Gabrielle Union is the latest addition to the growing ensemble of Forbidden Fruits, a genre-bending film that marks the feature directorial debut of Meredith Alloway. Currently in production, the film is set for a 2026 theatrical release via IFC Films and AMC Networks’ horror streamer, Shudder.
Union joins a dynamic cast that includes previously announced stars Alexandra Shipp (Barbie), Lili Reinhart (Hustlers), Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Victoria Pedretti (You), and social media personality Emma Chamberlain, making her acting debut.
Character details for Union’s role are currently under wraps, but the project has already generated early buzz thanks to its unique premise and powerhouse creative team.
Forbidden Fruits is based on Of the Women Came the Beginning of Sin, and Through Her We All Die, a play by Lily Houghton. The screenplay was co-written by Houghton and Alloway, who bring a fresh and feminist lens to genre storytelling.
The film follows Apple, an employee at a retail store called Free Eden, who moonlights as the leader of a secret witchy femme cult that meets in the store’s basement after hours. Alongside her fellow “fruits” — Cherry and Fig — Apple’s tightly held power begins to unravel when a new hire, Pumpkin, disrupts their carefully curated dynamic. The story quickly turns from sisterhood to survival, as the women must confront their own inner demons or face devastating consequences.
Behind the scenes, Forbidden Fruits is backed by an impressive team. Academy Award winner Diablo Cody (Jennifer’s Body, Juno) is producing alongside Mason Novick, Trent Hubbard, and Mary Anne Waterhouse. The film is executive produced by Charlie Traisman and Katherine Romans for Madhouse Films, with additional executive producers Casey Durant and Rachel Douglas representing Range Media Partners.
The U.S. and Canadian rights were negotiated by Rachael Labes of IFC Films and Alex Walton of WME on behalf of the filmmakers.
In a statement, Scott Shooman, Head of AMC Networks’ Film Group, praised the project: “We are thrilled to join forces with the creative minds behind Forbidden Fruits. Meredith Alloway and Lily Houghton delivered a bewitching script that immediately stood out. With one of the most exciting cast lineups on the horizon, this is a film we are proud to support with a theatrical release.”
Gabrielle Union’s Momentum in Genre Films Continues
Union continues to expand her range with bold and varied projects. Her critically acclaimed performance in The Inspection earned her both Gotham and Independent Spirit Award nominations. She also recently appeared opposite Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, and Bill Murray in Dito Montiel’s crime comedy Riff Raff, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Up next, she’ll headline The Casket Girls, a supernatural thriller produced by QC Entertainment, the team behind Get Out.