Sophia Stallone Developing Series Adaptation Of S.T. Abby’s ‘Mindf*ck’ Books For Amazon MGM Studios
EXCLUSIVE: Under Balboa Productions‘ first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios, Sophia Stallone has launched development on Mindf*ck, a series adaptation of the popular psychological thriller book series by the late S.T. Abby.
Stallone championed the project and will exec produce alongside Erin Simon, Matt Berenson, and D. Matt Geller for Balboa Productions, as well as Tonya Owens Houle. The search for a showrunner is underway.
A five-book series, Mindf*ck began as a self-published effort for Abby before growing into a phenomenon, with over 200 million reads, a substantial fanbase across BookTok and Goodreads, and a place on numerous “most addictive reads” lists.
At the heart of the story is Lana Myers, a seductive, calculating serial killer with a morally-charged mission: avenging her traumatic past by systematically eliminating the men who assaulted her, destroyed her family, and walked away free. Lana’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel when she falls for Logan Bennett, an FBI profiler investigating the very murders she’s committing. Their connection is immediate, intense, and impossibly dangerous — a love story shaped by vengeance, secrets, and emotional reckoning.
“Lana Myers wrecked me… in the best way,” Stallone told Deadline on the inspiration behind the adaptation. “Her rage is righteous, her love story with Logan is a ticking time bomb, and her vengeance? Unstoppable. I was a fan long before I became a producer, and now I’m fighting for Lana’s story like it’s my own. We’re not watering it down. We’re telling this story the way the author always intended—raw, fearless, and unforgettable. We owe that to the fans. And to S.T. Abby.”
Abby was the pen name of Christie Marie Owens, an American author who also wrote under the names C.M. Owens and Kristy Cunning, producing works across various genres including romantic comedy, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense. She passed away in July 2021, aged 37.
A producer, author, literary advocate and podcaster, Stallone co-hosts the podcast Unwaxed alongside her sister, Sistine. In addition to her producing and hosting work, she runs an online book club community, Favorite Book Club, where she shares reviews and connects with fellow readers, championing bold stories and empowering the voices behind them. Currently, Stallone is finishing her debut novel, a romantic comedy titled Ryder’s Block.
Founded in 2018, Balboa Productions is behind the hit Paramount+ series Tulsa King, which is currently shooting its third season, as well as projects like Sly, Samaritan, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, and the recent hit reality series Extracted on Fox, which was just had a second season ordered. The company is coming off of the success of its Amazon MGM action thriller A Working Man, starring Jason Statham, which opened #1 at the domestic box office in March and is closing in on a $100 million gross.
Stallone and Balboa Productions are represented by IAG and Bob Lange at Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo, LLP. Berenson and Simon are repped by Eric Sherman.
