This stacked ensemble brings serious comedy credentials alongside horror pedigree — a perfect storm for the genre-bending 'toxic positivity' premise that explores female friendship under supernatural pressure.
The real story here might be how many SNL alums are circling this project. Bobby Moynihan was already locked, now Aristotle Athari joins him — that's two heavy hitters from 30 Rock who clearly believe in the material.
Tribeca's Creator Market and Works In Progress program screened 20 minutes of the film on June 12, 2026. Writers Amy Taylor and Liz Manashil (who also directs) have assembled a cast spanning network TV, streaming comedy, and horror podcasting.
With this many talented weirdos converging on one bachelorette party from hell, 'Best Friends Forever' just became the most interesting genre project you're not paying attention to yet.
The horror-comedy space is about to get a lot more crowded — and a lot more interesting. "Best Friends Forever" has announced a significant cast expansion, pulling in talent from across the comedy and horror podcasting ecosystems. Variety broke the news on June 12 that Aristotle Athari, late of "Saturday Night Live," has joined the film alongside Ally Maki (who voiced Giggle McDimples in "Toy Story 4"), "Game Changer" comedian Zac Oyama, influencer Lynley Eilers, and — perhaps most intriguingly — James A.
Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca, hosts of the horror movie podcast "Dead Meat." Those last two additions feel significant: when you cast the people who literally dissect horror films for a living into your horror-comedy about friends turning on each other, you're making a statement about what kind of audience you're targeting. The new faces join an already-impressive ensemble that includes Kimia Behpoornia ("Abbott Elementary"), Bobby Moynihan (another SNL alum), Eliza Bennett ("Dynasty"), Catherine Corcoran ("Terrifier"), Jessie Ennis ("Mythic Quest"), Aparna Nancherla ("The Great North"), Esther Povitsky ("Drugstone June") and Rekha Shankar ("Game Changer").
That's a remarkable collection of comedic talent, with roots in network television, streaming originals, and the indie horror scene. Written by Amy Taylor and Liz Manashil (who also directs), "Best Friends Forever" centers on — wait for it — five high school friends reuniting for a bachelorette party who become exposed to what the logline describes as "toxic positivity-turned-supernatural." As the supernatural element takes hold, the women begin turning against each other.
The film reportedly explores "the things we don't say and all the things we don't show, as women, to our friends" — a premise that could range from genuinely sharp social commentary to generic horror fare, depending on execution. The production already has some serious genre cred behind it. Executive producers include Catherine Corcoran (also acting), Tiffany L.
Gray, Katie Leary, and the Pigott brothers Charlie and Will. Associate producers read like a who's-who of modern indie horror: Ted Geoghegan ("We Are Still Here"), Emily Hagins ("My Sucky Teen Romance"), Carter Smith ("The Ruins"), and the Pierce Brothers ("The Wretched"). Cara Chute Rosenbaum handled casting.
Perhaps most notably, "Best Friends Forever" was recently invited to Tribeca's Creator Market and its Works In Progress program, where 20 minutes of the film were screened for industry audiences. That's not nothing — Tribeca's blessing carries weight in both the independent and genre filmmaking communities.
