Issa Rae Teams Up with Jordan Peele for Major Sci-Fi Film 'Sinkhole'

Issa Rae is collaborating with 'Us' director Jordan Peele for a new psychological sci-fi/horror film that explores identity and perfectionism among women.

​Issa Rae and Jordan Peele pictured above.

Issa Rae and Jordan Peele pictured above.

Left: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Issa Rae attends the world premiere of "The Photograph" World at SVA Theater on February 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) and right: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 19: Jordan Peele attends the premiere of Amazon Prime Video's "Hunters" at DGA Theater on February 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic).
Issa Rae has reportedly signed a deal with Universal for an upcoming film titled Sinkhole with talented director, Jordan Peele. The movie tackles perfectionism and identity among women and Rae is set to star as well as produce the multi-million dollar production alongside Peele.

READ: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Trevor Noah and Uzo Aduba Score Nominations For 72nd Emmys

Sinkhole is based on a short story by Leyna Krow about a family that moves into their dream house that happens to have a sinkhole which transforms damaged object into perfect objects. However, the story goes on to ask the consequences would be if that object were a person. According to Deadline, Krow wrote her short story to "explore the notion of female perfection and was particularly interested in the ways society and cultures can promote the concept of women as imperfect or broken."

Sinkhole is rooted in psychological sci-fi and horror and with a focus on commentary on the human condition, it promises to be worth the wait as the release date for the upcoming film has yet to be determined.

Universal beat out ten other bidders for movie rights from Krow's book and secured a tight budget. Rae and Peele are no strangers to Universal Pictures and have worked on multi-million dollar blockbuster projects, US and Out for Peele, Little and The Photograph with Issa as executive producer. Issa Rae Productions will serve as a producer alongside Universal and Jordan Peele's company Monkeypaw for the film.

Rae and Peele have signature artistries when it comes to confronting societal issues and the human condition. Rae's quirky writing style has evolved over the years and shot her to stardom with the hit series Insecure, which has recently been renewed for a fifth season. What Rae shares with Peele is perfect comedic timing. Rae uses humour in Insecure to speak on the varying hardships that Black women face while Peele expands on the psychological underpinnings of race theory in Us and Get Out. Rae, an Emmy award-winning actress, writer and producer, has a subtle but strong ability to shift focus on tenuous, controversial subject matters that affect Black lives.

Two women sitting in a red convertible and staring sideways at the camera.
Profiles & Interviews

Jade Osiberu Wants 'Christmas In Lagos' To Be A Holiday Classic

The rom-com tells a moving and hilarious holiday story of lost love and second chances with Lagos at its center.

​A still from Mati Diop’s ‘Dahomey.’
Film + TV

The 10 Best African Documentaries of 2024

These groundbreaking African documentaries illuminate diverse struggles, resilience, and hope.