Get ready to be spellbound—or is it cursed? Lili Reinhart is stepping into a whole new world of dark magic and femme power in the just-released teaser for Forbidden Fruits, a horror movie produced by the legendary Diablo Cody. But here’s where it gets controversial: this isn’t your typical witch story. Directed by feature debut filmmaker Meredith Alloway, the film dives into the shadowy underbelly of a mall store, where a secret cult of women—led by Reinhart’s character, Apple—blurs the line between empowerment and danger. Forbidden Fruits is set to hit theaters in 2026, thanks to Independent Film Company and Shudder, and it’s already stirring up buzz for its bold take on femininity, witchcraft, and the toxic secrets we all hide.
The plot? Think The Craft meets Mean Girls, but with a bloody twist. Apple, a seemingly ordinary employee at Free Eden, moonlights as the leader of a witchy cult in the store’s basement, alongside her fellow ‘fruits’ Cherry and Fig. Their sisterhood is tight—until Pumpkin, a new hire, shows up and challenges their ‘girl boss’ mentality. Suddenly, the group is forced to confront their own dark truths or face a fate that’s anything but pretty. And this is the part most people miss: the film isn’t just about horror; it’s a sharp commentary on the pressures women face to conform, compete, and sacrifice—sometimes literally—for power.
The cast is a dream team of talent, including Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House), Alexandra Shipp (Tragedy Girls), Gabrielle Union (Breaking In), and Emma Chamberlain. Adapted from Lily Houghton’s stage play Of the Women Came the Beginning of Sin and Through Her We All Die, the script is co-written by Alloway and Houghton, ensuring the original’s razor-sharp wit and feminist edge remain intact.
Diablo Cody, no stranger to boundary-pushing projects, has called Forbidden Fruits one of the ‘craziest, most creative, beautifully bonkers’ works she’s ever been part of. ‘It grabbed me by the neck the very first time I read it,’ she said, praising Alloway and Houghton as ‘heroes.’ But here’s the question: Is this film a celebration of female solidarity, or a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition? The teaser offers only glimpses of the horror in store, leaving us to wonder just how far these women will go—and whether we’d follow them.
Behind the scenes, the production team is just as impressive, with Mason Novick, Diablo Cody, Trent Hubbard, and Mary Anne Waterhouse producing, and Charlie Traisman, Katherine Romans, Casey Durant, and Rachel Douglas executive producing. The teaser is a tantalizing appetizer, hinting at a visual feast of dark humor, chilling moments, and thought-provoking themes.
But here’s the real question: Can a horror movie about a witchy cult actually challenge societal norms, or is it just another spooky spectacle? Let us know what you think in the comments—and mark your calendars for 2026, because Forbidden Fruits is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.
