Matty Matheson is making a significant leap from restaurant kitchens and prestige television to the big screen. The Playlist reported that Matheson appears in Slayground, Jeremy Saulnier's Halloween-set fugitive thriller produced and financed by A24, alongside a cast that includes Cory Michael Smith, Chase Sui Wonders, Imogen Poots, Sophie Wilde, Young Mazino, Stephen Root, and James Badge Dale.
The project was originally titled October before A24 renamed it. As Bloody Disgusting noted, the film previously carried that much different title before its September 2026 rebrand — a change that, according to World of Reel, came because A24 was unwilling to hold the release until the following October.
From Neil Fak to A24: Matheson's Acting Career Takes Shape
Matheson is best known to television audiences as Neil Fak, the lovable electrician on FX on Hulu's The Bear, a role he held from the show's debut in 2022 through 2026 and which he also executive produced, according to his Wikipedia entry.
His casting in Slayground marks a meaningful shift from a supporting television role to a feature film ensemble helmed by one of genre cinema's most respected directors. Saulnier's track record — Green Room, Rebel Ridge — signals that this is a filmmaker with a distinct, pressure-cooker style, and the Slayground cast assembled around him is striking by any measure.
JoBlo confirmed that Matheson and James Badge Dale are among the additional cast members joining the film's core ensemble, while Dark Horizons noted the full slate of co-stars, which also includes Stanley Simons and Rryla McIntosh. The film is due out in 2026.
The AV Club noted that the title Slayground is reportedly a reference to a haunted attraction where the main character, played by Cory Michael Smith, works — a setting that aligns neatly with Saulnier's taste for enclosed, high-stakes environments.
Why Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery Is Worth a Second Look Right Now
For anyone discovering Matheson through Slayground or The Bear, his New York Times bestselling cookbook Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery offers a direct window into the personality that has made him a genuine crossover figure.
Described by Barnes & Noble as a recipe-packed follow-up from the executive producer and actor on Hulu's Emmy Award-winning series The Bear, the book delivers 135 recipes built around bold flavours, family meals, and the fundamentals of home cooking.
Matheson's profile continues to grow beyond screens and cookbooks — he recently opened a major new restaurant in Hamilton, referenced in a Toronto Life piece, cementing his status as one of Canada's most restlessly ambitious culinary personalities.
The rare chef-to-actor trajectory Matheson is carving out — executive producer credits, a devoted food media following, and now a role in a prestige A24 genre film — makes him an unusual figure in both the culinary and entertainment worlds, and Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery sits at the centre of that identity.
Want the full verdict on the cookbook itself? Read our review of Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery for a complete assessment.
Uplifting
Cosy
Leisurely
Family
Ambition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery worth buying in 2026?
Yes — it's a New York Times bestseller built around 135 recipes and Matheson's bold, personality-driven approach to home cooking. With his profile rising through The Bear and now Slayground, it's a natural companion for new fans.
Who is Matty Matheson in the A24 film Slayground?
Matheson appears as part of the supporting ensemble in Jeremy Saulnier's Halloween-set fugitive thriller, joining a cast that includes Cory Michael Smith, Chase Sui Wonders, and Imogen Poots.
Who should read Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery?
It's aimed at home cooks who want practical, flavour-forward recipes with a strong personality behind them — fans of Matheson's work on The Bear will find it a natural extension of the character he brought to that show.
What is Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery about?
It's Matheson's second cookbook, delivering 135 recipes that span pantry fundamentals through showstopping roasts, rooted in his belief that cooking is both practical and personal.
Should I read Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery or just watch The Bear?
Both reward fans of Matheson's cooking-driven personality, but the cookbook offers hands-on recipes and insight into his culinary philosophy that the show only hints at.
What else has Matty Matheson appeared in besides The Bear?
Matheson played Neil Fak on The Bear from 2022 to 2026, which he also executive produced. He has now been cast in A24's upcoming thriller Slayground, directed by Jeremy Saulnier.
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