Rising star Rachel Sennott is the latest addition to the increasingly stacked cast of Kockroach, a surreal crime thriller that already boasts the likes of Chris Hemsworth and Taron Egerton. With filming set to begin imminently, the project is shaping up to be one of the more curious entries on the upcoming slate.

Directed by Matt Ross, the film has been described as a Kafkaesque crime story, a tone that immediately suggests something more psychologically off-kilter than your standard gangster fare. Adapted from William Lashner’s novel, it follows a mysterious outsider who infiltrates New York’s criminal underworld, gradually building power while unsettling the systems already in place.

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Sennott’s involvement feels particularly inspired. Best known for her sharp comedic timing and ability to toe the line between awkwardness and emotional clarity, she has carved out a niche playing characters who feel both hyper-specific and disarmingly real. Dropping her into a world this stylised hints at an interesting tonal clash, or perhaps a perfect fit.

She joins an ensemble that also includes Zazie Beetz and Alec Baldwin, with production reportedly kicking off as early as next week. The film has already undergone a few notable casting shifts on its way to the screen, but what remains consistent is its ambition to blend crime drama with something far stranger and more existential.

If nothing else, Kockroach is assembling a cast that suggests confidence in its oddness. Between Sennott’s unpredictable energy and the more traditionally dramatic weight of her co-stars, it could land anywhere between gripping and completely unhinged. Either way, it is unlikely to be forgettable.