Magnolia Buys John Early ‘Movie of the Week’ Homage ‘Maddie’s Secret’
Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to “Maddie’s Secret.” The film is a John Early production in every sense. It was written, produced, and directed by the comedian, who also appears as the title character, Maddie, a food content creator grappling with a troubled past.
The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival as opening night of the Discovery Section. It’s one of several sales titles this fall festival season to find a home — a group that includes “Obsession,” a horror film that was sold to Focus for $15 million, and “The Testament of Ann Lee,” which was bought by Searchlight. Magnolia Pictures plans to release “Maddie’s Secret” in theaters in 2026.
Eric Rahill co-stars as Maddie’s adoring husband, while Kate Berlant plays her ride-or-die bestie. The film is a mix of satire and melodrama, one that is partly a homage to the “movie of the week” genre of TV specials that were so popular before the rise of streaming. Claudia O’Doherty, Conner O’Malley, Vanessa Bayer, Leah Hennessey, Emily Allan, Ruby McCollister, Pat Regan, Dominique Witten, Chris Bauer and Kristen Johnston round out the ensemble.
“I cannot imagine a more chic or dignified home for ‘Maddie’s Secret’ than Magnolia Pictures,” Early said in a statement. “I will burst into tears when I see the title card for the first time.”
“As super fans of John Early, our collective jaws were on the floor watching his totally unique weaving of sacred homage and profane sendup,” said Magnolia Pictures co-CEOs Eamonn Bowles and Dori Begley in a joint statement. “We can’t wait for audiences to experience this cinematically masterful, uproarious work.”
Along with Early, the film was produced by Harris Mayersohn for Dogma 3000 and Luca Intili. It was executive produced by 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.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s SVP of Acquisitions John Von Thaden with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival as opening night of the Discovery Section. It’s one of several sales titles this fall festival season to find a home — a group that includes “Obsession,” a horror film that was sold to Focus for $15 million, and “The Testament of Ann Lee,” which was bought by Searchlight. Magnolia Pictures plans to release “Maddie’s Secret” in theaters in 2026.
Eric Rahill co-stars as Maddie’s adoring husband, while Kate Berlant plays her ride-or-die bestie. The film is a mix of satire and melodrama, one that is partly a homage to the “movie of the week” genre of TV specials that were so popular before the rise of streaming. Claudia O’Doherty, Conner O’Malley, Vanessa Bayer, Leah Hennessey, Emily Allan, Ruby McCollister, Pat Regan, Dominique Witten, Chris Bauer and Kristen Johnston round out the ensemble.
“I cannot imagine a more chic or dignified home for ‘Maddie’s Secret’ than Magnolia Pictures,” Early said in a statement. “I will burst into tears when I see the title card for the first time.”
“As super fans of John Early, our collective jaws were on the floor watching his totally unique weaving of sacred homage and profane sendup,” said Magnolia Pictures co-CEOs Eamonn Bowles and Dori Begley in a joint statement. “We can’t wait for audiences to experience this cinematically masterful, uproarious work.”
Along with Early, the film was produced by Harris Mayersohn for Dogma 3000 and Luca Intili. It was executive produced by 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.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s SVP of Acquisitions John Von Thaden with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.