Greta Lee, who broke out with her performance in the acclaimed romantic drama Past Lives, is stepping behind the camera.
The actress will make her directorial debut with Searchlight Pictures’ adaptation of The Eyes are the Best Part, the psychological horror novel by Monika Kim. Lee will also write the script.
Matt Jackson and Joanne Lee of Jackson Pictures are producing. Also producing are Lulu Wang via her banner Local Time, and Dani Melia. The latter are known for their work on the 2019 dramedy The Farewell and the Prime Video mini-series Expats. Kim will exec produce.
Published in June 2024 by Erewhon Books, the novel is a described as a story about a family falling apart as well as the making of a female serial killer from a Korean-American perspective. Set in Los Angeles, the book tells of a woman named Ji-won whose life unravels after her father has an affair and then leaves the family. She finds an inventive way to satiate her rage and hunger.
The book was a hit with critics, with the New York Times saying, “Violent, smart, gruesome and wildly original, this novel pulls readers into a horrific world of murder and cannibalism while also critiquing misogyny, exploring Asian fetishization and stereotypes, sharing what it’s like to navigate two cultures and telling a touching story of a family in turmoil.” In June, the book won the Bram Stoker Award for superior achievement in a first novel.
Jackson Pictures counts Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Aaron Sorkin drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Molly’s Game, amongst its credits. It is currently in post-production for David Robert Mitchell’s upcoming film Flowervale Street at Warner Bros and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s best-selling book Children of Blood and Bone at Paramount.
Lee appeared on series such as Russian Doll and The Morning Show before platforming with Past Lives, Celine Song’s 2023 movie that earned her Golden Globe, Critics Choice and Indie Spirit Award nominations for best actress.
The actress has a busy year ahead with a starring role in Disney’s Tron: Ares, indie Late Fame, and season four of The Morning Show, all debuting in the fall.
Lee is repped by UTA, Entertainment 360, Jackoway Austen. Kim, who is based in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, is repped by UTA and Ginsburg Daniels.
