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First Look: ‘Carmilla’ Takes a Bite Out of Period Vampire Lore
Ahead of the AFM in Santa Monica, Fabien M. has provided us with our first ever shot from the UK gothic drama Carmilla, starring rising UK talent Hannah Rae (Broadchurch, City Of Tiny Lights) and young German actress Devrim Lingnau (Under Suspicion), with Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Wolf Hall), Tobias Menzies (Outlander, Game of Thrones), and illusionist Scott Silven.
Inspired by Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 novel of the same name, which is considered to be one of the earliest works of vampire fiction, Carmilla is a dark coming-of-age love story set in the 1780s.
“Raine plays Miss Fontaine, governess to 15-year-old Lara (Hannah Rae) who lives in total isolation in her family home. Struggling to find an outlet for her burgeoning sexuality, Lara is enchanted by the mysterious Carmilla (Devrim Lingnau) and the pair strike up a passionate relationship. However, with rumors and superstition rife and with the exhortation of the family doctor (Tobias Menzies), Carmilla’s presence in their home begins to strike fear into those around her.”
The project is the debut feature of writer-director Emily Harris, who previously collaborated with Ate De Jong on Love Is Thicker Than Water in 2016. Producers are Lizzie Brown of Bird Flight Films and Emily Precious of Fred Films.
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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