"Reality is the most pernicious fiction."
An acclaimed author's obsession with an unsolved crime spirals into a nightmarish journey, blurring the lines between her reality and fiction — as a very real danger lurks in the shadows.
The psychological thriller is one of the most commercially resilient genres in independent cinema. Comparables demonstrate that prestige talent + smart narrative + restrained budget consistently unlocks global theatrical distribution and premium streaming — often achieving 6–25× budget multiples at box office alone.
The Unravelling targets the same female-led, psychologically complex sweet spot occupied by Gone Girl and Girl on the Train — both Universal releases — at a fraction of their production cost, with a confirmed Oscar-level creative team already in place.
The structural edge: with 91.7% of budget targeted in soft money and active conversations with Universal Pictures and Netflix, the investor's risk profile is materially lower than any comparable title at this stage of development.
Irish Section 481 — confirmed. 40% of qualifying expenditure (capped at 80% of budget), yielding 32% of total budget secured before a single investor signs.
€3,532,000 in combined soft money at full close. Residual equity gap reduces to €318,000. Eurimages and additional European soft finance options under active exploration.
€1,050,000 in pay-or-play offers structured by Casting Director Elaine Granger. A €105,000 signing fee on acceptance unlocks €2.3M+ in soft finance. Fully returnable if talent declines.
First-close investors hold right of first refusal on instalments two and three at the same terms.
Irish Section 481 Film Tax Credit — confirmed (40% of qualifying expenditure / 32% of total budget). Discountable with a senior lender to accelerate cash position during production.
Confirmed€3,532,000 (91.7% of budget) upon talent attachment — Screen Ireland, Regional Funding, Sales MG, UK AVEC uplift and Eurimages (under exploration). Residual equity gap reduces to €318,000 at full close.
€1,050,000 structured by Casting Director Elaine Granger (Inception, Batman Begins). Milestone-linked, fully returnable. A €105K signing fee on acceptance unlocks €2.3M+ in soft money. No investor capital at risk through the attachment process.
Oscar-nominated Director, Oscar-winning DP and Oscar-winning Producer — all from the same landmark film. A rare alignment of talent at this independent budget level.
Oscar-Level TeamActive conversations with Universal Pictures and Netflix. Psychological thriller with proven commercial mandate fit across global theatrical and premium streaming windows.
Lead EP slot (£250K+) available with named credit and 120% recoupment premium. EIS Advance Assurance in preparation — UK taxpayers may access 30% income tax relief.
EIS Eligible| Finance Component | Amount | % Budget | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Section 481 Tax Credit¹ | €1,232,000 | 32.0% | Secured |
| Screen Ireland Production Finance | €500,000 | 13.0% | In Process |
| Regional Funding | €300,000 | 7.8% | In Process |
| Sales Minimum Guarantee | €1,500,000 | 39.0% | Triggered by Talent |
| Total Soft Money Target | €3,532,000 | 91.7% | Target |
| Equity Required (Current) | €2,618,000 | 68.0% | Investor Requirement |
| Residual Equity Gap (at full close) | €318,000 | 8.3% | Residual |
| Total Budget — World Rights | €3,850,000 | 100% | — |
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As unsecured soft money is confirmed — principally upon talent attachment — the equity requirement reduces progressively from €2,618,000 toward a residual €318,000 at full close. The signing fee of €105,000 (10% of total cast fees, drawn from escrow on acceptance) unlocks access to an additional €2.3M+ in unsecured soft finance. Additional European soft money options — including Eurimages — are under active exploration; these require talent attachment before applications can be progressed, making the escrow mechanism both investor-protective and strategically essential to maximising the soft money ceiling. Every incremental soft money component confirmed reduces the equity requirement on a euro-for-euro basis.
¹ Irish Section 481 is calculated at 40% of qualifying expenditure. As qualifying expenditure is capped at 80% of total production budget, the net effective rate against total budget is 32% — reflected in the figures above.
Active pay-or-play offers (€1.05M escrowed) are pending on the three lead roles: Jessica Young, Peter Young and The Caretaker. The Journalist is wishlist-only — no offer is currently pending for this role.
| Talent | Character | Role | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tessa Thompson | Jessica Young | Lead | €400,000 | Offer Pending |
| Michael Fassbender | Peter Young | Lead | €500,000 | Offer Pending |
| Brendan Gleeson | Jim Henderson | Supporting Lead | €150,000 | Offer Pending |
| Total Pay-or-Play | €1,050,000 | Escrowed | ||
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Cast fees structured in consultation with Casting Director Elaine Granger (Inception, Batman Begins). Funds placed in escrow and fully returnable if any offer is not accepted. On signature: a signing fee of €105,000 (10% of total cast fees) is released from escrow — this single step unlocks €2.3M+ in unsecured soft finance. The balance (90%) is released across production milestones. Pay-or-play at this level of talent is standard industry practice and essential to securing commitment from actors of this calibre.
All investment structures are subject to formal legal documentation. This page does not constitute a financial promotion or an offer of securities. Independent financial, tax and legal advice is recommended. Film is a high-risk asset class.
Triple winner, Young Director Award (Cannes Lions). IFTA nominated. A.M.P.A.S. voting member. Graduate of the National Film School of Ireland.
Oscar Nominated — DetainmentThe War of the Worlds, Willow, Patrick Melrose, The Acolyte, Your Honor. Royal Photographic Society Fellow 2020.
Oscar Winner — All Quiet on the Western FrontNetflix's All Quiet on the Western Front (4 Oscars, 7 BAFTAs), Sergio (Sundance premiere), Oscar-nominated 'No'. MFA, AFI.
Oscar Winner — All Quiet on the Western FrontFounder & CEO, The Markit Group. 20+ years in film and television. Co-founder, Gold Movie Awards®. Over $20M raised across slate.
Founder, Zanzibar Films (est. 1998). Over 41 award-winning productions. Partner, Nantosuelta Entertainment Films. Jury winner, Hot Docs Toronto.
Almeida Theatre, Sky's Yonderland, Disney's Cruella, Showtime's Ghosts of Beirut. BA English Literature, Royal Holloway. MA Acting, East 15.
Credits include Inception (Christopher Nolan) and Batman Begins, alongside an extensive career across premium studio and independent productions internationally.
Inception · Batman BeginsFull creative vision — director's treatment, visual tone, synopsis, cast wishlist and project positioning.
Essential overview — ask, secured finance, capital stack, creative package, talent and investor position at a glance.
12-page institutional-grade memorandum — budget breakdown, full capital stack, EIS structure, recoupment waterfall, risk summary and delivery timeline.
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