First Footage From French Body Horror Film ‘Species’ Released Before Cannes Premiere

Sales company WTFilms, recognized for its bold and unconventional genre films, has unveiled the first footage from Species, a French body horror film directed by Marion Le Corroller. This clip comes just ahead of the film’s premiere at the Cannes Midnight Screenings this week, as reported by WTFilms and festival-related materials.

The footage offers a glimpse into a chilling hospital narrative that blends medical drama with body horror. It sets the stage for a story centered on physical transformation, stress, and fear within a high-pressure environment.

Species features Mara Taquin in the role of Margot, a young intern navigating one of the country’s most demanding emergency rooms. The plot follows her battle to cope with intense workplace pressures while encountering bizarre cases among incoming patients. Concurrently, Margot begins to notice unsettling changes in her own body that become increasingly difficult to ignore.

The cast also includes Karin Viard, Kim Higelin, and Sami Outalbali. The newly released footage showcases a hospital environment where an infected staff member begins to spiral out of control, hinting at the film’s violent and graphic moments.

In an interview with Deadline, director Marion Le Corroller shared that the film’s concept stemmed not from medicine, but from her experiences in finance. She described this environment as one that compelled her to contemplate pressure and adaptation in extreme circumstances.

“It was far worse. I never managed to adapt myself to this work environment and that was my main inspiration for the film,” Le Corroller stated. “I wanted to tell a story about bodies forced to change, to evolve and adapt to a very toxic and demanding workplace.”

She also spoke about her influences from other French filmmakers in the body horror genre, including Coralie Fargeat and Julia Ducournau. Le Corroller noted that these directors have contributed to a new perspective on exploring the human body on screen.

“They are both very inspiring women. I think French female directors are very politically engaged. Talking about bodies and offering a new way to look at them is a game changer. It’s very important, that us, women, take this responsibility,” she expressed.

Le Corroller also mentioned filmmaker Ari Aster as another significant influence on her work, recognizing him as a major contemporary voice in horror.

Species is produced by Windy Production and Trésor Films, with WTFilms managing international sales during the Cannes Film Festival.

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