Amazon MGM Studios Picks Up Chris McKay Serial Killer Romance Package 'Butcher & Blackbird'; Emma Laird & Thomas Doherty To Star
News Source
β’Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:45:00 +0000
π° What Happened
Amazon MGM Studios has bought a movie package called Butcher & Blackbird. The film will stream worldwide on Prime Video. Chris McKay will direct, and Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty will play the leads.
The story comes from a bestselling novel by Brynne Weaver. It follows two rival killers who both hunt other serial killers. They try to outdo each other, then slowly fall for one another. The script is by Laura Kosann, with changes by Ari Berkowitz and Ava Tramer.
π The Backstory
The book came out in October 2023 and became a hit on TikTok, where readers pushed it to a huge audience. It reached the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. It is the first book in Weaver's Ruinous Love trilogy, and her books have sold more than five million copies in over 25 countries.
McKay is known for The Tomorrow War, The Lego Batman Movie and Renfield. Laird recently earned a BAFTA Scotland nomination. Doherty stars in the Hulu series Paradise. Dark romance is popular with young readers, and studios are racing to turn those books into films.
π― Why It Matters
Popular books are becoming movies faster than ever. If you liked the novel, you can expect a big-budget version without leaving your couch.
Amazon MGM Studios has bought a movie package called Butcher & Blackbird. The film will stream worldwide on Prime Video. Chris McKay will direct, and Emma Laird and Thomas Doherty will play the leads.
The story comes from a bestselling novel by Brynne Weaver. It follows two rival killers who both hunt other serial killers. They try to outdo each other, then slowly fall for one another. The script is by Laura Kosann, with changes by Ari Berkowitz and Ava Tramer.
The book came out in October 2023 and became a hit on TikTok, where readers pushed it to a huge audience. It reached the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. It is the first book in Weaver's Ruinous Love trilogy, and her books have sold more than five million copies in over 25 countries.
McKay is known for The Tomorrow War, The Lego Batman Movie and Renfield. Laird recently earned a BAFTA Scotland nomination. Doherty stars in the Hulu series Paradise. Dark romance is popular with young readers, and studios are racing to turn those books into films.
Popular books are becoming movies faster than ever. If you liked the novel, you can expect a big-budget version without leaving your couch.