A strange new horror film is preparing to unsettle audiences this spring. Saccharine is the latest supernatural body horror feature from director Natalie Erika James, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror film Relic. Blending psychological terror, supernatural elements, and biting commentary on modern beauty standards, the upcoming movie offers a chilling premise that is as bizarre as it is disturbing.
The story follows Hana, a lonely medical student played by Midori Francis, who becomes obsessed with losing weight after discovering an unusual and controversial diet trend. The extreme “solution” involves consuming capsules made from human ashes—an idea that seems like a miracle shortcut to transformation. But Hana quickly learns that some shortcuts come with terrifying consequences. Soon after beginning the bizarre regimen, she begins experiencing supernatural disturbances and realizes she may be haunted by the very person whose remains she has consumed.
As the haunting intensifies, Hana’s life spirals into paranoia and psychological horror. What begins as a desperate attempt to change her body evolves into a nightmare that forces her to confront the dangers of obsession, self-image, and the toxic pressures surrounding beauty and weight loss. The film leans heavily into body horror territory, exploring how the desire for physical perfection can consume someone both mentally and physically.
The film also stars Danielle Macdonald and Madeleine Madden, alongside veteran actor Robert Taylor. Together, the cast brings the unsettling story to life as Hana’s world becomes increasingly distorted by guilt, supernatural forces, and the horrifying realization that she may have invited something dark into her life.
Running just under two hours, Saccharine premiered during the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festivalbefore heading toward a wider release. The film is scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on May 22, 2026, with a streaming debut expected later on the horror-focused platform Shudder.
With its unsettling premise, supernatural themes, and commentary on society’s obsession with appearance, Saccharine looks to deliver a disturbing blend of psychological horror and grotesque body horror that will leave audiences questioning just how far someone might go to change themselves.