The horror film billed as the scariest of 2020 so far finally has a release date in the US.

The news comes after Relic – starring Robyn Neven, Emily Mortimer and Bella Heathcote – was acquired by IFC Midnight.

The film, which made waves at Sundance Film Festival in January, follows a daughter and granddaughter’s search for their mother and grandmother Edna after she goes missing from their remote family home.

When she returns, though, a sinister presence begins taking control of her.

Relic is the debut of Japanese-Australian director Natalie Erika James, and following its premiere at the Utah festival, the film scored rave reviews from “stunned” critics.

Variety called Relic “deeply creepy”, writing that the film – which is drawing comparisons to Hereditary and The Babadook – sets the bar high for horror films in 2020.

Bloody Disgusting said the film presents a “bone-chilling depiction of dementia”.

Jake Gyllenhaal serves as a producer on the film alongside Riva Marker.

Relic will be released in the US on 10 July, and a UK release date is yet to be announced.