“One of the best movies I’ve seen this year.”
– Stephen King”In this bonkers new thriller, two of the most esteemed actors of our time are having the times of their lives. Playing like a modern-day Edgar Allan Poe tale as helmed by Stuart Gordon, it’s an old-age nightmare that delivers the gonzo genre goods.”
– Nick Schager, THE DAILY BEAST
“An unforgettable, bone-chilling cinematic experience that cuts, stuns, and leaves a scar. John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush give two of most phenomenal performances of their respective careers. Even the most jaded, desensitized horror fan is going to be shocked by what Lithgow does here.”
– Eric Eisenberg, CINEMA BLEND
“One of recent memory’s more unusual thrillers. A marriage between the psychological eldercare drama you think you know and a toxically masculine ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'”
– Alison Foreman, INDIEWIRE
SynopsisArrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush) suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a retirement home. Resistant to the staff and distant from his friendly roommate, Mortensen soon clashes with seemingly gentle resident Dave Crealy (Lithgow) who secretly terrorizes the home with a sadistic game called “The Rule of Jenny Pen” while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. What begins as childish torment quickly escalates into far more sinister and disturbing incidents. When Mortensen’s pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy’s reign of terror.
About The Director
James Ashcroft formed Light in the Dark Productions in 2014, specializing in contemporary screen adaptations from New Zealand’s literary canon. His feature film directing debut Coming Home in the Dark premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2021 to great acclaim, followed by a global festival tour. He is currently working on a slate of features in the US including Max Brooks’ Devolution and Grady Hendrix’ How To Sell A Haunted House, for Legendary Studios and Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, The Whisper Man for the Russo Brother’s AGBO Productions/Netflix and an adaptation of the graphic novel Old Haunts for AWA Studios.
He attended the Venice Biennale Cinema College as one of 12 teams selected worldwide. He was also one of 15 director/producers selected for the Torino Film Festivals inaugural Up & Coming Programme, showcasing talent from around the world. From 2006-2013, Ashcroft served as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of national Maori theatre company Taki Rua Productions, developing and touring New Zealand works both nationally and internationally. Ashcroft is a graduate of Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He has served internships with acclaimed theatre company The Wooster Group in New York.
Director: James Ashcroft
Screenwriters: Eli Kent, James Ashcroft
Cast: John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush
Producers: Catherine Fitzgerald, Orlando Stewart
Executive Producers: James Ashcroft, Eli Kent, John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Gotto, Nicholas Lazo, Samuel Zimmerman
Director of Photography: Matt Henley
Editor: Gretchen Peterson
Composer: John Gibson
Language: English
Country: New Zealand
Running Time: 103 minutes
Ash Hamilton is not only the owner of Horror-Fix.com, but also one of its major contributors. A long time horror movie enthusiast, Ash has lent his personality to radio and television and continues to support his favorite genre through his writing and art. He also loves beef jerky and puppies... and low-grade street-quality hallucinogens.
