‘Bloody Tennis’ Director on What His Horror Film Says About Society: ‘Ruthlessness Is Rewarded, Not Compassion’ (EXCLUSIVE)

May 9, 2026 4:08am PT ‘Bloody Tennis’ Director on What His Horror Film Says About Society: ‘Ruthlessness Is Rewarded, Not Compassion’ (EXCLUSIVE)

By Leo Barraclough

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Leo Barraclough

International Features Editor

LeoBarraclough

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At the Cannes Market, sales agency The Playmaker will be showing a teaser for Nikias Chryssos’ horror film “Bloody Tennis.” Variety spoke to the German director about his debut English-language movie, which stars Sandra Guldberg Kampp (“Foundation”), seen in the first-look image from the film, above, and Golden Globe nominee Helena Zengel (“News of the World,” “The Legend of Ochi”).

The cast also includes Elina Löwensohn (“Amateur”), Zlatko Burić (“Triangle of Sadness”), Lucie Zhang (“Paris, 13th District”), Lily Taieb (“The French Dispatch,” “Bergman Island”), Vincent Romeo and Tracy Gotoas.

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