Mila Kunis Teams Up With Ridley Scott for Gripping New Thriller Nightwatching

All right, here’s one to keep an eye on—especially if you’re into claustrophobic home-invasion thrillers or you just want an excuse to see Mila Kunis dodge an unnerving stranger in the dead of night. The book 'Nightwatching' landed on shelves in early 2024, courtesy of first-time author Tracy Sierra (who splits her time as an attorney). Now, Amazon MGM Studios is fast-tracking a film adaptation, and they’ve locked in some seriously big names behind the camera—and in front of it.

From Page to Screen (This One Moved Fast)

'Nightwatching' hasn’t even celebrated its first birthday, but Hollywood pounced. Sierra’s debut caught the attention of Ridley Scott (yep, that Ridley Scott), who’s bringing his Scott Free production team to the party. Mila Kunis, fresh off shooting 'Wake Up Dead Man', just signed on to star—and produce, via her new company 'Brick for Sheep'. She’s playing a mother stuck in a 'home alone in the middle of a blizzard' nightmare scenario.

So, What’s the Story?

If you haven’t cracked open the book yet, here’s the gist (and it’s pure pressure-cooker tension):

• A woman is home alone with her kids during a raging snowstorm (so, no help coming).
• In the middle of the night she hears footsteps upstairs—distinct, heavy ones—and spots a man in the shadows.
• With kids in tow, she ducks them into a hidden crawlspace behind a wall, literally a secret room in this creaky old house.
• The intruder starts hunting for them, getting creepy (“promising” the kids things, trying to shake the mom up so she comes out).
• In pitch-black terror, the mother tries to keep her cool and decide: Does she fight back? Does she risk a run for it?
• Then comes the big twist—she gets a good look at the guy. She knows him. And suddenly, things are even more complicated and dangerous than she realized.

Who’s Making This Thing?

The script’s had a few hands on it (no shock for big IP): Laura Moss and Brendan J. O'Brien started it, but the latest version comes from the duo TJ Cimfel and David White.

Directing will be Adam Schindler and Brian Netto. If those names don’t ring bells, you might have seen their work from the Sam Raimi-produced show '50 States of Fright' or the tense Raimi-backed movie 'Don’t Move'. These guys know how to build suspense in tight spaces, and honestly, if they could handle 'Don’t Move', 'Nightwatching' should be right in their wheelhouse.

As for the production roster: Ridley Scott’s producing (along with Michael Pruss and Sam Roston for Scott Free), and Erik Feig, Jessica Switch, and Emily Wissink have it covered for Picturestart. Mila Kunis, as mentioned, is also producing, with Lisa Sterbakov. Overseeing for Scott Free are Sam Roston and Avital Siegel. The financiers have Graham Taylor and Christopher Slager as executive producers for Fifth Season, and Justin Alvarado Brown for Scott Free.

The shoot kicks off in California at the end of this month, so the train’s leaving the station fast.

If You’re Wondering About The Book...

Quick heads-up: if you want to read the original before spoilers start floating everywhere, 'Nightwatching' is up on Amazon right now.

The Bottom Line

This is a “first novel goes straight to A-list adaptation” situation, with a solid team and a thriller setup that’s just begging for a nerve-shredding film. If you like stories where the safe home becomes a nightmare maze and you’ve got to question every shadow, this is probably going to be your thing—and Mila Kunis as a desperate but resourceful mom? Not a bad pick.

One quote stands out from the official book description:
'...she knows exactly who he is — and what he wants.'

Personally, I think the project sounds promising. Schindler and Netto have a real knack for the genre and Kunis usually makes her characters instantly relatable (even when the setting is absolute hell). Fingers crossed they stick the landing.