Chris Messina is set to star in Devil, Universal Pictures' horror-thriller based on an M. Night Shyamalan story. John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle (Quarantine) will direct.

According to Variety, Shyamalan and Sam Mercer are producing. Brian Nelson (30 Days of Night) wrote the script. The Dowdles will be exec producers.

The plot is being kept under wraps, but sources said Messina plays the lead role of Bowden, a sobered-up homicide detective.

Production begins in Toronto on Oct. 26.