Divide/Conquer Boards As Cast Is Set For New Micro-Budget Horror 'Play House'

Production company behind hits like M3GAN and Freaky champions emerging filmmakers through Fantastic Pitches initiative.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The landscape of horror filmmaking is shifting, with production company Divide/Conquer at the forefront. Known for hits like M3GAN and Freaky, the company is now championing a new wave of micro-budget horror projects through initiatives like Fantastic Pitches. Their latest film, Play House, received $100,000 in production financing and boasts a cast blending established actors and rising stars.

Why it matters

Divide/Conquer's focus on smaller budgets allows for greater creative freedom, while the horror genre's consistent profitability makes micro-budget films an appealing investment. The company's Fantastic Pitches initiative and partnership with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster demonstrate a commitment to nurturing new talent and delivering commercially viable, yet creatively engaging, horror content.

The details

Play House, currently in production in Los Angeles, was selected through the Fantastic Pitches initiative, a collaboration between Fantastic Fest and Chroma that empowers emerging filmmakers with limited resources. The project's premise - a man uncovering disturbing tapes in a renovated house - taps into classic horror tropes with a modern twist, suggesting a focus on psychological tension and atmosphere over expensive special effects.

  • Divide/Conquer was founded in 2013.
  • The company has produced over 30 feature films to date.
  • Divide/Conquer recently signed a first-look deal with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, with Doomtown as their first project in development.

The players

Divide/Conquer

A film and television production company known for producing horror and thriller films, including M3GAN and Freaky.

Fantastic Pitches

A micro-budget genre initiative that awards production financing to promising horror projects.

Will Harrison

An actor known for his role in Daisy Jones & The Six, starring in Play House.

Jessica Sula

An actress who appeared in Split, also starring in Play House.

Jordan Gonzalez

A rising actor recently featured in The Long Walk, part of the Play House cast.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The first project under Divide/Conquer's new partnership with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster is Doomtown, signaling a continued commitment to delivering commercially viable and creatively engaging horror content.

The takeaway

Divide/Conquer's embrace of micro-budget projects and partnerships with initiatives like Fantastic Pitches suggests a future where originality and storytelling take precedence over massive budgets, leading to a more diverse and exciting landscape for genre filmmaking.