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Erlingur Thoroddsen on Hulu and Blumhouse’s Gay Slasher ‘Midnight Kiss’

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Midnight Kiss

Midnight Kiss debuts today on Hulu as part of its Into the Dark series co-produced with Blumhouse Studios.

Written by Erlingur Thoroddsen (Rift) and directed by Carter Smith (The Ruins), this slasher film centers on a group of gay friends and their best gal pal as they get together to ring in the New Year. They have a special game they like to play called “Midnight Kiss” but this year things will take a deadly turn when a killer sets his sights on the group.

I spoke with Thoroddsen late last week. He was keen to talk about the film despite a serious case of jet-lag from traveling to Iceland to visit family for the holidays.

Erlingur Thoroddsen spoke with iHorror about the new film coming to Hulu.

The writer and director said he’d been wanting to do a gay slasher film for a while, now, so when he found out that Blumhouse was specifically interested in doing exactly that for their New Year’s episode of Into the Dark, it was music to his ears.

However, the series presented its own hurdles. With a lower, mid-range budget, and the need for a small cast and only a couple of shooting locations, a lot of the ideas Thoroddsen had toyed with in the past just would not work. He also knew from the start that the film would happen very quickly if his pitch was accepted.

In fact, he would have less than a month to write the script and have it ready for production.

“Even going into the pitch, I knew that was the reality,” Thoroddsen explained. “I went in with a very well prepared pitch. I had all the big beats of the story. I’ve never written anything this fast before, but it wasn’t a nightmare. It was exhilarating. When you don’t have time to waste, you rely on your instincts.”

Thoroddsen’s instincts led him to interesting places while writing the script. Like many slasher movies, that involved embracing certain stereotypes with the characters he was writing. The queens became more flamboyant, the language more pointed, the drug use more prevalent, and the sex scenes more gratuitous.

Still, there are kernels of truth in what he created, and he’s quick to point out that just because the characters aren’t necessarily all likable, that doesn’t mean they don’t originate from a real place.

“I’d been living in LA for a year and a half when I started writing the script,” he said. “The ‘LA gay’ is fascinating to me. The ‘pretty gays’ and the promiscuity of West Hollywood inspired me and was something I wanted to write about. Carter really got that and the cast connected to it, as well. On the one hand, I could see how people would receive that as exhibiting something negative, but if you spend any time in West Hollywood, you’re going to see these people at brunch on Sundays. It wasn’t a stretch.”

The production took the reality one step further by casting gay actors to play the gay characters in the film. It lends a certain layer of authenticity to the characters that would have been seriously lacking in the hands of straight actors who have no experience within this type group of friends.

“We had such a huge pool of actors for the auditions,” Thoroddsen said. “I think we ended up with the perfect cast. They inhabit that group so perfectly. There are so many great gay actors out there and it’s a shame they don’t get to play these kinds of roles more often.”

With the actors in place, it was time to decide on just what kind of mask their killer would be wearing. While writing the script, he said he had more of a demonic/gimp type mask in mind, but the director took it to a slightly different place.

“The pup mask came from Carter,” he said. “Once we started seeing certain versions of it, it really began to work for us. Once it is revealed who the killer is, even though there’s no BDSM scene in the movie itself, I wanted to play with the idea that he’s more of a sub in his relationship. That’s where the idea came from. He feels submissive to that person in particular but he’s acting out, dominating them, while still wearing his sub face.”

The symbolism ultimately works, adding an interesting dynamic once the killer is revealed especially when played against another murder that takes place in the film by a different character.

Their motivations could not be further apart, yet the secondary killer still manages to act superior calling the masked murder another “psychopathic bottom.”

Thoroddsen admits that he didn’t intend for a larger lesson or message to be a part of the film, but he supposed that this distillation really speaks to that in the long run.

“The one character is acting out of impulse and jealousy where the other has planned it but his motive is more intellectual. Not feeling seen within a group of marginalized people takes a toll when it’s supposed to be an accepting space,” he pointed out. “You want to be accepted but you’re not and that’s festered inside of him. In hook up culture and that promiscuous setting, I wanted to bring that aspect into what is driving him to kill. It’s almost specifically a gay male thing not that everyone participates in that kind of culture.”

As the premiere date for Midnight Kiss looms, Thoroddsen admits that he’s a bit nervous, but also excited at the prospect of the film being seen by a larger audience, and in the meantime, he’s looking ahead to other projects that he’s working on at the moment.

One of those includes the American remake of his Icelandic horror film Rift.

“Lots of cool stuff going on there that I cannot talk about,” he says, “but I’m very excited about it. Hopefully there will be something I can talk about soon with that.”

Midnight Kiss is available now on Hulu. Check out the trailer below and let us know in the comments if you’ll be watching!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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