Bryce Dallas Howard Joins Anything But Ghosts as Hollywood’s Next Horror Mystery Heats Up

Bryce Dallas Howard is stepping into the dark — and this time, the mystery is part of the appeal.

The Jurassic World star has joined the cast of Anything But Ghosts, the upcoming horror feature from writer-director Curry Barker and writer-star Cooper Tomlinson. The film, which also stars Aaron Paul, wrapped production earlier this month, but its plot remains firmly under lock and key.

That secrecy has only made the project more intriguing. In a horror market crowded with sequels, reboots and familiar IP, Anything But Ghosts is drawing attention for a different reason: it brings together a fast-rising filmmaker, a high-profile cast and some of the most influential producers in modern genre filmmaking.

Bryce Dallas Howard Steps Into Curry Barker’s Secretive New Film

Howard is among the latest names attached to Anything But Ghosts, a mysterious feature directed by Curry Barker from a script he co-wrote with frequent collaborator Cooper Tomlinson.

Tomlinson stars opposite Aaron Paul, while Barker also appears in the film. For now, official plot details have not been revealed, giving the project an unusually strong air of suspense even before any footage has been released.

That silence may be strategic. A title like Anything But Ghosts naturally invites questions. Is the film playing with supernatural expectations? Is it a psychological horror story? Is the title a misdirect? At this stage, the lack of information is doing exactly what a smart horror rollout should do: creating curiosity without overexplaining the fear.

Why Anything But Ghosts Is Already Turning Heads

The film first attracted attention in Hollywood when it was announced in September. One major reason was the producing team.

Anything But Ghosts marks the first collaboration between horror power players Jason Blum and Roy Lee, who are backing Barker at a moment when the filmmaker is becoming one of the industry’s most closely watched new genre voices.

Blum is producing through Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, while Lee is producing through Spooky Pictures. The project also includes Paranormal Activity producer Steven Schneider, along with Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath for Divide/Conquer. Image Nation and Barker and Tomlinson’s company That’s a Bad Idea are also producing.

That combination gives the film more than just indie-horror credibility. It places Anything But Ghosts inside a network of producers who understand how to turn a sharp genre idea into a theatrical conversation.

Curry Barker’s Rapid Rise in Horror

Curry Barker’s name is a major part of the story.

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s buzziest up-and-coming horror directors, Barker came from the world of sketch comedy. He later gained industry attention with Milk & Serial, an $800 horror feature released on YouTube that demonstrated how far a strong concept and confident execution can travel without a traditional studio machine behind it.

His profile rose further with Obsession, a much-discussed feature that became one of the biggest sales out of the Toronto Film Festival. Focus Features is preparing to release that film on May 15, further positioning Barker as a filmmaker with serious momentum.

That momentum is not slowing down. Barker has also signed on to reinvent The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24, one of the most filmmaker-driven studios currently operating in the genre space.

Taken together, those moves explain why Anything But Ghosts is being watched so closely. This is not just another horror title with a mysterious logline. It is the next step in the career of a filmmaker Hollywood appears increasingly eager to bet on.

What Bryce Dallas Howard Brings to the Project

Howard’s casting gives Anything But Ghosts a major boost in visibility.

She is best known to global audiences for leading the Jurassic World trilogy, but her screen work has ranged across genres, including the Elton John biopic Rocketman, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, Tate Taylor’s The Help and Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle.

That range matters for a horror film whose plot remains unknown. Howard can bring blockbuster familiarity, emotional grounding and a polished screen presence — qualities that can help a genre film feel accessible without dulling its edge.

She has also built a strong reputation behind the camera. Howard has directed key episodes of several Disney+ Star Wars series, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew. That directing experience has expanded how the industry views her: not only as a franchise star, but as a filmmaker with a clear command of tone, visual storytelling and large-scale world-building.

Aaron Paul and Cooper Tomlinson Add More Intrigue

Howard is not the only major draw.

Aaron Paul brings a very different kind of energy to the project. Known for performances that can carry intensity, vulnerability and emotional volatility, Paul is a natural fit for horror or psychological suspense. His presence suggests that Anything But Ghosts may have room for character-driven tension, not just scares.

Tomlinson’s role is equally important. As both star and co-writer, he is not simply appearing in Barker’s film — he is helping shape its voice. His ongoing collaboration with Barker suggests that Anything But Ghosts may retain the personal, closely held creative identity that often separates memorable horror from formulaic studio fare.

Focus Features and the New Horror Economy

Focus Features recently acquired Anything But Ghosts, adding another layer of credibility to the project. The studio is also preparing to release Barker’s Obsession, suggesting continued confidence in his work.

That matters because horror is no longer treated as a narrow commercial lane. Over the past decade, genre films have become one of the most reliable spaces for emerging filmmakers, bold ideas and strong theatrical returns. A horror title no longer needs to be built around existing IP to attract attention. Sometimes, the combination of a sharp concept, a distinctive director and the right cast is enough.

Anything But Ghosts appears to be operating in exactly that space.

Why Hollywood Is Watching Anything But Ghosts

There are several reasons the project is gaining heat.

First, Barker is on a clear upward trajectory. From a low-budget YouTube horror film to Obsession, Toronto buzz and a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre project for A24, his rise has been unusually fast.

Second, the cast gives the film broader appeal. Howard brings mainstream recognition, Paul brings dramatic intensity and Tomlinson brings a direct creative connection to the script.

Third, the producing team gives the project serious genre muscle. With Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Spooky Pictures, Divide/Conquer, Image Nation and Focus Features involved, Anything But Ghosts has the kind of backing that can turn a mysterious horror title into a major release conversation.

A Mystery With Real Momentum

At this stage, Anything But Ghosts is still keeping its secrets. Audiences do not yet know what the film is about, what kind of role Howard will play, or whether the title is literal, ironic or deliberately misleading.

But that uncertainty is part of the hook.

In an entertainment landscape where many projects are overexplained before they ever reach theaters, Anything But Ghosts is benefiting from restraint. It has not revealed the monster, the twist or even the premise. Instead, it has built attention through names, timing and trust.

With Bryce Dallas Howard joining Aaron Paul under Curry Barker’s direction, Anything But Ghosts now looks less like a quiet genre experiment and more like one of the horror projects to watch. The ghosts may still be absent from the official details, but the buzz around this film is very much alive.