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Paranormal Slasher ‘Family Possessions’ Receives Release Date!

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The paranormal slasher Family Possessions receives a DVD and VOD release date on Tuesday, February 6th, 2018. Check out our review of the film by clicking here. For more information about the film’s release along with some kick-ass photos, see the press release below.

 

Columbia, SC – Horse Creek Productions’ feature film Family Possessions, written and directed by Tommy Faircloth and produced by Robert Zobel, will be released on DVD and VOD on Tuesday, February 6th, 2018. 4Digital Media, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, acquired the North American rights at the Cannes Film Market and the deal was negotiated by High Octane Pictures.

“Family Possessions” is the fourth feature film from Faircloth and stars Jason Vail (Gut, Dollface, Valley of the Sasquatch), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), and in his first horror film since A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge” Mark Patton.

The story revolves around a young girl named Rachael Dunn, played by Leah Wiseman (Dollface, Dismembering Christmas), who inherits her estranged grandmother’s house. Rachael and her family move into the house and soon after strange occurrences begin to happen. Rachel soon discovers that her family has been hiding a secret about her grandmother as she struggles with the decision to stay in the house. The film is inspired by actual events and was filmed in a historic mansion in Greenville, North Carolina.


Following up on his campy horror parody Dollface which was released by Breaking Glass Pictures in late 2015, Faircloth was ready to tackle a more serious horror film.

Tommy tested a lot of the elements in Family Possessions in the 2013 award-winning short, The Cabin, which was picked up for worldwide cable broadcast by cable channel ShortsTV. “I love the mix of paranormal with psychological horror with elements of 80’s slasher films”, explains Faircloth. “This film explores all those genres and I am really excited for fans of my other films to see it!”

Faircloth cast Felissa Rose as soon as the script was complete. “Felissa and I have so much fun together that casting her was a no-brainer” Faircloth explains. “I like casting people that are easy and fun to work with so besides the fact that she was in my favorite slasher film, she is just a super person and we get along great!”


Also starring in Family Possessions is Mark Patton. Patton is best known as the first “male scream queen”, starring in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Mark has also starred on Broadway with Cher and Kathy Bates in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. He also starred in the feature film version as well with Cher, which was directed by Robert Altman.

“Mark told me after we wrapped that he just felt like he shot the male version of Mean Girls” Tommy says. “Mark’s character will bring some much needed comic relief to the film and I was really happy he agreed to be in the film. I mean, he has not done a horror film since Nightmare 2, so this is a big deal for me” Faircloth finishes.

Providing the special effects make-up and creation of the “villain” in Family Possessions was special effects artist Tony Rosen. Rosen is most famous for creating the Annabelle doll used in the film The Conjuring and Annabelle, but he has worked on countless independent films as well. “There are no digital effects in the film. I definitely wanted to keep it as low-fi as possible as far as the paranormal effects went, but I wanted to make sure the kills and my villain were all practical. This is why I wanted Tony” Tommy says.


Faircloth explains, “I am really excited for people to see this movie. Each time I tackle a project it’s like a game to see what all I can do with as little money and crew as possible. This is my biggest film to date but it still feels like friends getting together to shoot a film for fun, and that feel is important to me. If it’s not fun, then I don’t want to do it. The set atmosphere can’t be toxic. Don’t get me wrong, I may still drive my crew and cast hard and we may have some extra long shooting days, but they are getting paid so I don’t feel so bad. Haha!”

Also starring in Family Possessions is Morgan Monnig, playing Sarah Dunn, who is the wife of Jason Vail’s character. Newcomer Erika Edwards stars as Rachael’s best friend Maggie. Erika also served as on-set photographer providing the photo for what turned out to be an inspiration for the poster. She also captured a lot of behind the scenes footage.

Elizabeth Mears (Dollface) plays, Tristen, a fellow mean girl with Patton’s Tyson character. Michael David Wilson plays the character of Kevin and Andrew Wicklum who appeared in “Dollface” as a young Crinoline Head, plays the younger brother to Rachael, Andy Dunn.


Family Possessions played the film festival circuit for a year during 2016/2017 winning “Best Feature Film” awards at Nightmares Film Festival, Reedy Reels Film Festival, Mad Monster Party, Austin Revolution Film Festival, and Myrtle Beach International Film Festival just to name a few.

“I was really happy with the audience reaction to the film as well as the reviews we got. This film seems to connect with a much larger audience than my previous films and I really hope it does well upon its release” Faircloth explains.

You can pre-order Family Possessions on DVD at Amazon and Walmart now or look for it on the shelves once it hits the street on 2/6/18!

To keep up with screenings of Family Possessions, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/familypossessions, Twitter @FPossessions, and online at www.horsecreekproductions.net.

 

 

Family Possessions Behind The Scenes Gallery 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-About The Author-

Ryan T. Cusick is a writer for ihorror.com and very much enjoys conversation and writing about anything within the horror genre. Horror first sparked his interest after watching the original, The Amityville Horror when he was the tender age of three. Ryan lives in California with his wife and twelve-year-old daughter, who is also expressing interest in the horror genre. Ryan recently received his Master’s Degree in Psychology and has aspirations to write a novel. Ryan can be followed on Twitter @Nytmare112

 

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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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