The “deeply experimental” horror feature is currently in postproduction.
Director/star Daniel John Kearney gave us the first look at the teaser trailer for THE ITINERANT, the psychological shocker we first reported on here. Kearney also wrote and produced the movie with BJ Mezek, and the duo are also executive producers with Gareth “Slasher Trash” Morgan. Mezek co-stars along with Jeremy Hirsch, Chandra Rawlings, Scott Ward, Christopher Robin Koch, Daniel Simpson, Eleni Lucas and Hannah Fierman (V/H/S, BYSTANDERS). The synopsis: “The story involves an eccentric man, Dean Montgomery, who is lost in time and reintroduced into a community he was taken from 30 years prior. Whether from nurture or nature, this causes a desperately dark and disturbing descent into madness that leaves no stone unturned.”
“This character and the subject matter are truly disturbing,” Kearney promises. “I did all I could to evoke a bizarre and emotional response to Dean Montgomery. The film is rooted in the slasher genre, but is very different—one of those special spectacles that you can’t put your finger on. I think audiences will leave with conflicting emotions about what they saw, wondering whether they should feel hate, have empathy or love the lost soul that is Dean Montgomery.
“I lived this character,” he continues. “I isolated myself, I lost 30 pounds to portray this frail man-child who is a product of abuse, manipulation and implied deeply disturbing events in his life. I put myself in such a state that I often found myself with tears rolling down my face without even knowing it. My incredible team allowed me to have the safe space I needed; it was essential, and they delivered. I could never have done it without them. Writing, producing, directing and co-starring in this feature was the most deeply challenging but rewarding artistic venture I’ve ever embarked upon.” Kearney expects to have THE ITINERANT completed by mid-2027.
