Neon Acquires North American Rights to Japanese Thriller ‘Exit 8’

Neon has acquired the North American rights to the Japanese thriller “Exit 8.”

The film screened as part of the Midnight section at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will have its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Centerpiece section.

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Neon is planning a theatrical release for the film in early 2026.

The film is based on a video game and is directed and written by Genki Kawamura. Kawamura wrote the film with Kentaro Hirase, adapted from the game by Kotake Create. “Exit 8” stars Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu.

The story follows a man trapped in an endless, sterile subway passageway, who sets out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple: do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. But even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning. Will he ever reach his goal and escape this infinite corridor?

Sarah Colvin, Vice President of Acquisitions at Neon, negotiated the deal with CAA Media Finance, Goodfellas, TOHO and Story, who represented the filmmakers.

Neon also has Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value.” It also premiered Julia Ducournau’s “Alpha” in competition, Raoul Peck’s “Orwell: 2+2=5,” and Michael Angelo Covino’s “Splitsville “starring Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona, which Neon also produced. The studio earned its sixth consecutive Palme d’Or win with Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” and also acquired North American rights to Jury Prize winner “Sirât” from Oliver Laxe; “The Secret Agent” from best director winner Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Best Actor winner Wagner Moura; and Ugo Bienvenu’s animated adventure “Arco” produced by Natalie Portman and winner of the Cristal Award at Annecy.

Heading into Venice, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, which Neon boarded earlier this year, will make its world premiere in Venice. Later this year, at Tiff, Neon will screen “The Secret Agent,” “It Was Just An Accident,” “Sirât,” “Sentimental Value” and “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.”

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