Juan Antonio Bayona ("The Orphanage") is set to direct "Hater" for Universal Pictures reports Variety.

Based on British author David Moody's thriller novel, the story follows an epidemic of violence perpetrated by ordinary people.

Glen Mazzara scripted the adaptation, while Guillermo del Toro and Mark Johnson will produce.

The action of the novel is transfered to Michigan in the film so exteriors will be shot locally. Johnson hopes to shoot the interiors in Spain