By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The scream streamer continues to build an impressive library of original horror fare.
Shudder has announced that it has picked up Jeremiah Kipp’s SLAPFACE and Patrick Ridremont’s THE ADVENT CALENDAR ahead of their premieres later this month at London’s FrightFest. ADVENT CALENDAR will premiere exclusively on the service in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand this coming December, with SLAPFACE set to debut in the same territories early next year. They join the recently announced acquisitions of Edoardo Vitaletti’s THE LAST THING MARY SAW and Mickey Keating’s OFFSEASON, both also set for early 2022 on Shudder.
The synopsis for SLAPFACE, which we last reported on here: “Is there a relationship more special than that of a boy and his monster? After Lucas [THE NUN’s August Maturo] and Tom [Mike Manning] lose their mother in an accident, they think they only have each other to lean on. But Lucas has become fascinated by local myths of a monster [Lukas Hassel] in the woods, reciting the rhyme that kids have been repeating for generations whenever he walks by the abandoned hospital. When bullying girls from his school dare him to go inside, the rhyme comes to life and as Lucas’ visits become more frequent, the disappearances begin. But surely the Virago witch would never hurt him? SLAPFACE won the Audience Award at the Cinequest San Jose Film Festival this year; it also stars Dan Hedaya, Libe Barer, Mirabelle Lee, Bianca D’Ambrosio and Chiara D’Ambrosio. The film was produced by Joe Benedetto, Artisha Mann Cooper and Mike Manning.”
The synopsis for THE ADVENT CALENDAR: “Eva [Eugénie Derouand], an ex-dancer, is now living in a wheelchair, unable to walk. When her friend Sophie [Honorine Magnier] gives her an old wooden antique advent calendar before Christmas, she realizes each window contains a surprise that triggers repercussions in real life. Some of them are good, but most of them are bad, really bad. Now Eva will have to choose between getting rid of the calendar or walking again–even if it causes death and destruction to everyone she holds dear around her. The film was produced by Alain Benguigui, Virginie Ogouz, Jean-Yves Roubin and Cassandre Warnauts.”
“Shudder members will have exclusive access to some of the most exciting and compelling festival films in the months ahead,” says Shudder general manager Craig Engler. “We are excited to debut Patrick Ridremont’s chilling French horror fantasy THE ADVENT CALENDAR just in time for the holidays and Jeremiah Kipp’s mysterious and eerie SLAPFACE next year. They will join American Gothic horror OFFSEASON and unique period feature THE LAST THING MARY SAW along with many other exclusive series and films to haunt and delight our members.”
