Toni Collette and Milly Alcock Team Up for Intense Survival Thriller HOT MOTHER
Toni Collette and Milly Alcock are joining forces for the upcoming survival thriller Hot Mother, a film that’s shaping up to be a gripping and emotional experience set against the Australian wilderness. The movie is set to begin production in 2026 in Australia.
In the story, a mother and daughter head to a remote wellness spa for what’s supposed to be a peaceful weekend to reconnect. But things take a terrifying turn when they become trapped inside a sauna, completely cut off from the outside world. Their getaway quickly spirals into a desperate fight for both their sanity and their survival.
The film marks the feature debut of writer-director Lucy Knox, who’s adapting it from her acclaimed short of the same name that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020. Knox’s short drew praise for its tension and emotional intensity, and now she’s bringing that same energy to a full-length feature.
Alex Coco, who recently produced Anora, shared his excitement about the project, saying: “Lucy is a filmmaker’s filmmaker, exactly the directors that I’m most committed to working with. With our two lead actresses, this film will play wide globally, and introduce a new and fresh voice to the directing game.”
Producers added: “As producers with a strong track record of launching Australian filmmakers, we’ve been aware of Lucy’s exceptional talent as a writer-director for many years. She’s beyond ready to bring Hot Mother to life for audiences worldwide, with its thrilling screenplay and incredible cast.”
Stephen Kelliher of Bankside Films also praised the film, saying: “We were sold on Hot Mother from the title alone but discovering Lucy Knox’s incredible short and reading the screenplay solidified our immense passion for this story. With character and mother-daughter relationships at its heart, the film will thrill audiences with its edge-of-your-seat take on a survival story.”
Collette has built a powerful career blending intensity and emotional depth in films like Hereditary, The Sixth Sense, and Knives Out. Alcock, who broke out as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, is stepping into major stardom with her upcoming lead role in Supergirl for DC Entertainment.
With these two strong leads, and a claustrophobic, high-stakes premise, Hot Mother could end up being a great little film project.