IFC Films and Shudder – AMC Networks’ horror, thriller and supernatural streaming service – have picked up the U.S. rights to Caitlin Cronenberg’s feature debut, Humane.

The film, which was shot in Hamilton, Ont., is directed by Cronenberg, written and produced by Michael Sparaga, and stars Jay Baruchel (BlackBerry), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and Peter Gallagher (Grace and Frankie).

IFC Films plans to release the film in theatres starting April 26, with Shudder to stream later this year. Elevation Pictures will distribute the film in Canada.

Humane is produced by Sparaga’s Victory Man Productions and executive produced by Martin Katz and Karen Wookey of Prospero Pictures, Todd Brown and Nick Spicer of XYZ Films, and Adrian Love and Laurie May of Elevation Pictures. Production supervisor is Noah Segal.

The film received production financing from Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates and equity financiers Red Jar Capital, and was produced in association with Bell Media’s Crave.

Humane is described as a dystopian satire that takes place months after a global ecological collapse has forced world leaders to take extreme measures to reduce the earth’s population.

“With Humane, Caitlin has delivered a wickedly smart, humorous and socially relevant thriller with exceptional performances from its outstanding cast,” said Emily Gotto, Shudder’s VP of global acquisitions and coproductions, in a statement.

Cronenberg added: “It’s thrilling that my directorial debut is being released by IFC Films and Shudder, two of the most fearless and supportive distributors out there. Scott Shooman and his team have such a keen understanding of horror films, and are the perfect partners to bring this genre-bending film to audiences.”

Image courtesy of IFC Films