Anna Zackrisson’s suspenseful new drama film Deliver Me entered production at the beginning of February in Stockholm. Over the last few years, the director has worked on three series – namely, Snow Angels (2021), White Wall (2020) and The Restaurant (2018-2019).

Based on Malin Persson Giolito’s best-selling novel of the same name and penned by head writer Alex Haridi together with Amanda Högberg, Deliver Me promises to be “at once a poignant portrayal of the power of childhood friendship and a shattering depiction of what happens when a society fails to protect those who need it most”.

The official press release disclosed the picture’s synopsis, which reads as follows: “Snow falls softly over a desolate public pool. A 14-year-old boy lies face down in front of a swing set as his life drains out of the gaping wound in his head. Behind him stands his best friend, a warm gun in his trembling hand.

“When children commit horrible crimes, who bears the responsibility? And what does it do to us all when we allow ourselves to view children as monsters? At the centre of this gut-wrenching story are the lost children: those we fail to catch before they fall between the cracks – whether due to negligence, poverty or social alienation. The single mothers, the grocer in the town square, the local cop – no one is left untouched in a society where escalating violence is taking over struggling fringe communities,” the press release further explains.

Newcomers Yasir Hassan and Olle Strand will star as the two best friends, 14-year-old boys Billy and Dogge. Yusra Warsama will be playing Leila, Billy’s mother, and Ane Dahl Torp and Henrik Norlén star as Dogge’s parents, Jill and Teo. The main cast also includes Ardalan Esmaili as local police officer Farid, Mahmut Suvakci as Sudden, Solomon Njie as Mehdi and Abdirahman Mohamed as Tusse, Billy’s younger brother.

Commenting on her new effort, Zackrisson said: “It’s a dynamic mix of new talent and experienced actors. We just started filming two weeks ago, and I’m wildly impressed by all of them. They are so powerful and fearless in depicting this vulnerable story. I’m excited to be embarking on this journey with them.”

Deliver Me is being produced by Frida Asp and Fatima Varhos for Stockholm-based outfit Asp Varhos. Netflix is set to release it in 2024.