Greg Berlanti And Sarah Schechter Team With Amazon MGM Studios For Dark Comedy Feature Hang The Decorators

Amazon MGM Studios has officially acquired the rights to develop Hang the Decorators, an upcoming dark comedy feature film that draws upon a bizarre and perilous chapter of real-life criminal history. Prolific producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter, operating through their banner Berlanti/Schechter Films, are set to produce the project, which is currently in active development. The screenplay is penned by acclaimed writer Mike Makowsky, whose previous credits include Netflix’s critically lauded limited series Death by Lightning and the Emmy-winning HBO film Bad Education.

The acquisition underscores Amazon MGM Studios’ continued appetite for high-profile, character-driven feature projects that blend darkly comedic tones with high-stakes dramatic tension. By bringing together a powerhouse creative team known for both commercial appeal and critical prestige, the studio is positioning Hang the Decorators as a major title in its developing slate.

A Gripping True Story of Extravagance and Peril

Based on extraordinary real events, Hang the Decorators centers on the lives of Alexander Blarek and Frank Pellecchia. The narrative follows the two men, both gay interior designers, as they navigate an intoxicating world of immense wealth, unexpected personal freedom, and latent danger. The catalyst for their journey occurs when they are hired to design extravagant mega-homes for one of the world’s most dangerous drug kingpins and his captivating, enigmatic wife.

What begins as a lucrative and dazzling professional opportunity quickly spirals into a harrowing test of survival. As the glittering facade of their high-society clientele begins to fracture under the weight of federal scrutiny and criminal paranoia, Blarek and Pellecchia find themselves caught in the crosshairs of a collapsing empire. The film explores the profound personal limits of loyalty, examining how far the two men are willing to go to protect one another. Ultimately, their steadfast refusal to turn against each other threatens to cost them everything they have built—and perhaps their lives.

The creative vision for the film bridges the gap between opulent satire and tense psychological drama, a tonal balance that drew immediate interest from major studio executives upon the script’s entry into the marketplace.

Behind the Scenes: A Powerhouse Creative Team

The development of Hang the Decorators brings together a seasoned group of producers and creators with proven track records in both television and feature film production. Alongside Berlanti and Schechter, the film is being produced by writer Mike Makowsky and Yan Fisher of Invisible String Films. Michael McGrath, the Executive Vice President of Berlanti/Schechter Films, was instrumental in discovering the material and bringing the project to the production company.

Makowsky’s involvement brings significant creative weight to the production. The writer-producer is coming off a massive career milestone with the Netflix limited series Death by Lightning, where he created and penned every episode. The project garnered widespread critical acclaim, sweeping awards circuits including Gotham, AFI, and TCA honors, alongside four Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Prior to Death by Lightning, Makowsky wrote and produced the dark comedy-drama Bad Education, starring Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney. The film world-premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to enthusiastic reviews before being acquired by HBO in a landmark global deal valued at $20 million. Makowsky’s work on Bad Education earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie, establishing his distinct voice in blending sharp humor with complex real-world drama. Makowsky is represented in the industry by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.

On the producing front, Berlanti/Schechter Films remains one of the most prolific and influential production entities in the entertainment industry. The company has a hand in numerous high-profile film and television projects across various streaming and traditional broadcast networks. Currently, Berlanti/Schechter Films is in post-production on the highly anticipated romantic comedy feature Red, White & Royal Wedding, further cementing their dominance in the contemporary film landscape.

The Evolution of Amazon MGM Studios’ Film Strategy

The acquisition of Hang the Decorators reflects Amazon MGM Studios’ broader strategic shift following Amazon’s acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in March 2022 for $8.5 billion. Under the leadership of head of film and television Jennifer Salke, the combined studio has aggressively pursued original, high-concept feature projects designed to appeal to global audiences while fostering relationships with top-tier creative talent.

Dark comedies and true-crime-adjacent narratives have historically performed well on streaming platforms and in theatrical windows, offering a unique blend of escapism and visceral suspense. By framing Hang the Decorators around the lesser-known perspectives of interior designers caught in the orbit of organized crime, the project offers a fresh lens through which to view the well-trodden cinematic territory of the drug trade. Rather than focusing solely on law enforcement or the kingpins themselves, the narrative elevates the domestic laborers, service providers, and auxiliary figures whose proximity to power often places them in mortal peril.

Industry Implications and Market Reception

The marketplace response to the pitch and subsequent acquisition of Hang the Decorators highlights a sustained demand for prestige-adjacent material with distinct character arcs. In an entertainment landscape increasingly saturated by intellectual property and franchise reboots, original stories rooted in bizarre historical truths continue to attract elite talent.

The involvement of Greg Berlanti—widely recognized as one of the most commercially successful television producers in history, having shepherded dozens of series simultaneously—adds significant institutional backing to the film. Combined with Sarah Schechter’s strategic oversight and Makowsky’s sharp, award-winning writing sensibilities, the project possesses all the structural components necessary to attract top-flight acting talent for the starring roles of Blarek and Pellecchia.

As development continues under the Amazon MGM Studios banner, casting announcements and production timelines are expected to be revealed in the coming months. The film is anticipated to move swiftly through its pre-production phases, given the high level of enthusiasm from the producing partners and studio executives alike.

Broader Context: The Intersection of Design and Danger in Cinema

Films that explore the collision of luxury, aesthetic excess, and criminal enterprise have a rich history in American cinema. From depictions of opulent cartel compounds to the meticulous interior styling demanded by high-net-worth individuals living on the fringes of the law, the visual language of wealth serves as a potent cinematic tool.

In Hang the Decorators, the juxtaposition of high-end interior design against the gritty, unpredictable violence of a global drug syndicate provides fertile ground for dark comedic beats and escalating tension. The emotional core of the film—anchored by the queer protagonists’ devotion to one another amidst systemic betrayal—elevates the material beyond standard crime caper territory, positioning it as a character study in resilience and solidarity.

As Amazon MGM Studios continues to curate its feature film slate for upcoming theatrical and streaming windows, Hang the Decorators stands out as a prime example of the studio’s commitment to diverse storytelling, high-caliber writing, and compelling true-life narratives. With a stellar creative team now assembled, the project moves into its next phase of development with considerable momentum.