By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Two acting greats engage in a frightening war of wills.
Shudder has announced its acquisition of THE RULE OF JENNY PEN, which world-premieres at Fantastic Fest this month, and which the streamer will debut in North America, the UK and Ireland in 2025. Directed by James Ashcroft (COMING HOME IN THE DARK) from a script he wrote with Eli Kent, it stars John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, Nathaniel Lees, Thomas Sainsbury, Maaka Pohatu, Ian Mune, Irene Wood and Bruce Phillips. The synopsis: “THE RULE OF JENNY PEN follows arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen [Rush], who 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.”
“Working with two of my acting heroes, Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ashcroft says. “Partnering with Shudder and opening Fantastic Fest 2024 is just the stick of cinematic dynamite with which I wanted to launch this film into the world. It’s humbling to be part of a festival whose legacy of premieres include THERE WILL BE BLOOD, ANTICHRIST and SMILE, and I cannot wait to share the incredible work of our cast and crew with their audiences. Shudder has always been groundbreaking in genre cinema, passionately committed to the vision of the filmmaker; I can think of no better home for THE RULE OF JENNY PEN.”
“We have been fans of James Ashcroft since his chilling debut COMING HOME IN THE DARK premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, showcasing his undeniable talent,” says Shudder’s Emily Gotto. “His sharp eye for deeply observed characters and tragic circumstances explores the darkest corners of humanity with visceral thrills, and coupled with unforgettable performances from John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush, THE RULE OF JENNY PEN is a film that will linger with you long after viewing.”
