Ashley Judd Plays an Intensely Protective Aunt During a 'Deadly Pandemic' in Lazareth Trailer (Exclusive)

Ashley Judd plays a fiercely protective aunt in Lazareth.

PEOPLE has the exclusive first trailer for the thriller, in which Judd, 55, plays Lee, an aunt who has raised her nieces Imogen (Katie Douglas) and Maeve (Sarah Pidgeon) in an isolated cabin in the woods for over a decade after their parents died and she adopted them — all while a "deadly pandemic rages on."

"For over 10 years, the girls are raised to never leave the woods, avoid any and all interaction with outsiders, and ultimately rely on Lee as their only connection to the outside world," according to a synopsis.

"Lee has convinced the girls this is the key to survival in what is now an infectious and violent world. But," the synopsis adds, "when Imogen and Maeve discover an injured man (Asher Angel) in the nearby woods, Lee’s absolute control begins to disintegrate as their faith in her, and everything they’ve ever known, begins to unravel."

In an Instagram post announcing that she'd finished filming Lazareth in May 2023, Judd said working on her latest project reminded her of making the 1993 film Ruby in Paradise because of its "purity and simplicity."

"Night scenes lit by candles. Living in the woods near set," she wrote of her experience at the time. She also praised the "gorgeous acting" of her fellow cast members.

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Judd said the film's director Alec Tibaldi "invited me to be so free" while doing her work. "I am grateful for this pristine experience and all the running charades we played!" she concluded.

Lazareth is on demand and in select theaters May 10.