First Footage From French Body Horror Film ‘Species’ Released Ahead of Cannes Midnight Screening Premiere

Sales company WTFilms, known for handling bold and unusual genre films, has released the first footage from Species, a French body horror movie directed by Marion Le Corroller. The clip arrives ahead of the film’s premiere at the Cannes Midnight Screenings this week, according to WTFilms and festival-related materials.

The footage gives an early look at a disturbing hospital-based story that mixes medical drama with body horror elements. It also sets the tone for a film that focuses on physical transformation, stress, and fear inside a high-pressure environment.

Species stars Mara Taquin as Margot, a young doctor working as an intern in one of the most demanding emergency rooms in the country. The story follows her struggle to survive intense workplace pressure while strange cases begin to appear among incoming patients. At the same time, Margot starts to experience changes in her own body that become increasingly hard to ignore.

The cast also includes Karin Viard, Kim Higelin, and Sami Outalbali. The newly released footage shows a hospital setting where an infected employee begins to lose control, hinting at violent and graphic moments in the film.

Director Marion Le Corroller explained in an interview with Deadline that the idea for the film did not come from medicine itself, but from her time working in finance. She described it as an environment that pushed her to think about pressure and adaptation in extreme ways.

“It was far worse. I never managed to adapt myself to this work environment and that was my main inspiration for the film,” Le Corroller said. “I wanted to tell a story about bodies forced to change, to evolve and adapt to a very toxic and demanding workplace.”

She also spoke about being inspired by other French filmmakers working in the body horror genre, including Coralie Fargeat and Julia Ducournau. Le Corroller said these directors have helped shape a new way of exploring the human body on screen.

“They are both very inspiring women. I think French female directors are very politically engaged. Talking about bodies and offering a new way to look at them is a game changer. It’s very important, that us, women, take this responsibility,” she said.

She also mentioned filmmaker Ari Aster as another influence on her work, calling him a major modern voice in horror.

Species is produced by Windy Production and Trésor Films, with WTFilms handling international sales during the Cannes Film Festival.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!