Scripted

Rabbit Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights, excluding Finland and Estonia, to Healer (original title: Parantaja, 6 x 45’), a new psychological thriller from Finnish production company Fire Monkey, commissioned by Elisa Viihde.

The series centers on Emma, a successful surgeon whose life takes a dramatic turn after a medical mistake results in the death of a pregnant woman. Under pressure from public scrutiny and facing threats, she leaves her old life behind and relocates with her family to Suomenlinna, the historic fortress island off Helsinki. Her new surroundings introduce her to Roosa, an influential wellness guru who runs a yoga collective built around alternative approaches to healing. As Emma becomes increasingly involved with the group, she starts to question everything she once believed in, eventually becoming convinced that she possesses the ability to heal others through touch. Emma’s growing involvement takes a darker turn when the husband of the woman who died arrives on the island. What initially appears to be an opportunity to rebuild her life soon develops into a dangerous situation in which the distinctions between genuine healing, manipulation and control become increasingly difficult to identify.

Created and written by Laura Suhonen and directed by Marja Pyykkö, the cast includes Lotta Kaihua, Mimosa Willamo, Jussi Nikkilä, Lauri Tilkanen, Petteri Summanen and Stella Leppikorpi. Rabbit Films will take Healer to the international market in both finished-tape and scripted-format versions.

Jonathan Tuovinen, SVP International at Rabbit Films, commented: “Healer is the kind of scripted title that can travel because its world is immediately distinctive, while its emotional core is completely universal. The combination of a medical fall from grace, a seductive wellness community and an increasingly dangerous relationship gives the series a very clear hook for finished tape buyers. At the same time, the premise and character dynamics make it highly adaptable as a scripted format, so we are extremely excited to be representing the series internationally across both finished-tape and format rights.”
Roope Lehtinen, Co-founder and Executive Producer at Fire Monkey, added: “From the beginning, we wanted Healer to feel both intimate and unsettling. It is a story about what happens when a rational person loses faith in the system that has defined her life and becomes vulnerable to someone offering absolute answers. Laura Suhonen has created a thriller that is emotionally grounded, contemporary and full of unexpected turns, and we are delighted to be working with Rabbit to take the series to audiences around the world.”
Ani Korpela, Chief Content Officer at Elisa Viihde, continued: “Elisa Viihde has always believed in ambitious Finnish drama with the potential to resonate far beyond its home market. Healer combines a distinctly Finnish setting with themes that are instantly recognisable internationally — guilt, grief, family, trust and the search for meaning. We are very pleased that Rabbit will now introduce the series to the wider international audience.”