Swedish stunner Katia Winter is joining Ted Levine (Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs) and Michael McMillian (“True Blood”) in The Banshee Chapter, a trippy psych-thriller from actor Zachary Quinto’s new production shingle Before the Door. Winter will play a journalist in search of a missing friend who had been researching mind-altering chemicals for the CIA.

From the press release:

The Banshee Chapter centers on a young, female journalist (Winter) who follows the mysterious trail of a missing friend (McMillian) that had been experimenting with mind-altering chemicals developed in secret government drug tests.

Levine plays the role of a rogue counter-culture novelist with a penchant for substance abuse and firearms who leads the journalist into the mystery of dangerous chemical research.

A fast-paced blend of fact and fiction, the film is based on real documents, actual test subject testimony, and uncovered secrets about programs run by the CIA.

Winter will next be seen opposite Sam Jackson and Nina Dobrev in the upcoming sci-fi cheese-fest Arena. Her previous creds include indie-frighteners The Seer and the little seen—but very fun—Malice in Wonderland, starring Maggie Grace (“LOST”).

The Banshee Chapter is set to roll cameras this week in New Mexico.

Photo: Michael Powell Photography