By MICHAEL GINGOLD
A trio of independent horror films have released previews today, with posters and release info for two of them.
• Paging Stephen King? Gravitas Ventures will release MISTER SLEEP (pictured above) on VOD and digital platforms April 2. Directed by Rob Hollocks and written by Hollocks and Amy Rhineheart Bailey, it stars Claire Marie Lubeck, Alec James, Kate Dailey, Austin Rhodes, Bronsonn Taylor, Anna Borchet and Ashley Terpstra. The synopsis: “A deranged serial killer called Mister Sleep survives prison execution and is reborn as a terrifying and unstoppable force of nature who unleashes savage and bloody revenge on a group of insomnia patients participating in a new drug trial–a group who he believes have stolen his memories. His relentless thirst for revenge sets him on a collision course with the man who sent him to death row and his young daughter, who is part of the group testing the new medication.”
• Dark Sky Films has announced a VOD/digital release date of April 2 for the found-footage fright film THE GLENARMA TAPES. The British production was directed by Tony Devlin from a script he wrote with Paul Kennedy, and the cast is headed by Warren McCook, Sophie Hill, Ryan Early and Emily Lamey. The synopsis: “THE GLENARMA TAPES tells the story of teenager Gordy and his best friend Jimmy attempting to make the best film ever by following a day in the life of Gordy. Just an average day where Gordy tends to his little sister, goes to college, helps his Mum, pines over a potential girlfriend and smokes a pack of cigarettes… Not very exciting, until they overhear their annoying teachers plotting a wild weekend in the forest. Perfect timing for the boys to have an adventure of their own…by following them! Throw in Gordy’s love interest, the smart and streetwise Eleanor and her no-nonsense friend Clare and we have our Fab Four!
“Off they set on a rickety old bus to the village of Glenarma, over 60 miles away from home. But what does every great adventure need? Supplies! Upon reaching the one-horse town and finding a dilapidated gas station, the gang encounter the strange yet articulate local shopkeeper Eugene Donnelly. Eugene proceeds to inform the young students of the tale of ‘Harry Half-a-Head’–setting the scene for the unknown territory that lies ahead. With their bags full, the gang make the four-mile trek to the forest with the help of some ‘borrowed’ wheels. A chase ensues but Gordy and his friends reach the gates of the Glenarma Forest safely…only to find the place is closed up. After a brief discussion on what to do next, the sound of an approaching vehicle nails the evening plans down. Taking cover, the students observe their teachers, Mallon and Holmes, exit the unmarked car and make their way into the forest. Showtime!
“Equipped with infra-red head cams, the youngsters follow the faculty members into the forest but soon lose sight of them. Darkness is coming and temperatures drop. Supplies are low and Gordy’s cigarette lighter is of no help when attempting to create a fire. Time to go home, they decide. Catching your teachers having an affair on camera is no longer as appealing as they once believed. However, when they begin to retrace their steps back through the forest, they uncover their teachers’ campsite and discover their educators are involved in a ritual sacrifice with a number of other people. When The Huntsmaster initiates the hunt, the gang are discovered and must make it out of the forest alive before their teachers track them down and silence them forever…
“Fast forward two years later, and footage detailing their movements on the day they disappeared is uncovered during a police operation outside Belfast. With Detective Todd in charge, the case begins to unravel, lives are changed, there is a shocking discovery and we learn the truth of what occurred that fateful night through THE GLENARMA TAPES.”
• Alex Gruenenfelder’s Horror Boy Productions has revealed the first teaser for the BDSM-infused fright film LITTLE PET. Gruenenfelder, who graduated from UC San Diego at age 19 and ran for mayor of Los Angeles at 20, previously made the award-winning short THE SAGA OF PSYCHO GIRL and began writing LITTLE PET at 17. Now just 22, he self-financed the movie by working as a stilt walker at Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. Vivian Tran, John Lauri, Brittany Joyal, Mason Greenberg, Alana Dietze, Mykall Davis, Jay Sosnicki, and Chaney Belle star; the synopsis: “In LITTLE PET, animal shelter volunteer Linda [Tran] grapples with her subservient existence until a mysterious dog bite shatters her reality, leading her on a provocative quest for empowerment. Set against the backdrop of the Los Angeles kink scene, Linda’s journey unfolds with jaw-dropping visuals and heart-pounding intensity.”
