Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American distribution rights to the Viola Davis–Jennifer Lopez drama “Lila and Eve,” the company announced Thursday.
The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of Lila (Davis), a grief-stricken mother who in the aftermath of her son’s murder in a drive-by shooting attends a support group where she meets Eve (Lopez), who has lost her daughter.
When Lila hits numerous roadblocks from the police in bringing justice for her son’s slaying, Eve urges Lila to take matters into her own hands to track down her son’s killers. The two women soon embark on a killing spree of their own, as they work to the top of the chain of drug dealers to avenge the murder of Lila’s son.
The film also stars Shea Whigham, Julius Tennon, Chris Chalk and Andre Royo.
“Both Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez deliver raw and searing performances as empowered female vigilantes struggling with grief and the need for revenge,” said Peter Goldwyn of Samuel Goldwyn Films in a statement. “We feel this film will play remarkably well to broad audiences and are looking forward to the opportunity to release it.”
A Lifetime Films presentation of an A+E Studios, Chickflicks and JuVee Productions production, “Lila and Eve” was directed by Charles Stone III and written by Patrick Gilfillan. It was produced by Sara Risher and Darrin Reed. Executive producers include Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Lisa Hamilton Daly, Rob Sharenow, Tanya Lopez, Molly Thompson, and Damian Ganczewski.
Samuel Goldwyn Films is planning a 2015 release.