Blumhouse Acquires Japanese Thriller 'Sparks'

Blumhouse Television has acquired the rights to adapt Shusuke Shizukui's acclaimed Japanese novel, 'Sparks' (Hi No Ko). Krystal Houghton Ziv, known for her work on 'Wolf Pack' and 'The Purge,' will write the psychological thriller pilot for the U.S. adaptation and executive produce. The original novel, published by Gentosha, has achieved significant commercial success, selling over 770,000 copies in Japan.

The narrative of 'Sparks' centers on Takeuchi Shingo, a man previously acquitted of serial murders, who moves next door to the retired judge who acquitted him. Takeuchi's outwardly charming demeanor masks a violent temper when he feels rejected, leading to unsettling incidents that threaten the judge's family. The story unfolds as Yukimi, the wife of the judge's son, becomes aware of Takeuchi's dangerous nature and attempts to expose him.

This new U.S. adaptation follows a previous successful Japanese television miniseries adaptation that aired in 2016. That adaptation was the inaugural title in Fuji TV Network's new drama slot and achieved the highest first-episode satisfaction rating for a season premiere in its broadcast history. Shusuke Shizukui, the author, is a prolific and bestselling writer whose works have frequently been adapted for film and television.