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Join The Cult In ‘The Secret Village’
We’ve just landed a series of behind-the-scenes images and Cannes sales art for The Secret Village, Swamy Kandan’s indie horror starring Jonathan Bennett (Memorial Day, Van Wilder:Freshman Year, Mean Girls), Ali Faulkner (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1), SAG nominee Stelio Savante (A Million Colours, Stealing Roses, Ugly Betty) and Richard Riehle (Bridesmaids, Halloween II, A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas). Written by Swamy Kandan and Jason Whittier, the indie is executive produced by Raj T. Rajan MD, produced by Swamy Kandan and co produced by Sridhar Ranganath. Brought to the screen by Midnight Friends films with Christopher Holmes (The Patriot, Tears Of The Sun) confirmed as editor.
“”‘The Secret Village’ is a psychological thriller that follows Greg, (Jonathan Bennett) an unsuccessful screenwriter and Rachel, (Ali Fau lkner) a beautiful journalist as they research an outbreak of mass hysteria in a small village. They rent a house together and start to uncover a secret about ergot poisoning that has affected this village for years. But the cult activity has been kept a secret by the locals (Stelio Savante and Richard Riehle) and when Greg disappears, Rachel is left alone to unravel the mystery and save their lives.”
Photo Still Credits: John Kickery & Sridhar Ranganath
We have an exclusive first look at A Man in the Woods With an Axe, a blood-soaked, genre-twisting homage to 1980s slasher films.
Spanning four decades, A Man in the Woods With an Axe begins in the summer of 1987 before pushing into the modern era, weaving together timelines and perspectives in a way that builds both dread and intrigue.
Drawing inspiration from genre standouts like Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Hatchet, and The Cabin in the Woods, the film blends visceral horror with moments of dark humor, creating a uniquely balanced experience that honors tradition while carving its own identity.
Writer-director Dillon Brown (Primal Darkness) aims to deliver everything fans crave from a slasher while boldly subverting expectations with a mid-film twist that redefines the story.
“This is an unapologetic love letter to the films that made me fall in love with horror,” Brown tells Bloody Disgusting. “But I didn’t just want to recreate that feeling; I wanted to challenge it. About halfway through, the film takes a turn that completely changes how you view not only this story, but the genre itself.”
Brown describes the vintage-inspired production as “far and away the bloodiest film I’ve ever made,” with practical effects helmed by Cody Ruch (The Mill, Pig Hill), an instructor at Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program.
From Horror Dadz Productions, A Man in the Woods With an Axe is currently in production and targeting an early 2027 release.
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