‘VULCANIZADORA’ Trailer drop. Indie brilliance coming to theaters May 2nd

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VULCANIZADORA

VULCANIZADORA poster

OPENING IN SELECT THEATERS MAY 2, 2025

VULCANIZADORA still 1Two friends trudge through a Michigan forest with the intention of following through on a disturbing pact. Once their plan goes shockingly awry, the surreal and haunting consequences of their failure can’t stay hidden for long.

You can find our Tribeca 2024 review here!!

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Trailer:

 

“Joel Potrykus, the undisputed maestro of ‘metal slackerism,’ again serves up a singular experience by taking a simple idea to its logical conclusion, and then a lot further.”

– IndieWire

 

“A darkly funny heavy metal comedy that deftly shifts into a poignant existential drama. Potrykus helms with edgy style, but it’s his and Burge’s transformative performances that carry this unconventional gem.”

– Bloody Disgusting

 

“A fascinating film. What I admire most about the truly strange ‘Vulcanizadora’ is that I haven’t seen anything like it. Joshua Burge is phenomenal.”

 RogerEbert.com

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Written and Directed by JOEL POTRYKUS (APE, BUZZARD, RELAXER)

Produced by HANNAH DWECK, MATT GRADY, ASHLEY POTRYKUS, THEODORE SCHAEFER

Starring JOSHUA BURGE, JOEL POTRYKUS, BILL VINCENT, SOLO POTRYKUS, MELISSA BLANCHARD

Run Time: 85 minutes

Language: English

For more Joel Potrykus films, click here!

‘ZERO’ (2025) Next-level cat-and-mouse-thriller that wowed at Beyond Fest 2024 finally in theatres and on VOD April 11th!

well go usa logoZERO

Zero poster

Jean Luc Herbulot brings Beyond Fest 2024 audiences a heartpounder in ZERO. Two Americans in Senegal wake up to discover bombs strapped to their chests and an unknown man speaking in their ear. They have ten hours to complete seemingly unrelated tasks before they explode. Can they beat a madman at his own game? This stealthy geopolitical thrill ride does not disappoint.

At first glance, our leading men appear opposites, but the script slowly reveals their motivations are the same. ZERO is an entirely new game of cat-and-mouse. A surprising philosophical angle is carefully crafted into the screenplay, branding a message into the audience’s psyche.

zero 2Fast-paced editing and augmented sound effects keep you engaged from the first frame. The concept combines the adrenaline of SAW and SPEED, but it’s funnier and inevitably much darker. The soundtrack is fantastic. Gregory Turbellier‘s camerawork is immersive and sharp.

Performances are outstanding. Unmistakable icon Willem Dafoe is the mysterious voice over the phone. There is something about his tone and rhythm that hypnotizes the viewer. Gary Dourdan adds a voice of enlightenment. His calm, powerful demeanor sets a tone against the tumultuous pacing.

zero 3Leading players Hus Miller (who also co-writes) and Cam McHarg have fiery chemistry, each delivering fully flushed-out characters even if we know the most basic information about them. They make a great on-screen team. I would love to see this entire crew create more projects together.

Jean Luc Herbulot delivers a winner in ZERO. Its bold messaging and fearless choices make it one of the year’s most shocking thrillers.

ZERO Trailer:

DIRECTOR: Jean Luc Herbulot
WRITERS: Jean Luc Herbulot, Hus Miller
CAST: Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Gary Dourdan, Moran Rosenblatt, Annabelle Lengronne, Jessica Lorraine, Roger Sallah

zero 1For more Beyond Fest 2024, click here!

‘SEVEN VEILS’ (2025) A lush and twisted tidal wave of art and trauma.

XYZ logoSEVEN VEILS


SevenVeils_USPoster2_LoResIn SEVEN VEILS, filmmaker Atom Egoyan examines the exploitation of female trauma. The line of art and life blur completely as a protege director remounts her mentor’s production of Salome with an unusually intimate touch.

SEVEN VEILS Amanda SeyfriedEgoyan’s editing is complex. It forces you to keep up. It is both the film’s best and worst aspect. If you drop focus, the film will run away from you in its artistic endeavor. The juxtaposition of Jeanine’s childhood, her marriage, and the play is a whirlwind of obsession. The play is a visceral therapy session and a reclamation of her past.

SEVEN VEILS stageAmanda Seyfried has a knowing in her eyes. Her commitment to Salome’s text feels organic and seeped in trauma. Seyfried owns this character. It’s a brilliant and immensely heartbreaking turn.

SEVEN VEILS Amanda Seyfried dancerIt is far too simplistic to describe the film’s plot as a story of a suffering artist. SEVEN VEILS digs into gross power dynamics and the financial advantage of oppressing female truth. SEVEN VEILS emits a dangerous and formidable energy.


SEVEN VEILS Trailer:

Directed by Atom Egoyan, Starring Amanda Seyfried

Filmed On Location During Egoyan’s Staging of the
Opera Salome


In Select Theaters Nationwide Next Week
March 7, 2025

**Official Selection: Toronto International Film Festival**
**Official Selection: Special Gala: Berlin International Film Festival**

 
Written & Directed by: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Rebecca Liddiard, Douglas Smith, Mark O’Brien, Vinessa Antoine, Ambur Braid, Michael Kupfer-Radecky
Produced by: Atom Egoyan, Niv Fichman, Simone Urdl, Kevin Krikst, Fraser Ash
Executive Produced by: Nate Bolotin, Maxime Cottray, Adrian Love, Noah Segal, John Sloss, Nick Spicer, Aram Tertzakian
 
After years away, theater director Jeanine (Academy Award® nominee Amanda Seyfried) re-enters the opera world to stage her former mentor’s most famous work. Haunted by dark and disturbing memories from her past, Jeanine allows her repressed trauma to color the present as her personal and professional lives begin to unravel.  Renowned director Atom Egoyan (Exotica, The Sweet Hereafter) reunites with Seyfried in this visually stunning, propulsive work, filmed on location during the staging of Egoyan’s acclaimed production of Salome.
 
RT: 107 Minutes

Backstory
Atom Egoyan directed the opera, Salome, in 1996, the first opera in what would be many to come over his career. Best known as a prominent film director since the 1980s, Egoyan has proven he is a master of both mediums. “I’ve been involved with opera for a number of years, doing it parallel to my film work. I always wondered if there was a way to bring the two worlds together,” says Egoyan.
 
More recently, the director was interested in exploring what the production of Salome would mean in our current culture. This interest led Egoyan to write the script for Seven Veils, about a remount of Salome that he filmed at the same time the opera was on stage, using the opera singers from Salome in the film. 
 
Salome is a production I’ve done a number of times so when I knew that the Canadian Opera Company was remounting it, I thought this would be an ideal time to fuse the opera singers I knew they had booked with the script I had written,” says Egoyan. “I wanted to explore how the themes of Salome could weave with the story of remounting this particular production. It’s not really an opera movie, it’s just using the world of the opera as a workplace like any workplace. We see the characters as they float in and out of scenes dealing with the preparation of the opera.”
 
“Atom’s production of Salome electrified the stage when it debuted in 1996 and has evolved with each remounting. The opera explores themes that resonate through Atom’s body of work, and SEVEN VEILS is an exciting and provocative next step in this ongoing evolution,” says producer Niv Fichman.
 
“The story of Salome has such a rich inheritance. It comes to us from the bible and then became the basis of this extraordinary play that Oscar Wilde wrote that explodes with language of people describing things they can’t have. The composer Richard Strauss saw a production of this unique play and was seized by the idea of making it the basis of the libretto. He found a way of harnessing what Oscar Wilde did with his words with truly revolutionary music. It was exciting to bring that energy into this moment and all the issues that are floating around our space, and seeing how these characters are navigating the dynamics of creativity, desire and power,” says Egoyan.
 
SEVEN VEILS is produced by Rhombus Media and Ego Film Arts, with the participation of Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates, in association with XYZ Films, IPR.VC, Cinetic Media, Crave, and the Canadian Opera Company.
 
Elevation Pictures will be distributing the film theatrically in Canada.

For more films from XYZ, click here!

‘THE RULE OF JENNY PEN’ (2025) Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow stun in a disquieting ping pong match of cruelty and power.

IFC Shudder LogoTHE RULE OF JENNY PEN


The rule of Jenny Pen posterAfter suffering a stroke, Stefan must convalesce in an assisted living facility that also houses a psychotic patient who tortures the residents with a creepy hand puppet. Based on Owen Marshall‘s short story, James Ashcroft brings THE RULE OF JENNY PEN to life in all its skin-crawling glory.

Stefan immediately recognizes Dave exerting control over the other residents, and his curmudgeonly, hard-nosed approach to those around him softens. His life dedicated to fairness emboldens him to level the playing field, even if that means drastically adjusting his moral compass.

THE RULE OF JENNY PEN
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John Lithgow as
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Dave Crealy
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Geoffrey Rush as
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Stefan
Mortensen
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and Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft
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s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Courtesy of Matt Henley.
An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

John Lithgow as “Dave Crealy”, Geoffrey Rush as “Stefan Mortensen”, and Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Courtesy of Matt Henley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

Geoffrey Rush is Stefan Mortensen. As a man who built of career on doling out justice, the utter lack of control is physical and mental torture. Rush is spectacular. His stubborn, unrelenting sense of righting the wrong makes him easy to root for.

John Lithgow is Dave Crealy. His character is a cruel menace. Lithgow’s physical stature plays a key role. He is at least a head taller than the rest of the cast, easily dominating any space. Crealy is a ticking time bomb. Lithgow leans into his irrationality like a pro. It is terrifying. Rush and Lithgow go toe to toe in a fascinating tennis match of chaos and vitriol. It is a masterclass.

THE RULE OF JENNY PEN -Geoffrey Rush as “Stefan Mortensen” in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Courtesy of Matt Henley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

Geoffrey Rush as “Stefan Mortensen” in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Courtesy of Matt Henley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

The augmented sound editing by John Mackay and Matthew Lambourn is particularly challenging if, like me, you are prone to overstimulation. Frankly, the entire film is similarly structured. Matt Henley’s camera work is intentional, with close-ups that feel invasive in the best way. Gretchen Peterson’s editing reminds us that while Stefan is undeniably brilliant, his mind and body are failing him. Ashcroft and co-writer Eli Kent weaponize lost time and immobility. The infantilization of patients is heartbreaking and uncomfortable.

THE RULE OF JENNY PEN is a bleak but captivating watch. It reminds us how we treat our elderly once deemed socially inconvenient. The script delves into power structure, unresolved trauma, and the consequences of unchecked evil. THE RULE OF JENNY PEN is something greater than sinister.

THE RULE OF JENNY PEN -Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Courtesy of Matt Henley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN. Courtesy of Matt Henley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

THE RULE OF JENNY PEN Trailer:

IN THEATERS THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH

Synopsis

Arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush) suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a retirement home. Resistant to the staff and distant from his friendly roommate, Mortensen soon clashes with seemingly gentle resident Dave Crealy (Lithgow) who secretly terrorizes the home with a sadistic game called “The Rule of Jenny Pen” while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. What begins as childish torment quickly escalates into far more sinister and disturbing incidents. When Mortensen’s pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy’s reign of terror.

About The Director

James Ashcroft formed Light in the Dark Productions in 2014, specializing in contemporary screen adaptations from New Zealand’s literary canon. His feature film directing debut Coming Home in the Dark premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2021 to great acclaim, followed by a global festival tour. He is currently working on a slate of features in the US including Max Brooks’ Devolution and Grady Hendrix’ How To Sell A Haunted House, for Legendary Studios and Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, The Whisper Man for the Russo Brother’s AGBO Productions/Netflix and an adaptation of the graphic novel Old Haunts for AWA Studios.

He attended the Venice Biennale Cinema College as one of 12 teams selected worldwide. He was also one of 15 director/producers selected for the Torino Film Festivals inaugural Up & Coming Programme, showcasing talent from around the world. From 2006-2013, Ashcroft served as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of national Maori theatre company Taki Rua Productions, developing and touring New Zealand works both nationally and internationally. Ashcroft is a graduate of Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He has served internships with acclaimed theatre company The Wooster Group in New York.

 

Director: James Ashcroft

Screenwriters: Eli Kent, James Ashcroft

Cast: John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush

Producers: Catherine Fitzgerald, Orlando Stewart

Executive Producers: James Ashcroft, Eli Kent, John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Gotto, Nicholas Lazo, Samuel Zimmerman 

Director of Photography: Matt Henley

Editor: Gretchen Peterson

Composer: John Gibson  

Language: English

Country: New Zealand

Running Time: 103 minutes

For more coverage of IFC Shudder films, click here!

SXSW 2025: This year is all about kicking ass and making names with new filmmakers taking the leap.

SXSW 2025_Website-SEO-3SXSW 2025

SXSW 2025 is back with a vengeance. Brimming with talent new and old, the festival grows each year, giving audiences what they love. This year is no exception with Film and TV’s coolest, latest, and greatest. On the docket are hotly anticipated titles like DEATH OF A UNICORN with its insane ensemble cast, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively return in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR, and Peter Cilella‘s Midnighter DESCENDENT. Take a peek at some of the films we’re watching this year…

For more info on SXSW 2025 click here!


ODYSSEY

odyssey SXSW 2025Director: Gerard Johnson, Producers: John Jencks, Isabel Freer, Matthew James Wilkinson, Patrick Tolan, Screenwriters: Gerard Johnson, Austin Collings


Natasha Flynn is an estate agent on a mission—and she’s going to make a killing. Cast: Polly Maberly, Mikael Persbrandt, Jasmine Blackborow, Guy Burnet, Ryan Hayes, Charley Palmer Rothwell, Kellie Shirley (World Premiere)


ARREST THE MIDWIFEarrest-the-midwifeDirector: Elaine Epstein, Producers: Elaine Epstein, Robin Hessman


The arrest of midwives in a rural healthcare desert ignites an unexpected rebellion: Amish and Mennonite women who break from tradition, and emerge as fierce political activists fighting for reproductive justice and birthing rights. (World Premiere)


GLORIOUS SUMMER (Poland)

glorious-summer Directors/Screenwriters: Helena Ganjalyan, Bartosz Szpak, Producers: Maria Gołoś, Monika Matuszewska


A sun-drenched renaissance palace. Three women remain in a carefree state of limbo, tended to by an unseen, all-providing system. But as cracks in the paradise begin to appear, they are faced with a choice: escape or remain in the perfect illusion? Cast: Magdalena Fejdasz, Helena Ganjalyan, Daniela Komędera, Weronika Humaj (World Premiere)


DEATH OF A UNICORN

death-of-a-unicorn SXSWDirector/Screenwriter: Alex Scharfman, Producers: Drew Houpt, Lucas Joaquin, Alex Scharfman, Lars Knudsen, Tyler Campellone, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page


A father and daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn while en route to a weekend retreat, where his billionaire boss seeks to exploit the creature’s miraculous curative properties. Cast: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani, Jessica Hynes (World Premiere)


REELING

reeling SXSW 2025Director: Yana Alliata, Producer: Jack Forbes, Screenwriters: Yana Alliata, Amy Miner


After a life altering accident, Ryan struggles to fit in with old friends and family at a birthday luau but the celebration boils over when he uncovers the missing memory of when his life took a tragic turn. Cast: Ryan Wuestewald, Hans Christopher, Nikki DeParis, Fabrizio Alliata, Makena Miller, Nyah Juliano, Michael Carter (World Premiere)


BABY DOE

baby doe SXSW 2025Director: Jessica Earnshaw, Producers: Holly Meehl Chapman, Jessica Earnshaw


At 22, Gail gave birth alone and left her newborn in the woods. Decades later, she’s arrested for murder, even though she says the baby was stillborn. Baby Doe explores the fallout when young women cannot accept the reality of an unplanned pregnancy. (World Premiere)


CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD

clown-in-a-cornfieldDirector: Eli Craig, Producers: Marty Bowen, John Fischer, Wyck Godfrey, Screenwriters: Carter Blanchard, Adam Cesare, Eli Craig


A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge. Cast: Katie Douglas, Will Sasso, Cassandra Potenza, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Verity Marks, Dylan McEwan, Daina Leitold, Vincent Muller, Kaitlyn Bacon (World Premiere)

TEASER TRAILER LINK:

 


DEAR TOMORROW (Denmark, Japan, Sweden)dear-tomorrow-SXSW 2025Director/Screenwriter: Kaspar Astrup Schröder, Producers: Maria Helga Stürup, Katrine A. Sahlstrøm


In Japan, where loneliness has become a national crisis, the film follows three individuals battling isolation. Through a volunteer chat service, compassionate connections, and government initiatives, they find hope and paths to reclaim their lives. (World Premiere)


FOR WORSEForWorse-1440x810-1Director/Screenwriter: Amy Landecker, Producers: Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, Valerie Stadler, Jenica Bergere, James Portolese


Fresh off a messy divorce, a 50-year-old sober mom tries to rebuild her life and stumbles into a new beginning after finding herself at a Gen Z wedding behaving like a 25-year-old drunk bridesmaid. Cast: Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, Nico Hiraga, Gaby Hoffmann, Ken Marino, Missi Pyle, Kiersey Clemons, Claudia Sulewski, Simon Helberg, Liv Hewson (World Premiere)


O’DESSA

ODESSADirector/Screenwriter: Geremy Jasper, Producers: Michael Gottwald, Noah Stahl


Set in a post-apocalyptic future, O’Dessa is a rock opera about a farm girl on a quest to recover a family heirloom. Her journey leads her to a dangerous city, where she must use the power of destiny and song to save her true love’s soul. Cast: Sadie Sink, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Murray Bartlett, Regina Hall, Pokey LaFarge (World Premiere)


CREEDE U.S.A.

creede-u-s-aDirector: Kahane Corn Cooperman, Producers: Innbo Shim, Kahane Corn Cooperman


Welcome to Creede – a remote mining town with no stop light, a theater company and 300+ folks at 9,000 feet. This unlikely setting – with its miners, ranchers and theater people – offers an unexpected lens on divisions felt by Americans everywhere. (World Premiere)


THE SURRENDER

the-surrender
Director/Screenwriter: Julia Max, Producers: Mia Chang, Lovell Holder, Julia Max, Ian McDonald, Robert J. Ulrich


When the family patriarch dies, a grieving mother and daughter risk their lives to perform a brutal resurrection ritual that will bring him back from the dead. Cast: Colby Minifie, Kate Burton, Neil Sandilands, Vaughn Armstrong, Mia Ellis, Pete Ploszek, Chelsea Alden, Alaina Pollack, Riley Rose Critchlow, Lola Prince Kelly (World Premiere)


UVALDE MOMuvalde-momDirector: Anayansi Prado, Producers: Ina Fichman, David Goldblum, Screenwriters: Anayansi Prado, Pablo Proenza


When a school mass shooting rocks a small town in Texas, a mom desperate to save her kids is launched into the public eye. She speaks out against a system that never protected her. The community challenges these powers and exposes those who failed to protect its most vulnerable – children. (World Premiere)


IDIOTIKAidiotka
Director/Screenwriter: Nastasya Popov, Producers: Tess Cohen, Camila Mendes, Rachel Matthews, Saba Zerehi, Nastasya Popov


In this sharp, irreverent comedy, a disgraced fashion designer with a dangerously low credit score, Margarita (Anna Baryshnikov) enters a reality show with a six-figure cash prize to save her babushka’s West Hollywood apartment. But as the competition intensifies, slick producer Nicol (Camila Mendes) pushes her to spin her family’s struggle into spectacle, forcing Margarita to decide whether to play along or take control of her own narrative, one unhinged look at a time.

Cast: Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes, Julia Fox, Benito Skinner, Saweetie, Owen Thiele, Galina Jovovich, Mark Ivanir, Nerses Stamos, Ilia Volok (World Premiere)


NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE (Canada)nirvanna-the-band-the-show-the-mDirector: Matt Johnson, Producers: Matthew Miller, Matt Greyson, Screenwriters: Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol


When their plan to book a show at the Rivoli goes horribly wrong, Matt and Jay accidentally travel back to the year 2008. Blah blah blah blah blah.  Cast: Jay McCarrol, Matt Johnson (World Premiere)


BROTHER VERSES BROTHER


brother-verses-brotherDirector: Ari Gold, Producers: Michelle Stratton, Starr Sutherland, Screenwriters: Ari Gold, Ethan Gold, Lara Louise, Brian Bell, Herbert Gold, Tongo Eisen-Martin, John Flanigan

Synopsis: Inspired by Francis Coppola’s concept of Live Cinema, Brother Verses Brother is a radically personal musical odyssey. Combative twin musicians hunt for their dying poet father, in an improvisation performed by the director’s own family, and presented as an unbroken real-time shot through the streets of San Francisco.


One brother seeks love, while the other seeks an audience. But as night falls and their father remains missing, their increasingly frantic safari leads them from the secret haunts of the Beat poets into the heart of their family. Their tale becomes a testament to the power of music, the bonds of brotherhood, and the lifeblood of a city – experienced by the viewer in real-time.


Cast: Ari Gold, Ethan Gold, Lara Louise, Brian Bell, Herbert Gold, Tongo Eisen-Martin, John Flanigan (World Premiere)


OUT FOR DELIVERYout-for-delivery-3Director/Screenwriter: Chelsea Christer, Producers: Clinton Trucks, Alexa Rocero, David B. Lyons


When terminally ill Joanna makes the difficult decision to pursue end of life options through the Death With Dignity law, the systems set up to make her death peaceful and dignified become the opposite. (Texas Premiere)


BAGGAGE (Australia, United Kingdom)

baggage-SXSW 2025Director/Screenwriter: Lucy Davidson, Producers: Vanessa Batten, Amy Upchurch


Anthropomorphic suitcase best friends bring their emotional baggage on holidays. (International Premiere)


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For SXSW 2025’s entire lineup, click here!

For all things SXSW 2025 and beyond from Reel News Daily, tap this!

‘IN THE MOUTH’ (Slamdance 2025) Mental health and mayhem at its finest.

slamdance-25 posterIN THE MOUTH

in the mouth posterFilmmaker Cory Santilli brings a film like no other to Slamdance 2025 with IN THE MOUTH. The script follows Merl, a housebound man down on his luck financially and mentally. When his landlady arrives to collect three months’ back rent, Merl decides to take on a roommate. Larry happens to be an escaped murderer, but that is not what scares Merl. It is the giant version of himself protruding from his front lawn.

in the mouth 2IN THE MOUTH is an absurdist comedy. Shot in stark black and white by Mike Magilnick, the cinematography boasts great closeups and one particularly memorable off-kilter angle that made me sit up straighter. Merl’s creative outside retrieval methods remind me of individual components of Pee Wee Herman‘s Rube Goldberg machine in his Big Adventure film.

Doug Moss‘ augmented sound editing highlights the isolation of Merl’s environment while simultaneously ticking the boxes of sensory issues he may also be affected by. I recognize the triggered body language as someone with misophonia, specifically with metal on metal.

in the mouth 1Colin Burgess, who also stars in another Slamdance 2025 film, LOCKJAW, and designed the titles, delivers a fascinating performance as Merl. Burgess’ commitment to the genre and the world Santilli has created is applause-worthy. You would never know Burgess was the same actor, which is the ultimate compliment. I would happily watch him create more Merl shenanigans. *Cory, I’m talking to you here.*

Understanding that Merl is Cory in real life is key to the film’s profundity. The metaphor of turning fear into power is so intriguing. IN THE MOUTH‘s finale lands, quite literally, like a breath of fresh air. Slamdance is the key demographic for a story with this breadth of style and bravery.

In The Mouth Teaser Trailer:

 

  • Year:
    2025
  • Runtime:
    84 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    United States
  • Premiere:
    World Premiere
  • Genre:
    Dark, Comedy, Thriller
  • Subtitle Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Cory Santilli
  • Screenwriter:
    Cory Santilli
  • Producer:
    Jesse Muro, Tatiana Bears
  • Cast:
    Colin Burgess, Paul Michael
For more Slamdance coverage, click here!

slamdance25 logo

‘THE BUILDOUT’ (2025) A gorgeously shot, nail-biting genre-bender

Ethos logoTHE BUILDOUT

The Buildout poster

Filmmaker Zeshaan Younus has been the talk of the town on the festival circuit with THE BUILDOUT. The film follows two close friends scouting the Southern California desert, searching for a new site for their religious group. That is only the beginning.

The Buildout_04Cameron and Dylan are not the first to set foot on the land. Timelines cross. The two friends document what they find on a camcorder. In the isolation, they discover more questions than answers, and the viewer travels down a rabbit hole of unnerving chaos.

The Buildout_02Jenna Kanell gives Cameron a feisty edge that reminds me of Robin Tunney in Empire Records, appearance and all. There is a visible aversion to the hyper-religious nature that Dylan openly expresses. Hannah Alline (Adult Swim Yule Log) is Dylan. Alline brings an almost unwavering, psychopathic faith as a recovering addict. Kanell and Alline share a beautifully organic chemistry. They are perfect foils for one another. They share an unresolved trauma bond within a larger mystery.

The Buildout_05The audience holds its collective breath with only drips of information at any given time. The eclectic camera work by Justin Moore is jarring in the best way possible, delivering a continuously menacing vibe. (Don’t think I missed your EP credit, Emily Bennett!) Matt Latham‘s editing is emotionally dizzying and brilliant. This entire team knew precisely what they were doing. Younus creates characters that captivate, backed by a story that digs its talons into your brain. THE BUILDOUT will have you begging for more.

The Buildout Trailer:

The harrowing, horrifying festival favorite

THE BUILDOUT

arrives on all VOD platforms February 25th
 
The acclaimed, dramatic thriller stars Jenna Kanell (TERRIFIER, RENFIELD) and Hannah Alline (DC’s Doom Patrol, ADULT SWIM YULE LOG)
 


Something is happening in the desert. The epicenter is a strange tent, humming with an imbued esoteric energy. What is found within its walls is incomprehensible.

We first meet Dylan and Cameron as they barrel deeper into the desert. One knows exactly where they’re going, the other one is doing their best to be a good friend.

On a road trip fueled by junk food and documented by a handheld camera, the women traverse a landscape that feels more like Mars than Earth – the California Desert. This is their last chance to get back – back to what they used to be. Today, they are but mere fragments of their former selves; weighed down by the looming presence of a shared tragedy.

A story of rebirth, recovery, closure, and accountability propelled forward by an esoteric conduit. This women-led narrative follows the tectonic shift of a friendship over one fateful day. In the face of the unexplained, they lean into their truest selves and come face-to-face with an unnerving discovery.

THE BUILDOUT is a meditation taken from behind the handlebars of a speeding motorcycle. It aims to bridge the gap between found footage and traditional cinematic storytelling while leaning into strong, capable, and unapologetic characters.

The debut feature from distributor Ethos Releasing, THE BUILDOUT is written and directed by Zeshaan Younus and stars Jenna Kanell, Hannah Alline, Natasha Halevi, Michael Sung Ho, and Danielle Evon Ploeger.

For more horror coverage, click here!

‘STOCKADE’ (2025) Art, antiquities, and mystery collide in this unique immigrant story.

STOCKADE

Stockade_Ahlam outside house (Sarah Bitar), Credit Veronique FilmsEric McGinty‘s STOCKADE follows Ahlam, a Lebanese woman trying to get her artist’s visa extended in NYC. To pay her lawyer, she agrees to deliver a package upstate. 

Stockade_Ahlam gives package to Richard (Eric McGinty & Sarah Bitar), Credit Veronique FilmsHalfway through the story goes in an entirely bizarre direction when Richard doesn’t show up, Paul isn’t answering the phone, and two strangers appear in the house demanding the contents of the package.  Suddenly, easy money is not so easy after all.

The tonal shift into antiquities thriller/wild goose chase is a bit jarring, but you root so hard for Ahlam that you go along for the ride. It definitely feels like everyone in Stockade knows more than they’re willing to divulge, and Ahlam is a manipulated chess piece in a game she never agreed to play.
Stockade_Ahlam in her studio with Linton in BG (Sarah Bitar & Michael Wiener), Credit Veronique Films
The script features characters with racial microaggressions. The film didn’t actually need the thriller aspect at all. Ahlam’s immigrant artist story is enough to keep an audience engaged in earnest, although the commentary on the abuse of immigrant bodies is undoubtedly impactful. 

Stockade_Richard speaks to Ahlam (Eric McGinty & Sarah Bitar), Credit Veronique FilmsWhile the rest of the cast is mediocre at best,  Sarah Bitar is spectacular. She has a commanding presence about her. Ahlam holds unspoken trauma and guilt from leaving her family in Beruit. Bitar holds you captive with her fierce energy. She is the reason to watch this film.


Trailer:

Award-Winning Mystery-Drama STOCKADE Sets Limited Theatrical Release on February 21, 2025 and North American VOD Platforms and DVD on February 25, 2024 Via Freestyle Digital Media

 

The award-winning mystery-drama STOCKADE will have a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Glendale theater starting February 21, 2025, and will also be available on all North American digital HD internet, cable and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, on February 25, 2025 via Freestyle Digital Media. In this psychological “immigrant noir” thriller, a Lebanese artist (played by Sarah Bitar) in New York takes a job delivering a package upstate, only to get embroiled in a murky scheme. STOCKADE is written and directed by Eric McGinty.

STOCKADE had its World Premiere at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Ultra Indie Award. The film was also an Official Selection of the 2024 Queens World Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image where it won awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Female Actor, and was also nominated for Best Director Narrative Feature, Best Ensemble Feature and Best Narrative Feature Screenplay.

STOCKADE tells the story of Ahlam, a struggling Lebanese artist in New York City who takes a job delivering a package upstate, only to open a Pandora’s box. In this updated meditation on the pursuit of the American dream, Ahlam finds herself in dire financial straits and desperate to come by the funds to extend her artist’s visa. When she is offered a job to deliver a mysterious package upstate, Ahlam believes she has found a solution. Upon her arrival in the Hudson Valley, Ahlam encounters shady characters and quirky neighbors as she is unwittingly drawn into the world of ancient artifact trafficking. Every step of the way, STOCKADE keeps viewers guessing, and with its naturalistic yet expressionistic aesthetic, this noir thriller makes a unique addition to the crime genre.

Written and directed by Eric McGinty, STOCKADE was produced by Anna Sang Park, Eric McGinty and Adam Vazquez. The cast features Sarah Bitar (‘Ahlam’), Bahar Beihaghi (‘Zora’) and Guy de Lancey (‘Paul’).

“STOCKADE was inspired by my experience as an artist who’s tracked the fine art world in New York City for many years, as well as my research on Middle-Eastern artifacts and the illegal antiquities trade,” said writer/director Eric McGinty. “But above all else, I was determined to make an ‘immigrant film noir,’ where characters and situations that are underrepresented in most mainstream films are instead at the center of the story.”

McGinty first met trilingual (English, Arabic and French) film and stage actor Sarah Bitar, when she was attending drama school in New York City. Bitar’s actual struggles inspired the creation of Ahlam, a Lebanese painter just out of art school; an antihero who gets caught up in the hyper-capitalistic, colonialistic world of fine art. The intersectionality of Bitar’s real-life – as an immigrant to America and a queer person from a region in the world where the LGBTQ+ community is often not accepted by significant swaths of society – was deeply influential as McGinty crafted the character. “It was also imperative for me to collaborate with Lebanese cast and crew members, including our editor, composer and several actors. Other performers are from the Middle-Eastern diaspora, South Africa, Korea and Argentina,” he added.

About STOCKADE writer/director Eric McGinty:

McGinty’s first feature, Wallabout, won the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2015 Bushwick Film Festival and the Best Personal Narrative Award at the 2014 Manhattan Film Festival. In 2016, Wallabout had a theatrical release for a month at the venerable Paris art house, Cinéma Saint-André des Arts, where the esteemed film magazine, Positif, gave it 4 stars. As a first assistant director, Eric often collaborated with French directors who were shooting films in the US, including Cédric Klapisch, Luc Besson, Olivier Nakache/Eric Toledano and Rachid Bouchareb. Based in Brooklyn, Eric grew up in a bicultural environment, having been raised in Paris and Washington, D.C. by a French mother and an American father. He began his career in Paris working as an actor and stage manager in theater and modern dance. He attended the Sorbonne and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, concentrating his studies in film and literature. In STOCKADE, Eric also plays the role of Richard.

CREDITS:

Written and Directed by Eric McGinty

Produced by Anna Sang Park, Adam Vazquez, Eric McGinty

Executive Producers: Anna Sang Park, Lela Meadow-Conner

Director of Photography: Guy de Lancey

Editor: Nay Tabbara

Music by Alex Wakim

Sound: Samuel O’Sullivan

Art Director: David Raff

 

TRT 88 minutes | Color | English, Arabic, French

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Sundance 2025 arrives to kick off this year’s festival season. 8 films we are excited for.

Sundance 2025 banner logo
The Sundance Film Festival has launched the careers of indie film directors, writers, and actors for 41 years now. Back with in-person and online screening opportunities, this year’s iteration boasts new and bold storytelling from every genre. Here are a handful of films we’ll track in 2025.

 

For all the info on this year’s festival, click here!

 
TOUCH ME 
 
Touch Me Sundance
Written and directed by Addison Heimann (Hypochondriac), the TOUCH ME stars Olivia Taylor Dudley (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension), Lou Taylor Pucci (A-X-L), Jordan Gavaris (“Hacks”), Marlene Forte (Knive’s Out) and Paget Brewster (“Criminal Minds”).
 
In TOUCH MEafter a series of unfortunate events leaves their house uninhabitable and reeking of poo, two co-dependent friends, Joey and Craig, find themselves homeless and out of options. That’s when Joey’s mysterious ex resurfaces. He wants her back. Along with being hot, Brian also happens to be an alien whose touch makes anxiety and depression disappear. The two venture to his compound for the weekend with the hope of being healed from past traumas, but underneath Brian’s veneer of healing is a sinister plot filled with murder, mayhem, and blood. TOUCH ME is an psychosexual horror-comedy about the nature of co-dependent friendships and how far we are willing to go for a slice of happiness.
 

Director: Addison Heimann

Screenwriter: Addison Heimann

Producers: John Humber, David Lawson Jr., Addison Heimann

Principal Cast: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, Paget Brewster

Addison heimann SundanceAddison Heimann is a queer genre filmmaker currently residing in Los Angeles. His first feature, Hypochondriac, premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival and was distributed by XYZ Films. His goal is to tell queer stories that explore mental health in the genre space.

 

 

 

 


ANDRE IS AN IDIOT 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675333aa68b8b73e67fe584a

Andre_is_an_Idiot-Still

 Andre, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn’t get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor.

Produced by A24 Films

Director: Tony Benna

Production Companies: A24 Films, Sandbox Films, Safehouse Pictures

Producers: André Ricciardi, Tory Tunnell, Joshua Altman, Stelio Kitrilakis, Ben Cotner

tony benna

Tony Benna has developed and directed within a variety of platforms, creating award-winning work with multiple mediums, including film, advertising, post-production, and broadcast. With strong roots in stop-motion animation techniques, he is focused on pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

 

 

 

 


LIFE AFTER

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675332e268b8b704ebfe55ad

life after Sundance

 In 1983, a disabled Californian woman named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the “right to die,” igniting a national debate about autonomy, dignity, and the value of disabled lives. After years of courtroom trials, Bouvia disappeared from public view. Disabled director Reid Davenport narrates this investigation of what happened to Bouvia.

Co-funded through ITVS Open Call and will premiere on Independent Lens


MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675315ab68b8b7b799fe264a

Mr_Nobody_Against_Putin

Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin, this uniquely collaborative film is as captivating and joyful as it is eye-opening and sobering. Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases rare footage that reveals the profound impact of Putin’s regime on the lives of everyday Russians, particularly its children.

Director: David Borenstein

Co-Director: Pavel Talankin

Screenwriter: David Borenstein

Producer: Helle Faber

David borenstein


David Borenstein has worked in the documentary industry on three different continents. He has produced and directed TV for BBC, PBS, ARTE, Al Jazeera, DR, Vice, and many more international broadcasters. Borenstein directed Can’t Feel Nothing (2024), Love Factory (2021), and Dream Empire (2016).

 

 

 


SUNFISH & OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/67531ef268b8b7d56dfe338e

SUNFISH & OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE 

Lives intertwine around Green Lake. A girl learns to sail, a boy fights for first chair, two sisters operate a bed-and-breakfast, and a fisherman is after the catch of his life. An anthology following the residents of a small town and the lake that binds them together.

Director: Sierra Falconer

Screenwriter: Sierra Falconer

Producers: Grant Ellison, Sierra Falconer

sierra falconer Sundance

Sierra Falconer is a Michigan-raised, Los Angeles–based screenwriter and film director. She holds a BFA in film theory from Wesleyan University and an MFA in film directing from UCLA. Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake) is Falconer’s feature directorial debut.
 
 
 
 
 

 


ATROPIA
Atropia-Still_1 Sundance
When an aspiring actress in a military role-playing facility falls in love with a soldier cast as an insurgent, their unsimulated emotions threaten to derail the performance.
 

Hailey Gates Sundance

Hailey Gates is a filmmaker and journalist based in New York. She received her BFA from NYU in experimental theater. Her award-winning short film Shako Mako premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. As an actress, Gates has appeared in Twin Peaks: The Return, Uncut Gems, and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THE VIRGIN OF THE QUARRY LAKE
virgin of quarry lake Sundance
In 2001, three teenagers from the outskirts of Buenos Aires all fall in love with Diego. Natalia has always had the most chemistry with him, but when it seems inevitable that their friendship will turn into something more, the older and more experienced Silvia appears and soon captures Diego’s attention.

Director: Laura Casabé

Screenwriter: Benjamin Naishtat

Principal Cast: Dolores Oliverio, Luisa Merelas, Fernanda Echevarría, Dady Brieva, Agustín Sosa

Laura Casabé

Laura Casabé is a genre director. Her 2016 debut, La Valija de Benavidez, received seven international awards. Los que vuelven premiered at the 2019 International Film Festival Rotterdam, won multiple awards at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, and won Best Director at the 2020 Sitges Film Festival.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BUBBLE & SQUEAK
bubble and squeak Sundance
Accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where cabbages are banned, Declan and Delores must confront the fragility of their new marriage while on the run for their lives.

Super clone watches are the perfect blend of style, affordability, and precision, offering everyone a chance to enjoy luxury without the cost.

 

Director(s): Evan Twohy

Screenwriter: Evan Twohy

Producers: Christina Oh, Steven Yeun

Principal Cast: Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco, Matt Berry

Evan Twohy SundanceEvan Twohy was raised on Hitchcock and opera on the edge of a forest outside Berkeley, California. From an early age, he found himself drawn to absurdist theater and began writing plays in New York City prior to making his first feature, Bubble & Squeak.


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Sundance 2025 banner logo

‘THE DAMNED’ (2025) A haunting psychological horror that chills you to the bone.

vertical films logoTHE DAMNED

TheDamned_Theatrical-PosterYoung widow Eva endures a particularly harsh winter on an Icelandic fishing island. After the small population witnesses a shipwreck off their coast, Eva discovers a barrel of rations that have washed up on the beach. In desperation, our hungry villagers row their dingy through the icy waters in search of any further rations. Instead, they come upon a shocking number of survivors that swarm the boat. The fallout proves terrifying. Welcome to THE DAMNED.

 

The Damned ensembleThe chill of the environment flows through the screen. You cannot help but shiver and feel the inherent dread. THE DAMNED initially drips with melancholy but quickly navigates into total fear. Screenwriter Jamie Hannigan gives us a surprising feminist dynamic with Eva having the final say in the men’s actions. The narrative beautifully balances lore and madness. 

Odessa Young is captivating. As the horror progresses, so does her appearance. The sleepless nights and ceaseless tragedy take their toll physically. Young effortlessly commands your attention at every turn. What a star.

The Damned shadowThe cinematography swings from bleak, overcast skies to the darkest of nights, lit only by lanterns. The stark visual contrast provides a subconscious isolation. Practical FX are meticulous and brutal. THE DAMNED is a highly effective psychological horror, delving into fisherman’s superstitions, survival instincts, and guilt—a must-watch in the new year.

The Damned Trailer:

The Damned will be available in UK and Irish cinemas from 10th January 2025

 

Vertical has announced that Thordur Palsson’s ominous and chilling thriller The Damned will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 10th January 2025. 
 
Starring Odessa Young (The Staircase, Mothering Sunday) and Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders, Gangs of London), The Damned is a tense psychological horror film that follows 19th-century widow, Eva. Tasked with making an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing outpost during the middle of an especially cruel winter.
 
With provisions running low, Eva and her close-knit community must choose between rescuing the shipwrecked crew and prioritizing their own survival. Facing the consequences of their decision and tormented by guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.
 
Following its premiere in November, the Cork International Film Festival 2024 awarded an Honourable Mention to The Damned commenting ‘The Damned is a juggernaut of a film, breathing fresh life into a well-trodden genre. Its powerful use of the landscape and compelling performances make it truly deserving of this Special Mention
 
The Damned OdessaDistributed By: Vertical
Theatrical Release Date: 10th January 2025
Short Synopsis: The Damned, an ominous and chilling thriller, follows Eve and her crew as they come across a shipwreck and are faced with the moral dilemma to either help, or prioritize their own survival.
Directed By: Thordur Palsson
Cast: Odessa Young, Joe Cole, Lewis Gribben, Siobhan Finneran, Francis Magee, Rory McCann, Turlough Convery and Mícheál Óg Lane
Run Time: 89 mins
Cert: TBC
 
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‘BIRDEATER’ (2025) Unhinged, toxic, and jarring brilliance.

Dark Sky Films LogoBIRDEATER

A Visually Striking Psychological Thriller From Australian Directing Duo Jack Clark and Jim Weir

birdeater poster

The debut feature of writer-directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir is unhinged. There is something off about Irene and Louie’s relationship. It is filled with emotional and psychological abuse, gaslighting, and lies. Louie is a control freak. He and Irene are a match made in trauma heaven. In BIRDEATER, the truth is a timebomb.  

Birdeater_DinnerEnsembleSecrets, awkward first meetings, hyper-toxic masculinity, and ketamine collide in one of the most one of the most tension-filled narratives I’ve seen. A stag week, including Irene, goes off the rails when the past and present come to light.

Birdeater_SamIreneThe script is a complex push and pull of who knows what and when. Forty minutes in a massive cloud of mystery looms over this bachelor weekend. Clark and Weir deliver characters that crawl under your skin and burrow into your brain whether you like it or not. This is what happens when a control freak loses control. 

Birdeater_LouieStagAggressive straight-to-camera looks feel like an invasion of the audience. Each one is more jarring than the next. The camera work is dizzying and immersive. The upbeat, celebratory soundtrack comes off as sinister amongst the feral behavior. The editing deserves an award. 

Birdeater_UteBush 2Performances are extraordinary. The ensemble cast nails every beat. Each character is loathsome in their own way, either because they are self-righteous, weak, or revenge-driven. The final 30 minutes are explosive. BIRDEATER will f*ck you up. 

Birdeater Trailer:

Opening In Theaters and on Digital Platforms January 10th



Official Film Synopsis:

A bride-to-be is invited to join her own fiancé’s bachelor party on a remote property in the Australian outback. But as the festivities spiral into beer-soaked chaos, uncomfortable details about their relationship are exposed, and the celebration soon becomes a feral nightmare.



IN THEATERS – JANUARY 10th

(additional theaters to be added)

Albuquerque: Guild Cinema

Austin: Alamo Drafthouse Mueller Austin Mueller

Boston: Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport

Chicago: Alamo Drafthouse Wrigleyville

Columbus: Gateway Film Center

Dallas: Alamo Drafthouse Denton

Denver: Alamo Westminster

Los Angeles: Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Laemmle Glendale

New York: Alamo Drafthouse Lower Manhattan

New York: IFC Center

Phoenix: Harkins Gateway Pavilions



ON DIGITAL – JANUARY 10th

Apple TV

Fandango at Home (US)

Google Play (US & CA)

Microsoft Movies & TV (US & CA)

Prime Video (US)



BIRDEATER

Directed by: Jack Clark, Jim Weir

Written by: Jack Clark

Produced by: Stephanie Troost, Ulysses Oliver

Language: English

Genre: Thriller

Distributor: Dark Sky Films

Run Time: 115 minutes

Cast: Birdeater_DinnerEnsemble

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‘THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN’ (2024) A frightening tale based on true events and a stark warning for all

relativity media logoTHE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN

The Man In The White Van poster

Filmmaker Warren Skeels brings a terrifying film based on events in 1970s Florida with THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN. Annie is the middle child in a family very much concerned with her becoming a proper young lady. She is more concerned with being validated in her indivisibility and perhaps the new boy in town. When she notices a white van following her around town, her family accuses her of making up stories.

The Man In The White Van 1The script has an underlying “Boy Who Cried Wolf” (but with a young girl at the center) while simultaneously reminding audiences to believe women. It is a clever mix. The film cuts back and forth in time, showing us glimpses of abductions of women and girls by the mostly faceless serial perpetrator. Years crank by forwards and backward in a creative transition of rusted numbers.

The score is jarring in the best way possible. Ominous closeups from inside the van make your skin crawl. Classic tropes work like gangbusters. Skeels slowly reveals more details of each abduction, building the intensity for an inevitable run-in with Annie.

The Man In The White Van 2Sean Astin and Ali Larter, playing Annie’s traditional parents, deliver pitch-perfect portrayals of the times. Brec Bassinger is fantastic as the eldest daughter, Margaret. Deemed the pretty people pleaser, her chemistry with Madison Wolfe solidifies the emotional stronghold of the family dynamic. Wolfe gives Annie all the vulnerability, pure innocence, and bravery we want from this character. She is endlessly fierce and a joy to watch. Wolfe owns the film.

The Man In The White Van 3There is no escaping the terror. It is a meticulously crafted script of anxiety-drenched moments. THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN is a film every parent needs to see, every husband who thinks his wife is being paranoid. It is a warning and a perfect example of gaslighting women experience daily. Stick around for the credits.


THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN Trailer:

IN U.S. THEATERS FRIDAY DECEMBER 13th

Directed and Co-written by: Warren Skeels

Starring: Madison Wolfe, Brec Bassinger, Skai Jackson, Ali Larter, and Sean Astin

BASED ON A TRUE STORY.

In 1975 Florida, a series of violent disappearances go unnoticed, and young Annie (Madison Wolfe) is targeted by an ominous white van that stalks her every move. As the menace escalates, her parents dismiss her fears, and Annie is soon plunged into a terrifying nightmare that shatters her world.

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‘PERSONA’ (2024) A clever, chameleon nightmare.

gravitaslogo2020PERSONA

Persona poster

Director Mike Ho and screenwriter Blyth Kemp deliver a chaotic bullet train of panic and blurry flashes with PERSONA. Two trapped women with vastly different outlooks must come together to survive the isolated cabin of a serial killer. As each spirals in and out of manic episodes, the other counters her with brave calm. They must work together to survive the unthinkable.

Persona Set Stills for PR-36Sophia Ali is Sam, a fiery, take no shit woman whose severe injury and unresolved trauma threaten to end her fight. Ali nails every beat. You are rooting for her every second she is on screen.

Persona Set Stills for PR-56Shanti Lowry gives Tricia a hopeful nature. Underneath is a mess of cryptic hallucinations and garbled memories. Lowry moves through the character with grace amongst the unpredictable.

There is one performance that blows the viewer away. Andrew Howard is unforgettable in a purely schizophrenic, award-worthy turn.

Persona Set Stills for PR-4Ho’s editing is quick and clever. Some of the most effective moments come as the women imagine rescue scenarios for better or worse. PERSONA taps into every true-crime-obsessed female fear. It’s like some demented practice run for very real circumstances. The film boasts an explosive final act. This pulse-pounding, dark ending is worth the wait.


PERSONA Trailer:

SHANTI LOWRY & SOPHIA ALI STAR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER PERSONA
AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL/ON-DEMAND DECEMBER 3RD, 2024

 

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‘YEAR 10’ (2024) A frightening glimpse into humanity’s darkness. What can we learn from this dialogue-less apocalyptic thriller?

Blue fox LogoYEAR 10

Year 10 poster

In a post-apocalyptic world of cannibals, a man (Toby Goodger) fights wild dogs, nature, and a violent tribe to save his love (Hannah Khalique-Brown) and avenge his father (Duncan Lacroix).


Filmmaker Benjamin Goodger brings audiences a pulse-pounding apocalyptic thriller in YEAR 10. After the world has turned to cannibalism, one man embarks on a dangerous journey of vengeance and medicine to save the woman he loves. 

Year10_Grab000002Somber natural lighting sets the tone for Year 10 from the get-go. The sweeping and ominous score plunges us deep into this near-future reality of sadness and violence. The team raises the bar even further by including heartbeat sounds, heavy drums, and dazzling strings. 

year 10 still 2The film is a genuine family affair. Scan the credits for the many Goodgers involved in this magnificent production. Charlie Googger‘s handheld camera work is immersive and beautifully choreographed.  Year 10 is quite a feat. This feature-length film with zero dialogue captivates with stunning performances wrought with panic and desperation. Toby Goodger is outstanding. His furious passion and fearless energy carry the entire movie. 

year 10 Toby goodgerThe script juxtaposes two survival styles, one of heart and kindness, and the other savagely selfish and brutal. The lack of dialogue never lessens the intensity. If anything, it allows raw emotion to convey each beat. YEAR 10 taps into the best and worst of humanity’s most feral instincts.


Year 10 Trailer:

YEAR 10 – Intense Apocalyptic Thriller In theaters and on VOD December 6th


Genre: Horror/Sci-fi / Apocalyptic Thriller
Distributor: Blue Fox Entertainment
Production company: Family Pictures
Directed by: Ben Goodger
Written by: Ben Goodger
Produced by: Bill Kenwright
Executive Producers: David Gilbery, Naomi George
Cast:Toby Goodger, Duncan Lacroix, Hannah Khalique-Brown, Luke Massy, Emma Cole, Alexander Anderson, King Gayle, Jessica Zerlina-Leafe, Tom Gaskin
Logline: In a post-apocalyptic world, a man battles cannibals and wild dogs to save his love and avenge his father.
Synopsis: 10 Years after the fall of civilization, cannibalism has become the only option for humanity’s dwindling survivors. When a violent tribe murders his father and steals the medicine keeping his love interest alive, our protagonist must embark on a treacherous journey battling the elements, packs of vicious wild dogs, and the cannibal group, or else lose the only thing he has left.

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21154574
Runtime: 97 minutes
Country: UK
Language: English

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‘THE FIX’ (2024) A runaway train of complex storytelling and visual intrigue.

gravitaslogo2020THE FIX

TheFix_ PosterFilmmaker Kelsey Egan brings audiences THE FIX. The near future film occurs where toxic air is slowly poisoning the population, and only the wealthy have access to treatment. Ella exists in the shadow of her recently deceased supermodel mother. Thinking she’s taking a party drug, Ella accidentally ingests an experimental synthetic, causing accelerated and unpredictable mutations inside and out. Ella becomes the target of both the drug dealers and global big pharma Aethera. THE FIX is much more nuanced and endlessly intriguing. It is sci-fi, action, thriller, and everything in between. 

THE FIX_Master_Frame Grab_01.09.39.18Icon Clancy Brown plays Aethera patriarch. Anytime he appears in a film, it elevates the entire production. Robyn Rossouw delivers a fear-soaked performance as Ella’s best friend, Gina. Huge accolades for Keenan Harrison and Tina Redman as they prove their acting chops, but I’ll let you discover their vital roles on your own. It is truly A+ work from both.

Daniel Sharman gives Eric zen confidence before revealing a sinister motive. The arrogance pours off of him. He is perfectly punchable in his underlying deep-seated daddy issues and self-loathing. Grace Van Dien (Stranger Things) owns this film. She gives Ella similar energy to Mila Jovovich in the Resident Evil franchise. Van Dien is an effortless badass. With each new role, she proves her talent. I hope she’s getting the dollar amount she deserves.

THE FIX_Master_Frame Grab_01.23.13.21Production is spectacular. Props are sleek, costumes are clean but unique, and the sets are just as applause-worthy in their minimalist glory. The special FX makeup team gives us top-notch originality. Read More – Bizzbuzz.news is one of the top sites that gives you latest on super clone watches.

The script mimics global politics with a razor-sharp edge. COVID is undoubtedly an inspiration, and the similarities to something like Spiderman are undeniable, but THE FIX offers a unique version of the origin story trope. Beautifully woven into Egan’s work, you cannot miss the magical creature allegory.

The Fix (2024) - www.imdb.comTHE FIX could seamlessly expand into a multiple-season series. There is so much well-developed canon that audiences would tune in without hesitation. Tackling ethics, capitalism, and the fragility of humanity, THE FIX has arrived to entertain and challenge.

The Fix Trailer:

Available on VOD this Friday, November 22nd



Synopsis

A toxic compound infects Earth’s atmosphere. Pharmaceutical giant, Aethera, sells immunity… but most can’t afford the daily dose. When a troubled model takes a new drug at a party, she suffers a shocking transformation. Pursued by a dangerous gang and authorities in cahoots with Aethera, she hunts for a “fix” to reverse the drug’s effects, only to discover her mutations may be the key to saving the human race.


Director: Kelsey Egan

Producers: Greig Buckle, Allison Friedman, Jeremy Walton, David Lyons and Egan

Executive Producers: Showmax, Moo Studios and Van Dien.

Cast: Grace Van Dien, Daniel Sharman, Keenan Arrison, Tina Redman, Robyn Rossouw, Tafara Nyatsanza, Nicole Fortuin and Clancy Brown

Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller

Language: English

Runtime: 98 minutes

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‘DREAM TEAM’ (2024) An homage that rides the bit to the bitter, coral-covered end.

Yellow Veil Updated logoDREAM TEAM

Dream Team poster

Filmmakers Lev Kalman and Whitney Horn bring us an absurdist homage to 90s basic cable TV thrillers. DREAM TEAM follows the episodic escapades of two hot West Coast INTERPOL agents who uncover an international, interspecies mystery involving psychic coral, a sexually suggestive scientist, and an invisible coworker with a very vindictive streak. Do you remember when you used to fall asleep in front of the television in middle school and wake up at 2 am only to find some weird low-budget movie playing? DREAM TEAM takes you back in a time machine of half-awake ideas and visual nostalgia.

Dream team NoAgents No and Chase (Esther Garrel and Alex Zhang Hungtai) leisurely follow the trail of deaths but mostly sport tight clothes and make innuendos. The script occurs in episodes featuring a repeated title sequence and undeniably clever cheeky titles.

The 16mm cinematography is Chef’s Kiss, from the extreme handheld close-ups to the shaky handheld everything else. The editing by Whitney is a masterful fever dream of overlapping superimposed fades and soft-core imagery (many aquarium shots. A lot.) The amount of B-roll outnumbers the actual plot. Each element nails the 90s aesthetic, with appropriately absurd costumes and a wealth of black light.

Dream team 1The script is intentionally utter nonsense. If you want to learn about coral, DREAM TEAM is your jam. Performances across the board are spot-on for mediocre porn overdramatics. I feel like watching on mushrooms would be an experience. There are so many moments of WTF I lost count 30 minutes in. At that point, it is best to throw your hands up and tell yourself, “Sure, why not?” My favorite scene involves an invisible coworker. I was also thankful for the break in what I assume are meant to be channel surfing breaks in the narrative pattern.

Dream team 2It is easy to see why Jane Schoenbrun acts as executive producer. The neon color pops are right up her alley. Listen, coming from someone who starred in two of these things many years ago – do not even try to look that shit up on the internet, I will hunt you down- DREAM TEAM owns the bit. The question remains whether audiences will tolerate it for 90-plus minutes.

 

The trippy, surreal, sci-fi/comedy
DREAM TEAM
opens at Metrograph NYC on Nov. 15th
 
The acclaimed 16mm satire of 90s softcore action is produced by I SAW THE TV GLOW writer/director Jane Schoenbrun
 
 

The third audacious feature from Lev Kalman and Whitney Horn (L FOR LEISURE, TWO PLAINS & A FANCY), DREAM TEAM once again blends the filmmakers’ wild genre pastiches into sociopolitical parables, creating a truly unforgettable – and beautifully weird – cinema experience. The critically-acclaimed sci-fi/comedy debuted at 2024’s International Film Festival Rotterdam and stars Esther Garrel and Alex Zhang Hungtai.

An absurdist homage to ’90s basic cable TV thrillers, DREAM TEAM follows the episodic escapades of two hot West Coast INTERPOL agents who uncover an international, interspecies mystery involving psychic coral, a sexually suggestive scientist, and an invisible coworker with a very vindictive streak.

DREAM TEAM kicks off a retrospective of Kalman and Horn’s filmography at the Metrograph in New York City. Their previous two features will play In Theater as part of the “Retro-Futurism: The Films of Lev Kalman & Whitney Horn” series, and screen via Metrograph At Home.

Distributed by Yellow Veil Pictures, the satirical sci-fi/comedy is produced by Lev Kalman, Whitney Horn, Sarah Winshall, Pierce Varous, and I SAW THE TV GLOW director Jane Schoenbrun.

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‘CELLAR DOOR’ (2024) A solid thriller with a killer ending.

lionsgate logoCELLAR DOOR

cellar door poster

Director Vaughn Stein brings us CELLAR DOOR. Following a loss, couple John and Sera seek a new beginning. A mysterious man offers to gift them his elegant home. But, it comes with one unusual caveat. They must never open the cellar door.

Laurence Fishburne is Emmett Claymore. His iconic presence and voice offer equal parts comfort and sinister edge. Scott Speedman is John. This anxiety-soaked performance keeps you on the edge of your seat, reeling you into the slow-creeping plot. Jordana Brewster is Sera. She offers enthusiasm and hope through her grief, which feels wholeheartedly inspiring. Writers allow her to pull off an illusion that makes the film something special. Speedman and Brewtser’s chemistry is solid.

Cellar Door Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes - www.rottentomatoes.comThe set is marvelous. Wood-paneled rooms mixed with modern updates, a sprawling terrace, and an exterior straight out of Great Expectations, the audience falls in love with the house at first glance.

Screenwriters Sam Scott and Lori Evans Taylor toy with our emotions. The mystery simmers, and what we don’t see creates a boundless tension. The plot has sprinkles of What Lies Beneath and Gone Girl, focusing on themes of temptation, betrayals, secrets, and boundaries. CELLAR DOOR delivers a classic, tense build-up of scenarios, boasting a delicious final twist. It’s the best of the Faustian subgenre.

Cellar Door Trailer:

In Select Theaters and On Digital November 1st

Directed by: Vaughn Stein

Written by: Sam Scott & Lori Evans Taylor

Starring: Jordana Brewster, Scott Speedman, Laurence Fishburne

Produced by: Tom Butterfield, John Papsidera, Craig Perry, Sheila Hanahan

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Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Runtime: 97 Mins

Looking for a fresh start after a miscarriage, a couple (Brewster and Speedman) find themselves being gifted the house of their dreams from a wealthy homeowner (Fishburne) with one caveat – they can never open the cellar door. Whether they can live without knowing triggers shocking consequences.

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‘Me, Myself & The Void’ (2024) Interview with filmmaker Tim Hautekiet about his mind-bending indie gem.

Me, Myself & The Void

me Myself & the Void poster

ME, MYSELF & THE VOID is one of the year’s most inventive films. I got to chat with filmmaker Tim Hautekiet about the entire process. You can find a few Behind-The-Scenes photos and our conversation below. Do not miss this one. You have no excuse since the film is on VOD right now!! 

Synopsis: Trapped in a mysterious void outside the bounds of time and space, a struggling stand-up comedian must investigate how his body wound up motionless on his bathroom floor and wake himself up before it’s too late.


Tim! Congratulations on such a unique, engaging, and endlessly funny film. What sparked this screenplay and where did you start? The mystery aspect is delicious. You had me think everyone was guilty at any given time. 


My co-writer Nik Oldershaw and I spent a long time trying to figure out how to crack the hook of the film. We knew we liked the idea of a film set in a void world with minimalistic props and set design portraying the locations to the audience but we didn’t have a story that tied it all together. Once we landed on the idea that it was going to be about a character who was trapped inside a void world and was going to have to investigate his own memories to identify how he wound up there, that’s when we first saw the true shape of the story. We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the mystery aspect as that’s definitely what compelled us to write the story and figure out who Jack really was. me Myself & the Void still 22. The varying visual aspects are so cool, from the black and white to the halo effect. Those specificities keep the audience relatively grounded in Jack’s chaotic “space and time.” What did this storyboarding look like? With all the elements involved, I imagine it was a huge wall or an entire room.


We used a variety of different techniques to visualize everything. We had a very tight shot list and I got to collaborate with Conor Fitzgerald to create certain key frames from the film in order to be able to better communicate with our various department heads. For some of the more complicated sequences, I worked with a storyboard artist called Sam Vest. In particular, sequences where Jack tries to move his body in the void world and that then causes movement in the real world.

3. How many days did you shoot for, and (speaking of visuals) how long did the editing take? 


We shot for 15 days in November 2021 and then did a single pick up day the following summer. We started editing as soon as the film was wrapped and the edit took approximately a year because it was a small team of myself, Ryan Turner, and Ryan Blewett jumping in whenever we could. The process worked quite well to keep things fresh, you’d hand over the edit and then get to see it again with fresh eyes after the next editor put their spin on it.me Myself & the Void still 14. Can you tell us about casting Kelly Marie, Chris, and Jack? Their chemistry is magic. Did you let them play with dialogue during the shoot?


I’d been a fan of Chris and Jack for a long time and had enjoyed the pleasure of working with them on two different short sketch projects prior to reaching out to them about Me, Myself & The Void. They are incredibly gifted improvisers so if time allowed on set, we’d let them run with a couple of alternative takes if we already had a take that was true to the production script.

As for Kelly, I hadn’t worked with her before but she and Jack briefly shared a scene in “Sorry For Your Loss” and I remember thinking they performed so well together. She’s also got incredible comedy chops and watching her bounce off Chris and Jack in a scene was always fun to watch.

I’m so proud of the entire cast. Jack, Chris, Kelly, Akilah Hughes, James Babson, Kristin Carey, and Darren Durpree Washington… Not to forget Gio Randazzo who played Jack’s body double. We couldn’t have made this film without them.BTS 1 Me, Myself, & the Void5. The set is incredible. As a theatre nerd, it was immersive enough for the imagination to fill in the blanks and for the cast to play on. How did you decide on a unit set?


Thank you so much! Our production designer Katie Theel, art director Bethany Struble, and their entire team really outdid themselves. They had to build the full apartment set first and then slowly strip it away as we entered the void. We thought it could present an interesting opportunity to make various set design elements crucial to the story. What pieces need to remain in order for the audience to still grasp the shape of where our characters are in the void.


BTS 2 Me, Myself, & the Void6. Would you and Nik consider a franchise with new characters? I would be the first person watching the interactions of other people’s minds swirling with what-ifs!


Haha! I’ll confess we conceived of this project as a one-off but never say never. We loved making this film and if the opportunity to do another psychological “void” deep dive into a character presented itself, we’d certainly consider it.


Thank you so much for chatting about Me, Myself, & the Void. It’s a total gem, that took me off guard in all the best ways, so all my applause to you!

Me, Myself, & The Void Trailer:

You can check out Me, Myself & The Void on VOD now!!

 

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‘THE COMPLEX FORMS’ (Screamfest 2024) An exquisitely crafted nightmare.

Screamfest 2020 banner logoTHE COMPLEX FORMS

The Complex Forms poster

Filmmaker Fabio D’Orta‘s THE COMPLEX FORMS plays Screamfest 2024. The film follows a group of men who sell their bodies for temporary possession by an unknown entity that emerges from the woods. In an ancient Italian villa, our characters work until chosen. Upon seeing the horrors that await them, the roommates decide to run.

The Complex Forms 3A sweeping opening shot accompanied by Riccardo Amorese‘s booming cinematic score immediately grabs your attention. The location is exquisite, with sprawling grounds and old-world villa architecture. THE COMPLEX FORMS is visually spectacular at every turn. Our mysterious entities remind me of the darkest Jim Henson creatures and Moana’s villainous crab, Tamatoa.

The Complex Forms 2David Richard White gives leading man Christian an intriguing mix of fear and determination. Aided by D’Orta’s sharp cinematography, White compels you to root for him.

THE COMPLEX FORMS gives audiences much to chew on in 74 minutes. The double-entendre title is particularly clever. The film boasts a finale you will never see coming. Fabio D’Orta is an undeniable visionary.

The Complex Forms Trailer:

SYDNEY SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL – Wins BEST DIRECTOR NOT FILM FEST – SPECIAL MENTION KANAZAWA FILM FEST – Wins BEST VFX FILM AWARD XXIII MACABRO FILM FESTIVAL – Wins BEST DIRECTOR PORTLAND HORROR FILM FESTIVAL – Wins FOR BEST CREATURE FEATURE AWARD MAMMOTH LAKES FILM FESTIVAL – Wins JURY AWARD BEST INT’L NARRATIVE FEATURE MAMMOTH LAKES FILM FESTIVAL – Wins AUDIENCE AWARD BEST INT’L NARRATIVE FEATURE 44th FANTASPORTO FILM FESTIVAL 2024 – SPECIAL JURY AWARD SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2024 – HONORABLE MENTION 41TORINO FILM FESTIVAL – SPECIAL MENTION

  • Director:
    Fabio D’Orta
  • Screenwriter:
    Fabio D’Orta
  • Producer:
    Fabio D’Orta
  • Executive Producer:
    Fabio D’Orta, Mariangela Bombardieri, Mariacristina Bombardieri
  • Cast:
    David Richard White, Michele Venni, Cesare Bonomelli, Enzo Solazzi
  • Production Design:
    Fabio D’Orta, Mariangela Bombardieri
  • Music:
    Riccardo Amorese
  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    01:14:00
  • Language:
    Italian
  • Country:
    Italy
  • Premiere:
    LA Premiere
  • Rating:
    Unrated

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‘BA’ (Screamfest 2024) A deal with the devil and desperation.

Screamfest 2020 banner logoBA

BA - 2024 Screamfest Horror Film Festival - screamfest2024.eventive.orgYou’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. In Benjamin Wong‘s Screamfest 2024 film BA, a father in dire straights makes a supernatural bargain with hideous consequences. On a mission to provide a better life for his young daughter, Daniel must reap souls until he settles his debt. His appearance is a decaying skeleton, names carved into his skin, and physical touch kills any living thing. But, if he breaks the otherwordly agreement, it could be deadly.

ba still 1Daniel’s challenges are plenty. Besides the Faustian bargain, he must keep his features hidden from his daughter. If she comes in contact with her, she will perish. He makes extra cash by working nights for a near-blind convenience store owner. He walks in the daylight draped in clothing to conceal his literal Death mask. With Collette missing school, Daniel must also dodge child services.

Ba still 2The FX makeup is sleek and scary, and the team matches Daniel’s reflection moments. Kai Cech delivers a lovely performance as Collette, giving her natural innocence and an appropriate fear of abandonment. Lawrence Kao gives a relatable turn, making impossible decisions that any parent would replicate in his position. It is a nuanced role, and Kao brings us along on his emotional rollercoaster with gentle hands.

The film is an intriguing mix of desperate times call for desperate measures, and a unique canon. There is enough meat on the bone to expand the film into a series. It’s not gruesome and nails the fantasy aspect. BA is a PG-13 graphic novel foray into the genre.

BA Trailer:

  • Director:
    Benjamin Wong
  • Screenwriter:
    Benjamin Wong
  • Producer:
    Elizabeth Ai
  • Cast:
    Lawrence Kao, Kai Cech, Brian Thompson, Michael Paul Chan, Shelli Boone, Jonathan Medina
  • Sound Design:
    Sung Rok Choi
  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    1:19:00
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    United States
  • Premiere:
    LA Premiere
  • Rating:
    Unrated
  • Genre:
    Fantasy, Horror, Drama, Supernatural, Thriller, Genre-Bending, Asian American, Magical Realism, Dark Fantasy

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