This is a major step in Tiffany Haddish's career evolution — moving beyond her comedic roots into serious thriller territory alongside rising star Devon Sawa. The late summer release positions the film perfectly for awards consideration while Samuel Goldwyn Films' backing signals industry confidence in this prestige project.
Insiders say the chemistry between Haddish and Sawa was immediate on set, with sources noting both actors were drawn to the script's dark twists surrounding missing twin girls. Word is Ralph Macchio's involvement came together quickly once the project gained momentum, with the veteran actor eager to work outside his 'Karate Kid' legacy.
The film was acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films and marks Brando Benetton's directorial effort. Maggie Grace co-stars alongside Haddish and Sawa in a story centered on twin girls who mysteriously vanish. The trailer drops exclusively via Hollywood Reporter on July 22, 2026.
Haddish continues her calculated pivot away from pure comedy, and pairing with Sawa — fresh off his own genre success — could be exactly the refresh both careers need. The missing twins premise sounds familiar on paper, but don't bet against this ensemble carrying it somewhere unexpected.
TIFFANY HADDISH AND DEVON SAWA are heading to theaters together this late summer in 'The Girl in the River,' and if the trailer dropping today is any indication, this thriller isn't playing it safe. Samuel Goldwyn Films acquired the Brando Benetton-directed project, which centers on twin girls who go missing — a premise that immediately raises red flags and questions in equal measure. Haddish leads the ensemble cast alongside Sawa, with the pairing representing something of a genre crossover moment for both performers.
The actress has been deliberately expanding beyond her comedy roots following her breakthrough success in 'Girls Trip,' taking on darker roles that showcase range many didn't know she had. Sawa, meanwhile, has built an impressive thriller resume in recent years, making him a strategic choice as a co-lead who understands exactly what's required of this material. The supporting cast reads like a collection of actors hungry for something different.
Maggie Grace brings her own genre credentials from the 'Taken' franchise, while Ralph Macchio — yes, that Ralph Macchio — rounds out the group in what sources say is a deliberately unglamorous role far removed from his iconic '80s persona. Benetton, working with a script that apparently impressed everyone involved enough to move quickly, has crafted something that leans into the unsettling nature of its central mystery. The late summer release window is telling.
It's not quite prestige season, but it's also not the dumping ground studios use for projects they don't believe in. This positioning suggests Samuel Goldwyn sees something worth protecting — and worth marketing aggressively to audiences hungry for thrillers that deliver more than cheap jump scares. The trailer, breaking exclusively via Hollywood Reporter today, should give us our first real window into whether 'The Girl in the River' can distinguish itself in a crowded genre space.
What we know for certain: twin girls vanish, Haddish and Sawa are at the center of figuring out why, and by the time this hits theaters, we'll know whether that premise translates to something worth your hard-earned ticket money. The receipts are on the table — now it's just a matter of watching the play unfold.
