Get ready for a heart-pounding journey into the depths of human resilience—Shailene Woodley is set to star in Ultra, a psychological thriller that promises to blur the lines between physical endurance and emotional survival. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a race through one of the harshest environments on Earth truly become a metaphor for confronting personal trauma? Let’s dive in.
Shailene Woodley, best known for her role in Divergent, has signed on to lead Ultra, a gripping film written and directed by Victoria Negri (Gold Star). Produced by Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read of Savage Rose Films—the minds behind Everything Everywhere All at Once—alongside Iris Torres (In Dubious Battle), this project boasts a powerhouse team. Executive producers include Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti from End Cue (The History Of Sound) and Toby Halbrooks of Sailor Bear (The Green Knight). With Mister Smith Entertainment handling international sales and WME Independent managing U.S. distribution, Ultra is poised to captivate audiences worldwide when it debuts at the 2025 AFM.
The story? Brace yourself. After the devastating loss of her twin sister, Eve (Woodley) embarks on the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon—a grueling 135-mile race through Death Valley, where temperatures soar to a scorching 54°C. But this isn’t just a test of physical strength; it’s a psychological gauntlet. As Eve battles the relentless desert, she’s pursued by a mysterious runner in white, steadily closing the gap. Is this figure a manifestation of her grief, or something more sinister? In her desperate attempt to outrun this ominous presence, Eve must confront her deepest fears and uncover the true strength within herself.
And this is the part most people miss: Ultra isn’t just a thriller—it’s a deeply personal exploration of loss and resilience. Victoria Negri draws from her own life, inspired by her father’s journey as a distance runner who was paralyzed by a stroke. ‘Running, the thing that gave him life, was taken from him,’ Negri reflects. ‘It’s through testing my limits in ultramarathons that I process loss—physical pain being the greatest metaphor for the emotional.’ Having completed two 100-mile races, numerous 50-milers, and countless marathons, Negri brings raw authenticity to Eve’s struggle.
Negri describes Ultra as a ‘visceral descent into inner turmoil,’ where Eve’s inability to confront her grief becomes a haunting chase through the unforgiving desert. But here’s the bold question: Can extreme physical challenges truly heal emotional wounds, or do they merely postpone the inevitable reckoning? We’ll let you decide.
As Ultra gears up for production, one thing is clear: this film will push boundaries—both on screen and within its audience. Will you be ready to face the darkness alongside Eve? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
