Critically acclaimed horror-thriller Strange Darling, from the producers of Late Night with the Devil and Barbarian, will have its European Premiere at FrightFest London on 24th August 2024, before releasing in UK cinemas from 20th September 2024 courtesy of Icon Film Distribution.

A clever and relentless thrill ride that defies audience expectation at every turn, in Strange Darling, nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.

A brand new horror-thriller from the producers of Late Night with the Devil and Barbarian, this flawlessly constructed, fresh take on the cat-and-mouse genre stars Willa Fitzgerald (Reacher, Scream series), Kyle Gallner (Smile, 2022 Scream), Ed Begley Jr. (Better Call Saul, A Mighty Wind) and Barbara Hershey (Black Swan, Insidious, The Last Temptation of Christ).

Distributed by the UK and Ireland by Icon Film Distribution, Strange Darling is a Miramax and Spooky Pictures Production. The film is produced by Bill Block, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Giovanni Ribisi and Chris Ivan Cevic, with Giovanni Ribisi also serving as the Director of Photography.

Spencer Pollard of Icon Film Distribution says of the upcoming release: “We are thrilled (literally) to be releasing Strange Darling in the UK later this Autumn. It is such a clever film that twists and turns itself inside out and leaves the viewer surprised, enthralled and on the edge of their seat all the way through this glorious piece of cinematic beauty.”

STRANGE DARLING HAS ITS EUROPEAN PREMIERE AT FRIGHTFEST LONDON ON 24th AUGUST 2024

RELEASING IN UK CINEMAS FROM 20th SEPTEMBER 2024

OWN IT ON BLU-RAY & DIGITAL FROM 2nd DECEMBER 2024

FrightFest information and tickets: https://www.frightfest.co.uk/

About Icon Film Distribution

Icon Film Distribution is a long-standing distributor of acclaimed cinema, with recent releases for 2024 including brand new 4K UHD Special Collector’s Editions of 90’s classic thriller Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze, and Spike Lee directed, Malcolm X, starring Denzel Washington; epic historical drama The Promised Land, with Mads Mikkelsen; Imogen Poots starring Baltimore – the infamous true story of an English heiress turned Irish revolutionary; Ewan and Clara McGregor familial drama Bleeding Love; and set to be one of the most talked about films of the summer, Sasquatch Sunset, starring Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg.

Unlimited access to Icon’s extensive catalogue is available via subscription based streaming service, the Icon Film Channel, available at iconfilmchannel.uk, through Amazon Prime Video in the UK, and via a standalone app available through all major aggregators. In addition to showcasing more than 400 blockbuster hits, cult-classics and award-winning films, including the Academy Award nominated Drive starring Ryan Gosling; star-studded Academy Award winner Gosford Park; iconic British rom-com with Gwyneth Paltrow, Sliding Doors; high adrenaline action thrillers such as Jason Statham’s Transporter 3; cult favourite Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery; and much-loved family films such as The Little Vampire and Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, starring Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman, the Icon Film Channel also offers exclusive channel premieres for early home viewing, with brand new major titles debuting on the platform ahead of their theatrical or UK-wide digital release.

2023 saw the latest extension of the Icon brand, with FAST TV channel, Icon Film Channel Classics delivering prime-time, 100% free, viewing opportunities to UK viewers. As of May 2024, the IFC Classics channel can also be found on Samsung TV Plus (channel #4987) and on LG TV (#1115 – UK & #226 -IE).

Icon Film Distribution’s parent company is KFilm, which also includes UK and international distribution companies, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution and Platform Entertainment. Collectively, the catalogue is now in excess of 2,000 titles.

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post Acclaimed horror-thriller STRANGE DARLING scores European Premiere at FrightFest London on 24th August 2024 | In UK cinemas 20th September 2024 appeared first on Horror Asylum.

This wonderfully photographed tapestry of terror by Konstantinos Koutsoliotas’ is a visual and auditory feast reminiscent of Cronos (1992) by Guillermo Del Toro. It’s summer on the Mediterranean coast when strange fog descends on a laid-back port town in Greece, causing its inhabitants to experience visions causing them to sleepwalk into the sea. Turns out that small, multi-limbed monsters reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu have invaded the town. These little beasties fly, grab, tear off heads, and rip out entrails while preparing the way for the large version of themselves called Great Devourer.

The beauty of Minore (2023) is that one gets the taste and ambiance of the people in the little village. Many monster films simply bring people together such as teenagers going on a trip, and people on vacation who take a wrong turn with emphasis on getting to the kills and the creature set pieces. Yet this film is refreshingly different. Using an approach similar to Humanoids From the Deep (1980) one gets to see the people’s lives, their loves, the personalities from an older fellow who sees the ghost of his dead wife to a gang member trying to extort money, to a tattooed bodybuilder with a penchant for making bladed weapons out of musical instruments. The picture takes the tropes of the remote village, townspeople, mysterious fog and a monstrous evil threatening a small bunch of people that are forced to band together and turns it into a delightful journey with action, gore and fun galore.

Photographed in painted colours the film has an unhurried pace reflective of the town’s way of life dominated by food and music. Sequences of music playing, dancing, walking, and eating wonderful food all serve to introduce this world. Even when the drama reaches fever pitch with gore-filled battles. The work creates low-key moments, interactions and quirky set pieces that make one consider multiple viewing for the scenery, the people, and the dialogue.

The locals are led by the bar’s owner, Pantelis (Christos Callow) as they wait for a man they call Teacher. Every night a table is set for his late wife. The Teacher aka Nikodimos (Meletis Georgiadis) is highly revered amongst the locals.

The sailor William (Davide Tucci) is a visitor to this port on shore leave who is looking for the father he never knew. It might be The Teacher Nikodimos who is a master of the bouzouki, one of which William carries with him as his only gift from his father. William has a romantic fling with Aliki (Daphne Alexander) a waitress at a restaurant not far from the hotel. Tremors shake through the night and spikes rise out of the ocean. Residents fall under the spell of a siren song and walk into the sea. Suddenly skinned corpses begin to show up in some wonderful practical effects on shore.

The real horror begins with the monsters grabbing and flying while the townspeople blast them and toss bombs at a local church while the creatures tear the people’s limbs. It’s a dark comedy like when the bodybuilder who builds musical instrument weapons gets his arm lasered off in battle. A tentacle emerges from the stump of his arm and flexes upward, the bodybuilder collapses saying, “Which way to the beach?”.  Even a moment when William is being dragged by a creature after an attack in a bar only to have him grab an intestine as a rope to save himself. Lots of slime, blood, flying monsters and brutal gunfire action drive this film accented by wonderful funny bits tossed in.

Many might be turned off regarding the film’s beginning, but it only adds to the fun of the later stages plus the subtitles. Minore (2023) is well worth the time and the journey with all the images and for anyone even non-genre fans.

Terry Sherwood

The post MINORE (2023) appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Evocatively photographed in early Mario Bava ‘Black Sunday’ style in black and white you find a group of men who have been coerced into walking a coffin to the local graveyard for burial. However, the path they must tread is menaced by a hellhound and other supernatural entities after dark. The body is an accident victim who is the son of Squire Marlow (Mark Carlisle). The men contracted to help are Ransley (James Swanton) a drunken, ribald peasant Pike (Richard Rowden) and Holt (Harry Roebuck) the best friend of the deceased.

The journey begins with a few moments of quarrelling amongst themselves plus violence and intervals to ‘pass water’. Abruptly strange things begin to happen all around them that they barely notice till too late. As darkness surrounds them so does the uncovered family secrets, illicit love and revenge burst forth perpetrated by an unseen force.

An unseen hound according to folk legend brings of ill-fortune – seems to be following them, along with a spectral figure. Panic quickly sets in amongst the group, despite the Squire’s increasingly brutal attempts to maintain order. Will any survive? There is no portrait to retreat into or mirror to break to stop the unrelenting terror of the night. No shelter from the storm of thoughts and impending doom that takes its toll.

This is an age when demons dwell at night and where corpses must be carried ‘feet first so they do not find their way back.’ Likely suicides are buried at crossroads, so they do not find their way back to their loved ones.

In a short film, all actors must be strong, distinctive and have a purpose. The cast is brilliant in this picture, working together with distinctive speech patterns and intonations. The Squire with his bombastic, voice commanding all and saying he will double their fee to continue. Pike with his articulate wordy speech with the right amount of uneducated local twang you would find in a local tavern or making an appearance in a ‘Universal Pictures’ torch-carrying mob. Ransley and Holt who as the Squire’s men to maintain order and blindly try to keep the lid on their fears and revelations.

Eerie moments of darkness, fog and still my personal favourite to see the breath of people at night when it is cold out makes this a top-notch little atmospheric ghost story.

Terry Sherwood

The post TO FIRE YOU COME AT LAST (2023) appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Projected Figures

‘Proffers commentary on recent and current social issues including pandemic-related and political ones while delivering relationship drama and zombie suspense…. impressive… terrific performances’

Horror Fuel

‘A zombie movie in essence, but it’s the other concerns that make this far more interesting than the usual horde of cannibalistic apocalypse movies… With a doomy musical score and naturalistic cast, this emotional character piece that examines the political fragility of rural America during an extreme situation proves to be a real palate cleanser’ 

The Geek Show

Starring:

Ellen Adair (Homeland, The Sinner), Jeremy Holm (The Ranger, House of Cards, Mr. Robot), Timothy V. Murphy (Snowpiercer, The Lone Ranger, Sons of Anarchy, Westworld), Corbin Bernsen (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Major League) and Mitzi Akaha (Archive 81).

Have you Herd…? There’s a brand-new action-packed zombie thriller from Steven Pierce coming to our screens, starring The Sinner’s Ellen Adair (Homeland, The Sinner) as a woman trying to outrun her past, but who accidentally runs headlong into a rampant zombie outbreak and a raging war between militia groups…

Following its successful World Premiere at FrightFest 2023 this August, you can join the Herd on Digital and DVD on 23rd October 2023.

With her marriage on the rocks, Jamie (Adair) convinces her wife, Alex (Mitzi Akaha – Archive 81), to join her on a make-or-break canoe trip to her remote hometown in rural Missouri, where her father (Corbin Bernsen – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Major League) still lives. But when an accident leaves Alex with a broken leg, things quickly go from bad to worse to unimaginable…

When they finally reach the town, they discover it’s been overrun by Heps – virus-infected humans turned bloody-thirsty zombies that are multiplying by the minute.

Even worse…. Alex has been scratched by one of the infected. As panic spreads, violence erupts, and hope turns to horror as the couple find themselves caught between two warring militia groups and the ravenous zombies and must do anything and everything they can to survive.

It’s fight for survival or fight for control as zombies face off with militia in a battle between the unstoppable undead and the cold-blooded commandos… and two women who’ll fight to the very last to make it out alive in this bloody-brilliant zombie fest.

Herd arrives on Digital and DVD on 23^rd October 2023 from High Fliers Films

About High Fliers

Based in the world-famous Pinewood Studios, and celebrating its 35th anniversay in the film industry, High Fliers was formed in 1988 as a rental company for Home Entertainment and quickly established itself as a market leader in the field as one of the most respected independent distributors in the UK. Supplying all the big rental outlets in the UK and Eire, it was High Fliers that first originated the idea of early Rental Exclusives, a practice that has now become a successful staple of the VOD market in the UK.

In 2010 the company expanded from rental into retail distribution and has gone from strength to strength. In 2014 High Fliers started producing low risk commercially viable feature films. The first were two One Direction documentaries, which sold over 100,000 units in the UK and went on to be sold all major international territories. Following this the company has produced fantasy epics, true-life war films, serial killer thrillers all hugely financial successful. With each film, the aim is to produce bigger and better films across assorted genres and make High Fliers one of the leading independent production companies in the UK.

As of 2019, as well as continuing to produce films, High Fliers has established itself as a rapidly growing international sales force with a dedicated team attending all the major international film markets, such as CANNES, AFM, EFM, and TIFF. With their knowledgeable support from the sale to delivery, High Fliers Films is the complete one-stop-shop for Films.

https://www.highfliersfilms.co.uk/

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post HERD starring Ellen Adair & Jeremy Holm gets Digital & DVD release on 23rd October 2023 appeared first on Horror Asylum.

The distribution arrangement was negotiated by Greg Newman, Executive Vice President of Dark Sky Films, and Bill Straus of Bridge Independent.

HERD tells the story of a woman trying to outrun a past complicated by an abusive father. When she and her wife end up trapped between a zombie outbreak and warring militia groups in her hometown, she is forced to fight for both love and survival.

​Additional cast in HERD includes Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm), Corbin Bernsen (The Dentist, Tales From the Hood), & Timothy V. Murphy (Tragedy Girls). The film is produced by Pierce, Allerdyce, Matt Mundy, Lori Kay & Bret Carr on behalf of Framework Productions, with cinematography by Brennan Full, production design by Michael David, and costume design by Lauren Lau, with a score by Alexander Arntzen.

Dark Sky Films EVP Greg Newman said, “Steven Pierce has crafted a film that brilliantly ratchets up the tension and puts a fresh spin on the zombie outbreak subgenre. We’re thrilled to be releasing HERD under the Dark Sky Films banner this fall.”

Director Steven Pierce said, “Dark Sky has been a strong player in the cultivating some of the most unique horror films available for some time and I am so pleased that HERD will be taking a place alongside their awesome lineup of titles.”

Official Synopsis:

Jamie and her wife, Alex, try to save their failing marriage by taking an isolated canoe trip in rural Missouri. After Alex breaks her leg, the women find themselves trapped in Jamie’s small hometown overrun by virus-infected ‘Heps’. Worse, Alex gets scratched by one of the afflicted. After witnessing personal and gruesome horrors, she attempts to sneak away with Alex, only to be betrayed by one of her only connections. Now caught between the group that saved her, a competing militia, and the growing ‘Hep’ threat, is there any chance she can save Alex and finally escape?

About MPI and Dark Sky Films

The MPI Media Group is a leading producer, distributor and licensor of films. Founded in 1976, Chicago-based MPI Media Group remains one of the largest independent entertainment companies producing and distributing a compelling slate of the world’s most respected cinema, documentaries, performances and television programs. MPI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Dark Sky Films is an independent film production and distribution label founded in 2008, working with emerging talent as well as established veterans to develop, package, produce and finance feature films and episodic television projects. Representing films from some of most talented directors working today, such as Ti West’s The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, and Jim Mickle’s Stake Land, Dark Sky continues to identify original talent and projects to bring a vibrant slate of films to the world market, with original productions and releases such as Girl on the Third Floor, We Are Still Here, Deathgasm, Emelie, Catfight, Darlin’, Bliss and more recently 1BR, Coming Home In The Dark, Broadcast Signal Intrusion, Mother May I? and more. | Follow us on twitter: @darkskyfilms @mpimediagroup

About Framework Productions 

Since 2009 Framework Productions has been focused on the creation of narrative films, documentaries, commercials & branded content, visually stunning live performances, and its newly expanded independent film division. Leading collaborations with The Lumineers, Amazon, HULU, CBS, T-Mobile, Canon, Capital One, American Family Insurance, Kurt Warner, and JJ Watt, Framework specializes in cultivating successful stories across any genre.

About Steven Pierce

Award-winning director and writer Steven Pierce is known for his diverse portfolio encompassing narrative and documentary films, live music, and commercials. Notable works include his debut narrative feature HERD, as well as a documentary/concert film spotlighting indie sensation Buke & Gase, both released in 2023. He was the showrunner for the hit online series “Top Photographer” starring Nigel Barker, and “What It Takes,” a collaboration with the NHL and Hulu that preceded the 2019 Stanley Cup. His dynamic storytelling style seamlessly blends narrative and pace, captivating audiences and bringing stories to life on screen.

As a documentary director, Steven has told the stories of prominent figures including Kurt Warner, JJ Watt, Jamaal Charles, Emmanuel Sanders, and Christian Yelich, among others. His live directing credits feature iconic performances by artists like the Lumineers, Cee Lo Green and the Muppets, Ed Sheeran, Regina Spektor, twentyone pilots, Sheryl Crow, and Gary Clark Jr. Additionally, his commercial work boasts partnerships with renowned brands such as Amazon, Toyota, CBS, T-Mobile, Canon, Nikon, Proctor and Gamble, Verizon, Motorola, American Family Insurance, and AT&T.

He has garnered four collaborative Emmy awards and an A.C.E. nomination for his contributions to “Saturday Night Live.”

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post Dark Sky Films Acquires HERD Out of FrightFest appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post IT LIVES INSIDE – UK Premiere at FrightFest 25th August 2023 & Coming to UK Cinemas from 22nd September 2023 appeared first on Horror Asylum.

High Fliers is thrilled to announce that following its highly anticipated World Premiere at FrightFest 2023 on Saturday 26th August 2023, you can join the Herd on digital and physical this October.

With her marriage on the rocks, Jamie (Adair) convinces her wife, Alex (Mitzi Akaha – Archive 81), to join her on a make-or-break canoe trip to her remote hometown in rural Missouri, where her father (Corbin Bernsen – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Major League) still lives. But when an accident leaves Alex with a broken leg, things quickly go from bad to worse to unimaginable…

When they finally reach the town, they discover it’s been overrun by Heps – virus-infected humans turned bloody-thirsty zombies that are multiplying by the minute.

Even worse…. Alex has been scratched by one of the infected. As panic spreads, violence erupts, and hope turns to horror as the couple find themselves caught between two warring militia groups and the ravenous zombies and must do anything and everything they can to survive.

It’s fight for survival or fight for control as zombies face off with militia in a battle between the unstoppable undead and the cold-blooded commandos… and two women who’ll fight to the very last to make it out alive in this bloody-brilliant zombie fest.

UK Home Entertainment release 23^rd October 2023

Screens Saturday 26th August 2023 at 18:20pm and Sunday 27th August 2023 at 13:40pm 

Check out FrightFest for more details

About High Fliers

Based in the world-famous Pinewood Studios, and celebrating its 35th anniversay in the film industry, High Fliers was formed in 1988 as a rental company for Home Entertainment and quickly established itself as a market leader in the field as one of the most respected independent distributors in the UK. Supplying all the big rental outlets in the UK and Eire, it was High Fliers that first originated the idea of early Rental Exclusives, a practice that has now become a successful staple of the VOD market in the UK.

In 2010 the company expanded from rental into retail distribution and has gone from strength to strength. In 2014 High Fliers started producing low risk commercially viable feature films. The first were two One Direction documentaries, which sold over 100,000 units in the UK and went on to be sold all major international territories. Following this the company has produced fantasy epics, true-life war films, serial killer thrillers all hugely financial successful. With each film, the aim is to produce bigger and better films across assorted genres and make High Fliers one of the leading independent production companies in the UK.

As of 2019, as well as continuing to produce films, High Fliers has established itself as a rapidly growing international sales force with a dedicated team attending all the major international film markets, such as CANNES, AFM, EFM, and TIFF. With their knowledgeable support from the sale to delivery, High Fliers Films is the complete one-stop-shop for Films.

https://www.highfliersfilms.co.uk/

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post HERD follows FrightFest Premiere with Home Ent. Release of the action-packed zombie thriller starring Ellen Adair In October from High Fliers appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Director Airell Hayles says of the project, ‘I love Christmas horror movies, and to work with this cast on such a crazy story really is another nightmare come true, after our first three feature films also received a FrightFest screening.’

Werewolf Santa is soon to announce its distribution partner, and aspires to become an alternative holiday favourite.

You can find out more about FrightFest and purchase tickets for the festival here: https://frightfest.co.uk/tickets.html 

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post ‘WEREWOLF SANTA’ ANNOUNCES WORLD PREMIERE IS AT FRIGHTFEST 2023 appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post Teaser Poster Released for Bloody Slasher FOUNDERS DAY – International Premiere at FrightFest on 28th August appeared first on Horror Asylum.

Here For Blood will have its English Premiere at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest on Friday 25th August 2023

www.frightfest.co.uk

Dubbed “the Woodstock of Gore” by director Guillermo Del Toro, FrightFest, set up in 2000, has grown in size and stature since its cult roots at the Prince Charles Cinema and today is internationally renowned for discovering exciting and original horror fantasy genre films and for supporting the talent behind them, helping to launch the careers of such directors as Simon Rumley, Christopher Smith, Eli Roth, Neil Marshall and Simon Hunter.

Over the years the festival directors, Greg Day, Alan Jones, Paul McEvoy and Ian Rattray, have developed FrightFest into a brand leader for horror film, expanding its footprint in the UK by hosting special events throughout the year and joining forces with the Glasgow Film Festival, where they run an established three-day event. They have teamed up with FAB Press to publish a series of ‘The FrightFest Guide To…’ books and have an exclusive partnership with Signature Entertainment to release films under the festival’s thriving label ‘FrightFest Presents’. You can catch the documentary FRIGHTFEST: BENEATH THE DARK HEART OF CINEMA on Amazon.

Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins

horrorscreamsvideovault.co.uk

The post HERE FOR BLOOD | A pro-wrestler is pitted against a sinister cult in this bloody home-invasion action-horror appeared first on Horror Asylum.