British actor Haley Bishop, best known for her acclaimed performance in AMC Shudder’s horror hit Host, has officially been cast as the lead in the upcoming action-horror feature film “For the Good of the Herd.” The project, written and directed by Mark Pritchard, will begin principal photography in the United Kingdom this November. Toronto-based Clever Creature Inc. is bringing the film to the American Film Market (AFM), marking a significant new addition to its growing slate of genre-driven titles.
The announcement comes as part of Clever Creature’s push into international horror productions, partnering with Screen Anthology and Limbo Pictures to deliver a film that promises to blend high-stakes survival, psychological depth, and unflinching social commentary. “For the Good of the Herd” centers on Zoe, a lone survivor portrayed by Haley Bishop, who is haunted by her past and forced to confront the darkness within herself when society collapses.
The story explores themes of belief, morality, and primal instinct — combining elements of survivalist horror and psychological thriller. Director Mark Pritchard describes the film as “a study of how far people will go when their moral boundaries are pushed to the limit.” Production is being led by Clever Creature’s managing partner Michaelangelo Masangkay, alongside Michael Galvan and Sebastien Bazile of Screen Anthology. Tim Willrich of Limbo Pictures joins as the U.K. producer.
The film’s executive producers include Michael Tomczyk, Kevin Sand, Giselle Gastell, Bianca Consuji, and Donovan Rodriques, each contributing to what’s expected to be one of AFM 2025’s standout genre titles.
Quotes and Reactions
Director Mark Pritchard outlined his creative intent, saying,
“This story examines the impact of malign belief structures and the sheer will it takes to deny them. For me, humans are the most terrifying monsters. The blurring of lines around belief exposes our barbaric nature. Our characters live within those blurred lines, and that’s where the real horror lies.”
Star Haley Bishop expressed her excitement about the role, emphasizing the balance of action and psychological storytelling:
“Zoe is a survivor who’s trying to shed the guilt of her past but realizes she must embrace her darker impulses to stay alive. It’s a character study wrapped in visceral, blood-soaked action. And yes, getting to be the badass final girl covered in blood is every horror actor’s dream.”
Producer Michaelangelo Masangkay added,
“This project represents the type of bold, genre-driven storytelling that Clever Creature champions. Mark Pritchard’s vision taps into primal fear while exploring deep social questions — and with Haley Bishop leading the cast, it’s a perfect fusion of star power and creative ambition.”
AFM and Global Appeal
Haley Bishop’s involvement has generated strong early interest ahead of AFM 2025. Known for her breakout in Host, Bishop’s credibility in horror cinema positions For the Good of the Herd for wide global appeal.
Industry analysts suggest the film could become one of the most talked-about indie genre projects of the year, especially given its balance of psychological storytelling and commercial action-horror elements.
Clever Creature’s track record of developing elevated genre films across Canada, Europe, and Asia adds further weight to its market prospects. By combining Bishop’s star appeal with Pritchard’s distinct storytelling, the production is expected to resonate with distributors looking for prestige horror with mainstream reach.
The collaboration between Canadian, U.K., and international producers also reflects a growing trend of cross-regional partnerships aimed at maximizing global exposure for independent films.
Timeline and Release Outlook
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in November 2025 in the U.K., with post-production expected to conclude by early 2026.
Following its debut at AFM, the film will target the international festival circuit in mid-2026, with theatrical and digital distribution plans expected to be finalized shortly afterward.
Clever Creature continues to expand its development pipeline, recently unveiling remakes of Roger Corman’s cult classics and a lineup of action, horror, and elevated drama titles designed to attract global audiences.
For fans of Haley Bishop and modern horror, For the Good of the Herd represents a significant upcoming release to watch as the AFM unfolds.
Sources
Official References:
Variety (Naman Ramachandran, November 2, 2025)
Yahoo Entertainment
Clever Creature Inc. Press Release
American Film Market (AFM) 2025 Listings
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