Horror streamer Shudder has debuted the official trailer for director Paolo Strippoli’s The Holy Boy. The film, which one the Audience Award at this year’s Fantastic Fest, will stream exclusively on Shudder beginning November 27, 2026.
In the film, Sergio (Michele Riondino), a teacher tormented by his past is transferred to Remis, a secluded village known as the happiest town in Italy. But Sergio soon discovers that behind the town’s joyful facade lies a disturbing secret: Each week, the villagers gather to hug Matteo (Giulio Feltri), an introverted fifteen-year-old whose embrace can free one of all pain and sorrow. As Sergio uncovers that the village’s devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community’s vengeful nature.
Watch the official trailer in the player below:
On top of bagging the Audience Award, The Holy Boy also picked up the New Wave Best Director award at Fantastic Fest 2026. Additionally the film was also part of the official selection at both the Venice Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival this year.
Paolo Strippoli was born in Corato, Bari, Italy in 1993. He graduated in Film Directing from the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome after obtaining a degree in Performing Arts and Sciences from La Sapienza University. In 2019, he won the Franco Solinas Award for Best Screenplay with the film L’angelo infelice, written with Jacopo del Giudice and Milo Tissone. In 2020, he directed the Netflix original film A Classic Horror Story with Roberto De Feo, winning Best Director at the 67th Taormina Film Fest. In 2022 his second feature film, the psychological horror Piove, is released, competing at the Sitges Film Festival, Austin Fantastic Fest, and Alice Nella Città. His third and fourth films, The Holy Boy (La valle dei sorrisi) and The Spiral (L’estranea),will be released this year.
Horror fans in the US can catch the film as it tours independent cinemas across the rest of this month. Screenings are available in the following cities on dates below:
Friday, November 20th at 9pm
NEW YORK – Soho House and Ludlow House
LOS ANGELES – Soho House West Hollywood
CHICAGO – Soho House
Sunday, November 22nd at 7pm
NEW YORK – The Twisted Spine (Brooklyn)
Monday, November 23rd at 9pm
AUSTIN – Soho House
NASHVILLE – Soho House
The Holy Boy streams on Shudder beginning Friday, November 27, 2026.
