Parasomnia Productions, launched in 2021 through a partnership between Moana Films and Sony Pictures, aims to promote low-budget French genre films across various styles like horror and science fiction. Industry leaders highlight the potential for creative talent in France, drawing comparisons to Blumhouse while emphasizing unique influences. The label’s first release, 37: The Shadow and the Prey, is a thrilling debut directed by Arthur Môlard, featuring a tense narrative that explores dark themes and character dynamics within a modest budget.
Introducing Parasomnia Productions: A New Era for French Genre Cinema
In 2021, an exciting collaboration between Moana Films and Sony Pictures gave birth to Parasomnia Productions, a fresh label dedicated to fostering and showcasing low-budget French genre films. This initiative, often dubbed the French Blumhouse, encompasses a diverse array of genres, including fantasy, horror, thrillers, and science fiction.
Insights from Industry Leaders
During the announcement of Parasomnia’s launch, we had the opportunity to speak with Marc Missonnier, the CEO of Moana Films, and Stéphane Huard, the President of Sony Pictures France. They emphasized the importance of this new label, with Missonnier stating, “There are talented individuals in France passionate about genre films who seek a platform for their creativity. While I wouldn’t claim that France is behind in this sector, there is certainly potential for increased output. More films lead to greater diversity, and it’s this diversity that brings forth delightful surprises.”
Huard echoed this sentiment, remarking, “The French film landscape is brimming with talented individuals eager to create genre films. Furthermore, there is a burgeoning audience in theaters for these types of movies.”
Missonnier also addressed comparisons to the American studio established by Jason Blum, explaining, “While Blumhouse is undoubtedly a compelling reference, it isn’t the only one. I previously founded a genre film label, Bee Movies, and I’m thrilled to return to this venture now in partnership with Sony.”
37: The Shadow and the Prey – A Gripping Debut
The inaugural film from the label is the intense thriller, 37: The Shadow and the Prey. Marking the directorial debut of Arthur Môlard, this film features rising stars Guillaume Pottier and Mélodie Simina, who are both nominees for the Revelations at the 2025 César Awards.
In this gripping narrative, Pottier portrays Vincent, a truck driver who offers a ride to a young woman who claims her name is Thirty-Seven (played by Simina). However, her peculiar behavior soon raises Vincent’s suspicions. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Vincent may not be as innocent as he initially appears, leading to a dangerous game between the two that rapidly spirals out of control.
Môlard draws inspiration from classic thrillers like Duel by Steven Spielberg and The Hitcher by Robert Harmon, which will resonate with cinephiles throughout the film. He notes in the press kit that Duel influenced his portrayal of the truck as a monstrous presence, while The Hitcher captivates him with its “clear, streamlined narrative.” Môlard aims to transform simple characters into iconic, almost mythological figures.
Among his other influences, Môlard references The Hitcher as a prime example of a road thriller with a straightforward narrative and mentions Sorcerer for its transition from realism to a dreamlike atmosphere, exploring increasingly internal landscapes.
Shot over 21 days with a modest budget of one million euros, 37: The Shadow and the Prey delivers a compelling thriller experience. The filmmaker explains, “A month prior to filming, the script was originally 90 pages long and included several flashbacks about Thirty-Seven’s past. We had to streamline the narrative, condensing it into dialogue, which ultimately intensified the film while retaining only the essential action.”
The outcome is a powerful film that carries a political undertone. 37: The Shadow and the Prey is an essential viewing experience in theaters.