Special coverage from ShofHub 📅 2026-04-20

Netflix Acquires WWII Thriller 'Play Dead' Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra

By ShofHub Editorial Team Publisher ShofHub Source deadline.com
PublishedApril 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM Cairo time
UpdatedApril 21, 2026 at 3:20 PM Cairo time

Netflix acquires the war thriller "Play Dead," directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Noah Jupe and Matthias Schweighöfer.

🏷️ Celebrities ⏱️ 2 min read ✍️ Matthewgrobar
Netflix Acquires WWII Thriller 'Play Dead' Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra

Full details

Netflix has announced its acquisition of the World War II thriller film "Play Dead", directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, known for the film "Carry-On". The film stars Noah Jupe, recognized for his role in "Hamnet", and Matthias Schweighöfer, who appeared in the series "Oppenheimer".

Film Details and Cast

"Play Dead" follows a soldier suffering from psychological trauma after witnessing a deadly ambush that wiped out his unit during the final days of World War II. He must survive by pretending to be dead among a battalion of Nazi soldiers. The film is described as a blend of "Don’t Breathe" and "1917".

Collet-Serra directed the film based on a screenplay written by Natalie Conway and Peter Stanley-Ward. The production is led by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert through Ghost House Pictures, alongside producers from BoulderLight, Bad Grey, and Nocturnal—the latter fully financing the project as its first cinematic production.

Long-Term Partnership with Netflix

This acquisition is part of a multi-year creative partnership between Collet-Serra and Netflix. The director is currently working on a new thriller titled "The Cage" with the platform. "Carry-On" remains one of his most successful projects with Netflix, ranking third among the platform’s most-watched films.

Collet-Serra is also developing the thriller "An Innocent Girl", starring Kerry Washington and James Marsden, with Washington also serving as executive producer.

Significance of the Acquisition

Netflix’s acquisition of "Play Dead" marks an important step in strengthening the platform’s position in delivering high-quality war thrillers. It offers viewers a distinctive cinematic experience that combines suspense with historical drama, supported by a talented cast and strong production team.

This news has been adapted based on a report published on deadline.com, maintaining the core facts from the original source.

📰 Back to News