Danny DeVito-Produced Heist Comedy Drag Secures International Sales Deal

Blue Finch Films has secured international sales rights, outside North America, for the heist thriller comedy “Drag” from directors Greg Yagolnitzer and Raviv Ullman. The U.K. sales and distribution company plans to launch the title at the market during the Toronto Film Festival, marking a significant expansion for the critically acclaimed indie production.

Danny DeVito, Lucy DeVito and Jake DeVito produced the film, which premiered at SXSW 2026 to critical acclaim. Briarcliff Entertainment picked up North American distribution rights and scheduled the film to open in U.S. theaters on January 29, 2027. The deal positions “Drag” for a coordinated global rollout following its successful festival circuit run.

Star-Studded Cast Drives Festival Buzz

The film stars Lizzy Caplan, Lucy DeVito, John Stamos and Christine Ko. Since its SXSW debut, “Drag” has continued its festival run with screenings at BiFan, Fantasia and Tubi FrightFest London, building momentum with genre audiences ahead of its theatrical release. The ensemble cast brings both comedic talent and dramatic weight to the thriller’s escalating tension.

The story follows two sisters with a strained relationship who target a house in rural upstate New York for a burglary. The heist goes wrong when one sister injures her back and ends up trapped on the second floor, setting off an increasingly frantic bid to get out before the homeowner comes home. The premise blends physical comedy with genuine suspense, creating what festival audiences have praised as a fresh take on the heist genre.

Jersey Films Returns With Independent Production

“Drag” represents the first independent feature to come out of Jersey Films 2nd Avenue, the DeVito-founded production banner behind the animated FXX series “Little Demon” and the Prime Video sports docuseries “Game 7.” The label’s mission emphasizes distinctive creative voices and stories that defy genre convention, positioning itself as a champion of boundary-pushing storytelling in an increasingly risk-averse marketplace.

The DeVito family’s involvement extends beyond traditional producing roles, with Lucy DeVito serving as both producer and star. This integrated approach reflects Jersey Films’ commitment to artist-driven projects where creative control remains with the filmmakers rather than studio executives. The company’s track record in television animation and sports documentary established its credibility before returning to narrative features.

Blue Finch Expands International Portfolio

Blue Finch Films’ current sales slate also includes the Toronto Midnight Madness selection “Kick On,” the Fantasia titles “Attack On Paradise” and “Unholy Night,” and “Mission,” which is backed by BBC Film and Screen Scotland and stars George MacKay. The company positions itself as a distributor specializing in genre-bending material that bridges art house sensibilities with commercial appeal.

The Toronto market launch strategy allows Blue Finch to capitalize on festival buzz while connecting with international buyers during one of the industry’s most important gathering points. Toronto has historically served as a launching pad for indie films seeking global distribution, with the festival’s market component attracting hundreds of distributors and acquisitions executives from around the world. The timing positions “Drag” for potential awards consideration as it builds toward its early-2027 theatrical release.

Directors Bring Genre Experience to Debut Feature

Greg Yagolnitzer and Raviv Ullman co-directed the feature, bringing their combined experience in television and short-form content to a narrative that demands precise pacing and tonal control. The directors faced the challenge of maintaining comedic momentum while building genuine suspense around the trapped sister’s predicament. Early reviews from SXSW highlighted their ability to balance claustrophobic tension with dark humor, a difficult needle to thread in genre filmmaking.

The rural upstate New York setting provides both atmospheric isolation and fish-out-of-water comedy as the urban sisters navigate unfamiliar territory. The location becomes a character in itself, with the house’s architecture playing a crucial role in the escalating complications. The directors reportedly scouted dozens of locations before finding a structure that could support both the physical comedy and the thriller elements.

Theatrical Release Bucks Streaming-First Trend

The decision by Briarcliff Entertainment to commit to a theatrical release in January 2027 signals confidence in the film’s commercial potential despite the industry’s pivot toward streaming premieres for mid-budget indies. The January release window historically offers lower competition and the opportunity to build word-of-mouth momentum away from the crowded holiday season. The strategy depends on strong reviews and audience engagement to sustain a theatrical run before eventual streaming availability.

The international sales approach mirrors this theatrical-first philosophy, with Blue Finch seeking traditional distribution deals rather than global streaming acquisitions. This model allows for territory-specific marketing that can emphasize different elements of the film-the heist thriller aspects for action-oriented markets, the sibling comedy for relationship-driven audiences. The flexibility benefits films that resist easy categorization, as “Drag” does with its genre-blending approach.

Festival Circuit Validates Independent Production Model

The film’s progression from SXSW through genre festivals like Fantasia and FrightFest demonstrates how independent productions build credibility and audience awareness through strategic festival placement. Each screening generates press coverage, social media buzz and critical assessments that inform both distribution strategy and marketing messaging. The festival circuit functions as an extended test-marketing phase, allowing distributors to identify which elements resonate most strongly with audiences before committing to expensive advertising campaigns.

Lizzy Caplan’s presence as the lead actress brings both indie credibility and mainstream recognition, bridging the gap between festival darling and commercial viability. Her previous work in genre projects makes her a natural fit for material that defies easy categorization. The supporting cast, including John Stamos, adds recognizable names that can drive media coverage and audience curiosity beyond the core indie film community.