Shaman: Release date news, cast details and more about the upcoming horror movie starring Sarah Cunning

Shaman, directed by Antonio Negret, follows a bleak and mysterious tale about a family that hopes to convert an indigenous community in the remote Ecuadorian Andes to their beliefs.

It leads to a clash of faiths and cultures, which doesn't bode well for the nonnatives. Through this clash, the film offers a thematically dense narrative that examines the horrors of similar real-life conflicts. However, it offers an intensely personal account of such scenarios, reportedly founded on the director's formative life experiences from Latin America.

Sara Canning headlines the movie as the missionary family's matriarch, alongside Jett Klyne, Alejandro Fajardo, Segundo Fuérez, Daniel Gillies, and more in the cast. Backed by the folks from Well Go USA Entertainment, the supernatural horror flick will be released in theaters on August 8, 2025.

What do we know about the Shaman movie's plot?

Daniel Negret, who executive-produced recent horror films like Talk to Me and Bring Her Back, has penned the screenplay for Shaman. Its official plot synopsis reads:

"A missionary family travels to rural Ecuador to convert the indigenous population. All is going well until their son ventures into a forbidden local cave and comes back with a demonic spirit in tow."

It further reads,

"Candice believes that an exorcism in the Catholic tradition will free her boy from the evil bonds that bind him. The local shamans know that this spirit is older than her religion and must be dealt with or the demon will take them all."

The trailer, which was released on June 27, offers a look into the cultural clash hinted at in the plot synopsis. Based on what we see, the story seems to be about the harmful repercussions of forcing one's beliefs onto others without due consideration. It might offer another take on the savior complex-led narratives, which turn their lives into nightmares.

Yet, instead of merely portraying a culture clash, the film seems to be geared towards examining the tragedy through a personal lens to take us deeper into the devastating results on one's psychological health.

Who'll be a part of the cast?

Canadian actress Sara Canning, known for her performances in shows like The Vampire Diaries, Remedy, and A Series of Unfortunate Events, plays a central role in the movie. She plays Candice, a woman who moves to an isolated land to lead the natives on their path, but things take a dark turn when her son, Elliot, comes out of a dark cave.

The cast of Shaman, as we know so far, includes,

Jett Klyne as Elliot
Alejandro Fajardo as Father Meyer
Segundo Fuérez as Atok
Kuri Fuerez as Tomás
Daniel Gillies as Joel
Mercy Lema as Rosa
Humberto Morales as Shaman
Dylan Tacuri as Raul
Mercy Lema as Rosa

What's the release date for Shaman, the 2025 movie?

As revealed earlier, Antonio Negret's film will be theatrically released on August 8, 2025. It will also be available on digital platforms on the same day, as per Movie Insider.

The movie, however, will receive a limited release, meaning it will be shown in select cinemas. Those interested can check the availability or book their tickets on platforms like Atom Tickets and Fandango.