Halsey to Lead and Co-Write New Psycho-Sexual Horror Feature ‘Replacer’
Halsey is expanding her creative footprint in Hollywood, moving beyond supporting roles to take a central hand in a new genre project. The musician and actress is set to star in and co-write Replacer, a “psycho-sexual horror” feature that marks a significant step in her evolving career as a multidisciplinary artist.
The project, directed by her fiancé Avan Jogia, represents a deepening of Halsey’s immersion into the horror genre. Following her recent on-screen appearances, this new endeavor positions her not just as a performer, but as a primary architect of the film’s narrative and atmosphere.
A Descent into Montreal’s Underground
Set against the gritty, atmospheric backdrop of Montreal, Replacer follows the story of Proxy, a troubled DJ played by Halsey. The narrative finds Proxy stranded in the city, where she eventually becomes entangled with a mysterious underground radio collective. As the story unfolds, the boundary between broadcast and reality begins to blur.
The plot centers on a strange, anomalous signal discovered deep within the city’s subway tunnels. This signal reportedly begins to mutate the station’s broadcasts, with the potential to influence the very listeners tuning in. The resulting descent into madness promises to blend the visceral tension of a thriller with the surreal elements of psychological horror.
A Creative Partnership and Directorial Evolution
The film serves as another high-profile collaboration between Halsey and Avan Jogia. The pair, who first went public with their relationship in 2023 and became engaged in 2024, are increasingly aligning their professional interests. Jogia, who gained recognition for his roles in Victorious and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, is continuing his transition into directing following his 2023 feature debut, Door Mouse.
Jogia has described the tonal landscape of the film as a hybrid experience. According to the director, Replacer is intended to be a “bright and electric club horror” that is simultaneously a “vulnerable romantic story about belonging and community.”
Visionary Pedigree and Genre Influences
The production carries significant weight within the horror community, bolstered by the involvement of Lilly Wachowski. One-half of the duo behind the seminal The Matrix franchise, Wachowski is serving as an executive producer through Anarchists United.
Wachowski has praised the script’s unique energy, describing the work co-written by Halsey and Jogia as a “surreal hyper-dive into a twitchy, conspiratorial genre mashing snarl of horror/thriller/comedy.” She noted that the film captures a “rarely glimpsed Montreal subculture” and suggested that the creative vision draws heavily from the aesthetic traditions of masters like David Cronenberg, John Carpenter, Tony Scott, and Alex Cox.
Navigating a Dual Career in Music and Film
For Halsey, Replacer represents her most substantial on-camera role to date. She has spent the last two years steadily building her filmography, with notable co-starring turns in 2023’s Americana and the 2024 horror hit MaXXXine. This new project suggests a move toward more complex, character-driven narratives where she can exert greater creative control through her writing.
While she continues to develop her acting career, Halsey remains deeply committed to her musical roots. She is scheduled to embark on a summer tour across Europe, a journey that is slated to begin on June 13 in the Czech Republic. This dual momentum highlights the multifaceted nature of her current professional era, balancing the demands of international touring with the intensive requirements of film production.
As production details for Replacer continue to emerge, the industry will be watching to see how the collaboration between Halsey and Jogia shapes the next wave of psychological horror. Official release dates and further casting announcements are expected in the coming months.
Have thoughts on Halsey’s move into writing and horror? We invite you to share your comments and join the conversation below.
