Young Blood, the new vampire thriller is taking shape in the Florida Keys, and it’s bringing together an intriguing mix of genre veterans and rising talent. Young Blood, a vampire island film written and directed by Ari Schlossberg, is currently in production in Key Largo, Florida, with Theo Rossi, Mario Van Peebles and Derek Wilson.
A Spring Break Trip Turns Deadly
Young Blood follows three college best friends who travel to Key Largo expecting an unforgettable spring break. What begins as a carefree getaway quickly descends into terror when they find themselves stranded on a deserted island—one that turns out to be home to starving, bloodthirsty vampires. With no easy escape and predators closing in, the vacation fantasy gives way to a fight for survival.
While details about the mythology are being kept under wraps, the presence of three veteran actors as vampire power brokers suggests a layered hierarchy rather than mindless monsters—an approach likely to appeal to genre fans who enjoy vampires with history, rules and authority.
A Genre-Friendly Creative Team
Behind the camera, Young Blood marks another genre entry for Schlossberg, who both wrote and directed the film. The project is executive produced by Matt Luber, Kelly Pendygraft, and Brian Gottlieb, with additional executive producers Celina Borges Torrealba Carpi, Sergio Borges Torrealba Carpi, and Arvin Scott. WeBros Entertainment’s Michael Weiss, Andy Weiss, and Gregg Barbagallo are producing, with international sales handled by Babacar Diene of Paradigm.
Andy Weiss brings prior screenwriting experience on films including Middle Men and White Boy Rick, while Michael Weiss has producing and executive producing credits across a range of recent features, adding a level of commercial experience to the indie genre project.
A Cast with Deep Genre Roots
Rossi continues to build an eclectic genre résumé, recently appearing in the DC crime series The Penguin, the Netflix feature Carry On and several upcoming projects spanning horror, action and thrillers. His involvement signals a darker, more grounded presence for the film’s vampire leadership.
Van Peebles brings decades of screen history, with credits ranging from Heartbreak Ridge to New Jack City and Ali, along with an ongoing legacy as a filmmaker willing to push genre boundaries. Wilson, meanwhile, is well known to genre audiences for his work on Future Man, The Boys, Gen V, Birds of Prey and Preacher, making him a natural fit for a supernatural thriller that mixes intensity with character-driven conflict.
Why Young Blood Is One to Watch
With its island setting, multigenerational vampire antagonists and a survival-horror framework, the Young Blood vampire thriller positions itself at the intersection of youthful adventure and classic vampire menace. For fans of vampire fiction that leans into hierarchy, power dynamics and predators who have been hunting long before the protagonists arrive, this is a project worth keeping an eye on as production continues.
Tags: movie vampires