EXCLUSIVE: Michael Shannon’s feature directorial debut, the drama Eric Larue, about two parents who seek comfort in different religious communities after their son commits a horrific act, will be released in theaters on April 4 by Magnolia Pictures.

For the film, which was based on Brett Neveu’s 2002 play, Shannon put together a platinum-class cast that included Judy Greer, Annie Parisse, Tracy Letts, Paul Sparks, Alison Pill, and Alexander Skarsgård.

At the Tribeca Festival, Eric Larue had its international premiere. North American rights belong to Magnolia.

Greer portrays Janice, who is dealing with the consequences of her son killing three of his classmates in high school. She struggles and lives as though in a daze, unable to let go of her irritation and rage. Despite her pastor’s entreaties to meet with the mothers of her son’s victims in order to heal her wounds, Janice finds it difficult to find comfort in her faith, while her husband (Skarsgård) has found sanctuary at a new church.

Shannon tells Deadline, “I am astonished by my extraordinary good fortune to have Magnolia, a business I have long loved, distribute my debut picture as a director.” “My goal was to create a movie that would provide some form of healing regarding a problem that has perplexed our nation for a considerable amount of time, and Eric LaRue holds as much significance for me as any acting work I have ever done. Gun violence in schools and the countless repercussions it has on our society are that problem.

Eric Larue is a Brace Cove and Caliwood Pictures production. Karl Hartman (Being the Ricardos), Jina Panebianco (Famous), and Sarah Green (The Bikeriders) produced the film. Both R and Jeff Nichols, Shannon’s regular collaborator, are EPs. Declan Baldwin, Byron Wetzel, Meghan Schumacher, Joseph Panebianco, John D. Straley, and Wesley Sierk.

On behalf of the filmmakers, CAA Media Finance and Range Select negotiated the film’s deal.