Movies
Emilia Clarke & Victoria Pedretti to Star in ‘When Darkness Loves Us’ from ‘The Rule of Jenny Pen’ Director
Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones,” Terminator: Genisys) is starring in When Darkness Loves Us from director James Ashcroft (The Rule of Jenny Pen).
Bleecker Street has acquired the horror film, which recently wrapped production in New Zealand, for a 2027 US theatrical release.
Marlon Williams (“Sweet Tooth”), Victoria Pedretti (“The Haunting of Hill House”), and Natascha McElhone (The Truman Show) co-star.
The story follows a young woman (Clarke) who, after surviving 15 years trapped in an underground cave system, returns to the surface to reclaim the family she believes is hers, no matter the monstrous cost.
Ashcroft co-wrote the script with Hayley Sproull and Eli Kent, based on Elizabeth Engstrom’s 1985 horror novella of the same name.
“My passion for Elizabeth Engstrom’s story remains boundless; what an absolute gift it has been bringing this work to the screen,” said Ashcroft. “With When Darkness Loves Us, Liz never lets us forget that the actions of her characters are by turns both tragic and monstrous — no matter how sympathetic they may be. But it’s their indelible humanity that can’t be so easily shaken off afterwards, and that’s when we find ourselves at home in the darkness with them.”
“The term ‘world-building’ is wildly overused, but the degree to which James and team have built a subterranean universe cannot be understated,” added Bleecker CEO Kent Sanderson. “This film is a true journey into the darkness, literally and figuratively, and we can’t wait to shock audiences worldwide with James’ singular vision.”
Desray Armstrong (“Wellington Paranormal”) produces. Ant Timpson (Housebound, Turbo Kid) serves as executive producer alongside Ashcroft, Clarke, Katherine Bridle, Bleecker’s Kent Sanderson & Tyler DiNapoli, and Umbrella Entertainment’s Ari Harrison & Jasmin McSweeney.
Victoria Pedretti in ‘Forbidden Fruits’
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”
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