Midori Francis as Hana in Saccharine.

Following its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, a European premiere in the Berlinale Special Section, and sold-out shows at the recent 2026 Sydney Film Festival, Saccharine opens nationally in cinemas from 9 July 2026.

The stunning new psychological horror comes from writer and director Natalie Erika James, a distinctive new voice in genre filmmaking following the breakout success of her debut feature, Relic, which she followed up with Apartment 7A, starring Julia Garner.

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Saccharine is about Hana, a first-year medical student who becomes fixated on losing weight after seeing the dramatic physical transformation of a friend taking a controversial new diet pill made from human ashes. Unable to afford the pills herself, Hana resorts to stealing bones from the cadaver she dissects in her anatomy class. As the weight falls away, she finds herself haunted by the restless ghost of the woman she is consuming. As the entity begins to overpower her, Hana must find a way to break free from it before losing control entirely.

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The film stars Midori Francis (Grey’s Anatomy, The Sex Lives of College Girls) as Hana, Danielle Macdonald (If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You) as her best friend Josie, and Madeleine Madden (Strife) as Hana’s fitness influencer love interest Alanya.

Saccharine is a Carver Films and Thrum Films Production. Major production investment from Screen Australia, XYZ in conjunction with IPR.VC, and Stan, in association with VicScreen.

SaccharineE contains scenarios that may be distressing for people who live with or have experienced eating disorders and negative body image. If you are impacted by this material, please reach out for support:

The Butterfly National Helpline is contactable on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT). 

Saccharine will be released in Australian cinemas from 9 July 2026

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