We now know when some of this year’s best films on the festival circuit will see wider exposure in 2024.
IFC Films and Shudder have unveiled their schedules for next year, and it’s well-stocked with genre features that have won strong responses from fest audiences and critics. Following Xavier Gens’ MAYHEM!, coming to theaters and for rental from IFC January 5, and DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS, premiering on Shudder January 12, the streamer will next debut writer/director Bo Mirhosseni’s HISTORY OF EVIL February 23. Paul Wesley, Jackie Cruz, Murphee Bloom and Rhonda Johnsson Dents star; the synopsis: “In the near future, war and corruption have plagued America and turned it into a theocratic police state. Against the oppression, ordinary citizens have formed a group called The Resistance. One such member, Alegre Dyer, breaks out of political prison and reunites with her husband Ron and daughter Daria. On the run from the militia, the family takes shelter in a remote safe house. But their journey is far from over, as the house’s dark past begins to eat away at Ron, and his earnest desire to keep his family safe is overtaken by something much more sinister.”
Next up is STOPMOTION, from Robert Morgan, a specialist in the titular animation, coming to theaters and digital platforms from IFC February 23 and arriving on Shudder May 24. Scripted by Morgan and Robin King, its cast is headed by Aisling Franciosi, Tom York and Jaz Hutchins. The synopsis: “Ella Blake is a stop-motion animator who is struggling to control her demons after the loss of her overbearing mother. Suddenly alone in the world, she embarks upon the creation of a macabre new puppet film, which soon becomes the battleground for her sanity. As Ella’s mind starts to fracture, the characters in her animated film take on a terrifying life of their own, and the unleashed power of her imagination threatens to destroy her.”
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (pictured above), from writer/directors Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes, will see theatrical release March 22 from IFC and then being streaming on Shudder April 19. David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Fayssal Bazzi, Ian Bliss, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Josh Quong Tart and Georgina Haig star; the synopsis: “A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms.” See our review here.
Debuting on Shudder March 22 is YOU’LL NEVER FIND ME, directed by Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell from Bell’s screenplay, and starring Jordan Cowan and Brendan Rock. The synopsis: “When an isolated man living at the back of a desolate caravan park is visited by a desperate young woman seeking shelter from a violent storm. As the savage storm worsens, these solitary souls begin to feel threatened – but who should really be afraid?” Our review can be seen here.
Finally, Shudder has set an April 26 premiere date for INFESTED, written and directed by Sébastien Vaniček and starring Théo Christine, Sofia Lesaffre and Jérôme Niel. The synopsis: “Facing an invasion of venomous spiders, residents of a suburb building will have to find their way out to survive.” Look for more on these movies as they get closer to release!
