The Shrouds

The Shrouds (Les Linceuls) is a 2024 arthouse horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg, and starring Diane Kruger, Vincent Cassel, and Guy Pearce. The film is a co-production between Canada and France.

The Shrouds had its world premiere in Main Competition section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2024. The film is scheduled to be released theatrically in France by Pyramide Distribution on 22 January 2025.

Premise
Karsh, 50, is a prominent businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents GraveTech, revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed's corpses as they decay in their shrouds. One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. Karsh sets out to track down the perpetrators.

Cast

 * Vincent Cassel as Karsh
 * Diane Kruger as Becca / Terry / Hunny
 * Guy Pearce as Maury
 * Sandrine Holt as Soo-Min Szabo
 * Elizabeth Saunders as Gray Foner
 * Jennifer Dale as Myrna Slotnik
 * Eric Weinthal as Dr. Hofstra
 * Steve Switzman as Dr. Jerry Eckler
 * Jeff Yung as Dr. Rory Zhao

Production
The concept was originally envisaged as a television series for Netflix, with Cronenberg writing two episodes before the plans were cancelled by Netflix.

Saïd Ben Saïd and Martin Katz produced the film for Prospero Pictures and SBS International alongside co-producer Steve Solomos. The cinematographer Douglas Koch worked alongside art director Jason Clarke and production designer Carol Spier.

In an interview, Cronenberg described the film as very "personal" and "autobiographical". It is directly inspired by his own grief at the loss of his wife, Carolyn, who died in 2017.

Casting
The project was first announced in May 2022, with Vincent Cassel attached to play the lead role. In September 2022, Léa Seydoux joined the cast. In April 2023, Diane Kruger replaced Seydoux, and Guy Pearce joined the cast. That month, Sandrine Holt also joined the cast.

Filming
Principal photography began on May 8, 2023, in Toronto, Canada, and wrapped on June 19, 2023.

Release
The film was screened in Main Competition section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2024.

The film was originally set to be released theatrically in France by Pyramide Distribution on 29 January 2025, but the release date was pushed forward to 22 January 2025.