talks to star in Turpentine, the latest project from Craig Zobel.

The film is based on a screenplay by Justin Varava, which gained attention after landing on the 2024 Black List, an annual survey of notable unproduced scripts.

Turpentine centers on a financially desperate son who orchestrates a plan to rob his own parents with the help of friends in order to pay off a bookie. The situation escalates quickly, with the fallout driving the story into darker territory.

Production is being handled by T-Street and ShivHans Pictures, two companies with recent activity across both mainstream and independent projects.

Zobel’s involvement positions the film within a grounded, tension-driven framework. His past work includes films like Compliance and Z for Zachariah, along with television credits on series such as Mare of Easttown and The Penguin. His 2020 feature The Hunt also placed him within the horror-thriller space, blending satire with genre elements.

For McCarthy, the role would continue a shift into more dramatic territory. Known for both comedic and dramatic performances, she has received Academy Award nominations for Bridesmaids and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and continues to take on roles that move between genres.

Additional casting, production timelines, and release details for Turpentine have not yet been announced.

The project adds to a growing slate of mid-budget thrillers centered on contained narratives and character-driven conflict, with a focus on moral decisions and their consequences.