Justin Long’s horror-comedy ‘Lice’ acquired for 2027 theatrical release

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• A Parasitic Outbreak Turns Teens Into Savages
• Justin Long Joins Star-Studded Cast Led by Emile Hirsch
• Jonathan Bensimon’s Feature Directorial Debut Lands Major Distribution
• Why This Groovy 1980s Creature Feature Actually Terrifies Audiences
• Will ‘Lice’ Become the Breakout Horror Hit of Early 2027?
  • Sources

Justin Long is heading to a 1980s high school nightmare next year. Magenta Light Studios just acquired theatrical rights to the horror-comedy ‘Lice’ for a Q1 2027 release. Welcome to a parasitic apocalypse that blends The Breakfast Club with primal survival horror.

A Parasitic Outbreak Turns Teens Into Savages

Lice is set during a deadly parasitic outbreak at a Long Island high school in the 1980s. The infection spreads rapidly among students, each victim consumed by an unbearable itch that drives them into madness. When the school goes under military lockdown, desperate teenagers trapped inside begin turning on each other in a brutal fight for survival. The concept blends classic teen drama with primal horror, creating something genuinely unprecedented in the genre.

The film’s premise has drawn immediate comparisons to iconic properties. “The Breakfast Club meets Lord of the Flies” is how insiders describe the mashup. What starts as a school-day nightmare escalates into absolute anarchy, with infected students losing their humanity to the parasite’s control. The 1980s setting adds retro atmosphere, transforming the era’s fashion and attitudes into horror backdrop.

Justin Long Joins Star-Studded Cast Led by Emile Hirsch

Justin Long anchors the ensemble alongside Emile Hirsch, who earned recognition for The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Kevin Connolly rounds out the trio as additional lead support through the chaos. The cast was first announced in May 2025, and production wrapped smoothly ahead of acquisition. Later additions include Joelle Farrow and Emilie Bierre, expanding the ensemble of high school victims and survivors.

Emile Hirsch plays Mr. Shanker, the burnt-out science teacher attempting to make sense of the outbreak. According to available reports, Hirsch’s character serves as the only adult navigating the student chaos, uncovering traces of a government experiment gone wrong. This adult perspective grounds the film’s most absurd moments.

Jonathan Bensimon’s Feature Directorial Debut Lands Major Distribution

Detail	Information
Release Date	Q1 2027 (January-March)
Distributor	Magenta Light Studios
Director	Jonathan Bensimon (feature debut)
Writers	Anthony Musella, Shaun Harris

Jonathan Bensimon makes his feature directorial debut with Lice, helming a script crafted by Anthony Musella and Shaun Harris. The acquisition by Bob Yari’s Magenta Light Studios signals serious commercial confidence in the project. 2026 acquisition of distribution rights typically indicates pre-release screenings and industry buzz have proven the film’s commercial potential.

‘A parasitic invasion of lice is set to hit Long Island in an upcoming feature described as a horror mashup of The Breakfast Club and Lord of the Flies.’

— Variety, Industry Trade Coverage

Why This Groovy 1980s Creature Feature Actually Terrifies Audiences

The brilliance of Lice lies in its simple premise executed with maximum dread. Horror fans have grown accustomed to zombie films, alien invasions, and supernatural haunts. A parasitic outbreak at school, however, taps into genuine childhood trauma. Every student remembers lice infection fears, the shampoo warnings, the social stigma. Elevating this childhood embarrassment into actual body horror and survival thriller creates uncomfortable familiarity.

The isolated setting amplifies claustrophobia. When military quarantine seals the building, escape becomes impossible. Students aren’t fighting external monsters, they’re fighting each other, fighting themselves. This peer-versus-peer dynamic mirrors The Breakfast Club‘s social hierarchy breakdown while adding Lord of the Flies‘ descent into savagery. The combination produces completely fresh horror territory for 2027 audiences.

Will ‘Lice’ Become the Breakout Horror Hit of Early 2027?

Acquisition announcements alone don’t guarantee box office dominance, but Magenta Light Studios choosing theatrical distribution over streaming suggests real theatrical ambitions. The Q1 2027 window offers minimal major competition, giving Lice potential breathing room. Horror audiences have proven incredibly loyal to creature features and creature-specific threats. A24’s success with elevated horror opened doors for genre films exploring social dynamics alongside scares.

Will Justin Long finally land his breakout horror moment? Will Jonathan Bensimon‘s debut shock festival crowds and land prestige recognition? These questions define Lice‘s potential trajectory. The 1980s nostalgia combined with parasitic body horror and social breakdown creates compelling marketing angles. Early 2027 may belong to infected high school outcasts and their desperate fight for survival against an unstoppable parasite.

Sources

• Deadline – Exclusive distribution and studio acquisition reporting
• Bloody Disgusting – Horror community coverage and cast details
• Variety – Industry trade announcement of parasitic horror mashup concept