Chris Blackwell's PalmPictures has acquired all US and Caribbean rights to Olivier Assayas'thriller demonlover, with plansfor a theatrical release in the autumn followed by a DVD release in 2004.

The multi-layered storycentres on a corporate mole who discovers an online torture chamber. ConnieNielson (Gladiator, One Hour Photo),Chloe Sevigny (Boys Don't Cry),Gina Gershon (Bound) and CharlesBerling (Les Destinees) star,with a soundtrack by independent rock band Sonic Youth.

The picture played in competitionat Cannes last year to mixed reviews and received its US premiere at NewYork's Lincoln Centre in early Februaryas part of Film Comment'sannual selection of films.

"demonlover is an incredible accomplishment by Olivier Assayasthat has and will continue to spark much debate," Palm Pictures' DavidKoh and Ryan Werner said in a statement. "demonlover represents Assayas' most ambitious work to date, andits originality underscores Palm Pictures' commitment to bringing consumersfilms with a unique perspective."

Koh, who is Palm'shead of acquisitions and production, and Werner, head of theatricaldistribution, closed the deal on the film with Carole Baraton of Wild Bunch.

Palm Pictures' upcomingtheatrical releases include: Dagur Kari's critically acclaimed debut, NoiAlbinoi; Claude Berri's The Housekeeper; Danny and Oxide Pang's The Eye and Baltasar Kormakur's The Sea.