We doubt anyone saw Heather Graham‘s genre movie resurgence coming, but we’re very much here for it. One of her earliest roles came in Twin Peaks, so it’s not much of a surprise that she has a passion for unconventional storytelling, but after appearances in Scream 2 and From Hell, she was largely absent from the genre. Thanks in large part to her H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Suitable Flesh in 2023, she’s been fully embracing genre stories, and this year has already seen her starring in the unrelenting Satanic action thriller They Will Kill You, and will soon be seen in Prime Video’s Carrie.
Graham’s next genre movie, What Happened to Doris?, will be premiering at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas on September 20th. Ahead of that premiere, the movie has released a first-look clip, which you can see below.
The movie is described, “In 1974, single mother Doris Bither reported being violently assaulted by an unseen force inside her Culver City home. As the attacks escalated, investigators from UCLA documented a series of terrifying events that would become one of the most infamous paranormal cases in American history. Based on the true story that inspired The Entity, What Happened to Doris? tells the story through the eyes of the family who lived it. Starring Heather Graham, What Happened to Doris? is a harrowing supernatural horror film about an unimaginable haunting—and the devastating cost of refusing to believe its victim.”
What Happened to Doris? was directed by Nick Simon from a script by Thomas Fenton. Also starring in the movie are Mimi Rogers, Marcus Coloma, Kevin Keppy, Daniel Reed Ferrell, and Margo Parker.
Based on the subject matter, this new take on the real-life incident should provoke plenty of conversation. Upon its initial release, The Entity sparked controversy as some audiences believed it to be exploitative, especially given the real-life trauma of sexual assault. Sadly, the movie’s themes feel all the more relevant today, given how much the narrative centers around those who doubt the claims made by the lead character. This first clip implies a more grounded take on the concept, potentially leading to an even more harrowing experience.
There is no official release date set for What Happened to Doris? after its Fantastic Fest premiere.