Went Up the Hill, the latest feature from writer-director Samuel Van Grinsven, will be released in U.S. theaters on August 15, 2025 through Greenwich Entertainment. The film premiered in 2024 as part of the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was included in the festival’s program spotlighting new international cinema.

Set in New Zealand’s South Island, the story follows Jack (played by Stranger Things actor Dacre Montgomery) as he travels to the remote countryside for the funeral of his estranged mother, Elizabeth. While there, he meets her widow, Jill (portrayed by Vicky Krieps, known for her roles in Phantom Thread and Corsage). Over the course of several nights, Elizabeth’s spirit begins to possess Jack and Jill in turn. What begins as a trip intended for closure leads them to confront personal histories and unresolved tensions.
Sarah Peirse appears in a supporting role. The film is produced by Vicky Pope, Samantha Jennings, and Kristina Ceyton.

Van Grinsven, whose earlier work has been screened at international festivals, returns here with a project that combines elements of family drama and supernatural themes. Montgomery brings experience from high-profile screen projects, including his breakout in Power Rangers (2017) and his role as Billy Hargrove in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Krieps has been recognized for her work in period dramas and international productions, earning critical attention for her performances in films by directors such as Paul Thomas Anderson and Marie Kreutzer.
Went Up the Hill joins a number of recent films using remote natural settings as a backdrop for interpersonal narratives. While the film incorporates a ghost story framework, its premise centers on themes of loss, connection, and the influence of the past on the present. With its North American release set for mid-August, audiences will soon be able to see how Van Grinsven’s latest work approaches these ideas on screen.
Watch the Trailer for the film.