Lucy Lawless, Melanie Lynskey star in The Changeover

A spine-tingling supernatural young adult film is on its way starring some of New Zealand's biggest names.

The debut trailer for the Changeover was released today, giving us our first glimpse of the film adaptation of Margaret Mahy's young adult novel of the same name.

Set in post-earthquake Christchurch, it tells the story of teen Laura Chant (Erana James) who has to "change over" and become a witch in order to save her little brother from and evil spirit - played by acclaimed UK actor Timothy Spall (Harry Potter, Sweeney Todd).

Nicholas Galitzine in The Changeover

It looks like something out of Hollywood, if Hollywood were - somehow - distinctly Kiwi.

The film was shot entirely on location in Christchurch and was written and directed by Kiwis Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt.

Its two main characters, Laura and Jacko are played by young Maori actors Erana James (Ngati Whatua Orakei, Waikato Tainui) and Benji Purchase (Ngati Tuwharetoa).

And the rest of the cast includes Kiwi stars Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Heavenly Creatures), Lucy Lawless (Xena, Ash vs Evil Dead) and Dame Kate Harcourt (Second Hand Wedding, Separation City).

The Changeover will hit Kiwi cinemas September 28.