News

Horror Pride Month: Joshua Conkel in the Writer’s Room of New “Sabrina” Series

Published

6 years ago

June 27, 2018

Joshua Conkel is a man who loves his job. An accomplished playwright already, Conkel was excited to find himself on the writing staff for Netflix’s dark new adaptation of “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina“.

An offshoot of Archie Comics, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina began as a comic book offshoot to the classic series of comics and the new show technically takes place in the same universe as the CW’s “Riverdale”.

While there are few details available about the series, we do know that it will center on Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch half-human, who, approaching her 16th birthday must choose the path that she’ll follow.

A lifelong fan of horror, Conkel says it all began with final girls with him and working on the new series has been a dream.

“As an effeminate gay kid, final girls in horror movies were kind of like my avatars,” he said. “They survived these harrowing experiences and I could relate to that. In a way, I’m carrying on the tradition of writers like Tennessee Williams. All of his female characters stood in for the gay experience and for me, it was Laurie Strode and Nancy.”

Conkel says he could not have picked a better job for himself.

“It’s like a nine to five job, but it’s the coolest nine to five job ever,” the writer said. “It’s hardly ever an eight hour day because we share offices with Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] who’s also the show runner for ‘Riverdale’ so we end up sharing our days in the room with them.”

So, how does a playwright from the East Coast end up on the West Coast writing for Netflix?

“There are a lot of playwrights working in television in LA right now,” Conkel says. “I really think that’s why television has gotten so good. Theater focuses so much on character building and that works really well for television.”

It’s also one of the most diverse groups of people he’s had the opportunity to work with, including members from every part of the LGBTQ community, and he adds that viewers can expect the same from the series with queer characters from across the identity spectrum.

Just as important, though, is the fact that the staff is full of horror fans.

“Everyone in the room is super well-versed in horror. I don’t think I’ve ever had that experience before,” Conkel pointed out. “A lot of my friends don’t like horror movies, and it’s so cool to be able to drop a Nightmare on Elm Street 4 reference in the room and everyone gets it.”

With everything under way, the writers continue working on the series even as the first season is filming, and Conkel says that everyone is excited to see who the audience will ending up being for the series which was given a two season order from Netflix.

“On the one hand, it’s a teen soap opera like ‘Riverdale’ and on the other it’s a real horror show,” the writer said. “It’s very violent and it’s very scary and that’s definitely not for everybody. So many people loved ‘True Blood’ or ‘The Walking Dead’ but this mix is definitely going to make things interesting.”

We here at iHorror are certainly anticipating the series’ arrival and like Joshua Conkel, we can’t wait to watch “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” cast its spell.

Editor’s Note: Conkel’s horror screenplay Cold Spell was optioned this week by Scream scribe Kevin Williamson and Miramax!

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Spirit Halloween (@spirithalloween)

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.