Shailene Woodley Runs from Grief in New Thriller 'Ultra'

Acclaimed actress Shailene Woodley is trading the drama of Big Little Lies and the action of Divergent for the grueling physical and psychological challenge of the desert in her latest project, the psychological thriller Ultra. Announced recently, the film promises to be a visceral and deeply personal exploration of grief, endurance, and the limits of the human spirit.

Woodley stars as Eve, a woman reeling from the tragic death of her twin sister. To confront her unimaginable pain and test her own resilience, she embarks on one of the world's most punishing athletic feats: the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon. This infamous 135-mile race pushes runners through the extreme heat and unforgiving terrain of Death Valley, where temperatures can soar to a scorching 54°C (130°F).

As Eve battles the brutal elements, crushing fatigue, and the profound psychological weight of her loss, she notices an unnerving presence closing in on her. An unknown runner, clad in white, relentlessly pursues her through the desolate landscape. This pursuit becomes the central mystery of the film, forcing Eve to confront not only her pursuer but also the darkest corners of her own mind and the unresolved trauma she carries.

A Story Forged in Personal Pain

The film is directed and written by Victoria Negri, who brings a deeply authentic perspective to the subject. Negri draws directly from her own harrowing experiences with loss and her extensive background as an ultramarathon runner.

"My father was a distance runner, left paralyzed by a stroke. Running, the thing that gave him life, was taken from him. He suffered, and finally succumbed," Negri shared in a statement. "While finding my emotional footing, I grew to become an ultrarunner, since completing two 100-mile races, numerous 50 milers and many marathons. It’s through testing my limits in each of these epic races that I process loss — physical pain being the greatest metaphor for the emotional. Although my grief is always with me, I’ve learned I’m strong enough to handle it, to handle anything."

Ultra, therefore, is more than just a thriller; it's a cinematic vehicle for exploring how we process profound grief. Negri explains that while we might try to outrun our pain, "whether we carry it with us by our side, or see it in the rearview mirror, we’re never able to outrun its lingering presence." This theme of inescapable emotion forms the powerful core of the narrative.

A High-Caliber Production

The film boasts an impressive team behind the scenes. It's produced by Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read for Savage Rose Films (the powerhouse behind Everything Everywhere All at Once and American Honey), and Iris Torres (In Dubious Battle). Executive producers include Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti for End Cue (The History Of Sound) and Toby Halbrooks for Sailor Bear (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story).

International sales for Ultra are being handled by Mister Smith Entertainment, with WME Independent managing US sales. The project is currently being pitched to buyers at the American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles, signaling strong industry anticipation for this unique thriller.

Shailene Woodley's Prolific Slate

This new role adds to Woodley's already busy schedule. Following her recent turn in the Venice and Toronto Film Festival-premiered action-thriller Motor City, she has several high-profile projects in development. She joins the cast of the second season of Hulu's political thriller Paradise in a recurring role, stars as Ted Kaczynski's mother in the Netflix drama Unabom, and produces and portrays Janis Joplin in an upcoming biopic. She also executive produces and stars alongside Lindsay Lohan in the Hulu series Count My Lies.

With its potent blend of high-stakes physical endurance, psychological suspense, and raw emotional depth, Ultra is poised to be a standout project for Shailene Woodley and a captivating exploration of how we push ourselves to the brink to heal.