A decade after Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers shook up the indie film world, a sequel is officially on the way — and it’s bringing a brand-new cast along for the ride.
Titled Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain, the film will follow four rebellious young women on a spring break road trip that quickly spins into violent chaos. Set to star are Bella Thorne, Ariel Martin (Zombies 2), Grace Van Dien (Stranger Things), and True Whitaker, known for her role in Godfather of Harlem.
Replacing Korine in the director’s chair is Matthew Bright (Freeway), while the original producing duo Chris Hanley (American Psycho, The Virgin Suicides) and Jordan Gertner (Bully) are back on board. The project is being financed by Capstone Studios, with global sales handled by Capture — a newly formed joint venture between Capstone Global and Signature Entertainment — and officially launching this week in Cannes.
According to producers, the new installment is a “crime thriller for Gen Z,” promising to deliver a fresh take on youthful rebellion with a bolder, more chaotic edge. “The desire for spring break to go on forever is something we’ve never let go of,” Hanley and Gertner said in a joint statement, adding that they’re excited to continue telling “bold, disruptive stories.”
The original Spring Breakers became a cultural flashpoint upon release in 2012, grossing more than $30 million globally on a $5 million budget. Starring James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Benson, it was both celebrated and critiqued for its provocative style, dreamlike aesthetic, and commentary on hedonism and disillusionment.
This isn’t the first time a follow-up has been attempted. In 2014, a sequel titled Spring Breakers: The Second Coming was announced with Jonas Åkerlund set to direct and Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh attached as writer. That project fizzled out, as did a planned digital series that never materialized.
Now, with Salvation Mountain revving its engines, all eyes are on whether the sequel can live up to the impact — and intentional chaos — of its predecessor.
Spring Breakers wasn’t just a movie — it was a moment. Trying to recreate that moment over a decade later, with a new cast and a new director, feels like a risky gamble. The original thrived on shock, style, and unpredictability — not a traditional plot. That’s not easy to replicate, no matter how many bikinis and buzzwords you throw at it. But if nothing else, it’ll be interesting to see what Salvation Mountain brings to the party — and whether Gen Z is ready to ride.