Maddie’s Secret — the feature directorial debut from comedian John Early — has landed at Magnolia Pictures after the film’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. The distributor is planning a 2026 release.
A stairical melodrama, Maddie’s Secret stars Early as a food content creator whose rising star also reawakens her struggles with an eating disorder. The rest of the cast includes Kate Berlant, Eric Rahill, Claudia O’Doherty, Conner O’Malley and Vanessa Bayer.
“Packed with visual gags and a cast of gifted comedic actors, Maddie’s Secret straddles the line between comedy and melodrama, creating a wholly unique cinematic experience,” reads The Hollywood Reporter review of the film. “Every aspect of Maddie’s Secret is indeed made with love, showing reverence for the stylistic flourishes that made TV movies so memorable.”
Harris Mayersohn produced the film via Dogma 3000, along with Luca Intili and Early. Chris Quintos Cathcart and Tyler Boehm for Unapologetic Projects, Hannah Dweck and Theodore Schaefer for Dweck Productions, Sarah Herrman for Whetstone Pictures, Deb Tam for Radish, Matthew Rosenthal, and Marissa Heringer.
UTA negotiated the deal on behalf of filmmakers.
Of the acquisition Early said, “I cannot imagine a more chic or dignified home for Maddie’s Secret than Magnolia Pictures. I will burst into tears when I see the title card for the first time.”