Oscilloscope Buys North American Rights to Rave Thriller Game

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Game, the British rave thriller from Invada Films, the banner of Portishead founder Geoff Barrow, with a theatre release in North America planned for winter 2027, as reported by Variety. The deal covers the licence to release the film in the United States and Canada. It gives the picture a North American home and a cinema window more than a year out.

Game is described as a rave thriller and is the first feature directed by visual artist John Minton. It is also the first film from Invada Films. The news was published on 15 September 2026, making it the most recent account of the project's release plans.

The film stars Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods and Marc Bessant. Both performers take their first leading roles on screen. Williamson is known to music audiences through Sleaford Mods, while Bessant co-originated the story behind the film. Their casting puts two newcomers to film leads at the centre of the picture.

Rob Williams wrote the screenplay from a story by Barrow and Bessant. The script was developed with Minton and Williams. Deborah Rawlings produces alongside Barrow. The credit block keeps the project close to its originators, with the founder and his co-writer staying on as producers.

The story is set against the British rave scene of 1993. Bessant plays David, an ageing raver who crashes his car in woods after stealing money and drugs. He is discovered there by a mysterious poacher, played by Williamson. The set-up is tight. Two men. Remote woods. A theft that cannot be undone.

Oscilloscope Laboratories, the buyer, was founded in 2008 by Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys. The distributor works with independent titles across cinemas and home viewing. Its purchase gives a US independent route to a British production rooted in music.

Invada had previously pointed to a UK and Ireland theatre release on 21 November, according to V13. That earlier plan provides context for the North American move, which follows the home-territory launch. What makes this stand out for general audiences is the crossover. A Portishead founder producing, a Sleaford Mods frontman co-leading, and a visual artist directing bring a music-led sensibility to a thriller format. For fans, this means the North American date is the one to watch, with winter 2027 now the stated window.