From writer-director Victoria Negri comes Ultra: the story of Eve, an ultramarathon runner whose life begins to descend into chaos after the sudden, tragic death of her twin sister. Desperate to escape her pain and prove something to herself, Eve signs up for one of the most demanding races on Earth: the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon. This grueling 135-mile race cuts through the harsh terrain and blistering heat of Death Valley, pushing runners to their physical, mental, and emotional limits. But for Eve, the true test comes when she realizes she's not alone on the course. Haunted by the loss of her sister and stalked by a mysterious runner clad in white, she must confront her trauma-and possibly her own mind-before it consumes her completely.
A Story Rooted in Emotion and Endurance
Victoria Negri takes on a very personal approach to this project. A filmmaker known for Gold Star and the documentary short Personal Best, long-distance running holds a special place in her heart. In her personal life, Negri found solace through endurance running after her father had suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed. His struggle and eventual passing hit her hard, pushing her to find meaning and strength through running marathons and ultramarathons."My father was a distance runner, left paralyzed by a stroke. Running, the thing that gave him life, was taken from him. He suffered and finally succumbed," Negri reflected in a statement. "While finding my emotional footing, I grew to become an ultrarunner. It's through testing my limits in these epic races that I process loss-physical pain being the greatest metaphor for the emotional." "Although my grief is always with me, I've learned I'm strong enough to handle it, to handle anything. I wrote Ultra from this intense personal journey, using running as the cinematic vehicle to depict the ways in which we process grief-whether we carry it with us by our side, or see it in the rearview mirror, we're never able to outrun its lingering presence," Negri continued.
Shailene Woodley: An Actress Who Relishes Depth
Woodley has made her career playing complex, emotionally charged characters who often find themselves fighting inner demons, from her breakout performance in The Descendants to the franchise-defining Divergent series and her Emmy-nominated performance in Big Little Lies. Her ability to bring a level of vulnerability, strength, and authenticity in her performances is a skill that seems to be unmatched.
This is raw, character-driven storytelling where Woodley finds her best footing. Her commitment to authenticity-whether it's embracing physical challenges on screen or immersing herself in the emotional weight of a role-makes her a perfect fit for Negri's vision. It's not that Woodley performs pain; she inhabits it, which renders it truthful and powerful.
The World of ‘Ultra': Beauty, Pain, and Psychological Mystery
Set against the scorching backdrop of Death Valley, Ultra combines the visual beauty of vast, barren landscapes with the claustrophobic tension of a psychological thriller. The Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is known as one of the toughest races on Earth, pushing runners through relentless heat, dehydration, and terrain that plays mind games. For Eve, the physical journey mirrors her internal one. Every step she takes forward pulls her deeper into her own psyche.
Behind the Film: The Team
Ultra's international sales are being handled by Mister Smith Entertainment, which will be presenting the film at the American Film Market in Los Angeles. WME Independent is spearheading U.S. distribution. Producers include Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read for Savage Rose Films, behind critical hits such as Everything Everywhere All at Once and American Honey, with Iris Torres.
Shailene Woodley's Recent and Future Projects
Woodley has continued to prove her range with each new project she has taken on. Most recently, she appeared in the wordless action-thriller Motor City for director Potsy Ponciroli, opposite Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster, and Pablo Schreiber. It was a showcase for her ability to convey emotion and tension sans dialogue-a skill that lined up perfectly with the internalized storytelling Ultra would require.
Beyond acting,
Woodley remains known for her passion surrounding environmental causes and her commitment to living mindfully. She has spoken repeatedly of her connection with nature and of her beliefs in grounding, minimalism, and authenticity-all qualities very much sewn into the seams of the character Eve. It is her real-life connection to themes of endurance and spirituality that further cements the idea that Ultra will be more than just another performance for her; it is a deeply personal artistic challenge.Represented by CAA, Range Media Partners, and Shelter PR, Woodley is consistently making active choices in selecting her roles to challenge not only herself as a performer but also the audiences’ expectations of what a leading woman in Hollywood can be. At the core, Ultra isn't just a survival thriller or a sports drama; it's an emotional journey to confrontation with loss. Running becomes a metaphor for grief: every mile, a step toward understanding, forgiveness, and acceptance. Through Eve's character, audiences may see reflections of their own battles with pain and endurance. Weaving her personal experience into the story is Negri's way of giving the film that raw authenticity to elevate it beyond traditional genre confines.
For Shailene Woodley, it's another step in the evolution of her acting career, one that tends toward honesty over spectacle. For Victoria Negri, it's an extension of her own healing journey, told through cinematic language about endurance and resilience. Together, they craft a story that captures the fragility and strength of the human spirit-a reminder that sometimes, to find peace, we must keep running, even when the path ahead seems endless.
Ultra is shaping up to be a film that won’t just test its characters; it will test audiences emotionally. It’s about what happens when we chase not just finish lines but the truths that lie within us.
As Shailene Woodley runs for her life on screen, the world will once again see what makes her one of the most fearless and compelling actresses of her generation.
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