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Stars: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Alexander, James Dodd, Seth MacFarlane, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt | Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro

In ten years time everyone is going to be saying “The Marvel films were actually quite rubbish, for the most part, weren’t they?”. This is because, they are. I enjoyed the odd one here and there (Guardians of the Galaxy) but for the most part, they are bad films. The Avengers have taken the traditionally accepted plot and story arc conventions of film making and torn them up. Why have Oreos when we can have double stuffed. Why have double stuffed when we can have quadruple stuffed? Those dark biscuit bits are unnecessary, just squirt the white cream into my mouth for over 3 hours while I gurgle with something that might be pleasure but isn’t.

Don’t get me started on the time travel.

Next month Game of Thrones and Hannibal director Niel Marshall will unleash his new version of Mike Mignola's classic character Hellboy onto the masses in a theater near you and on your local IMAX screens. This new version of the Big Red One with the Right Hand of Doom is played by David Harbour - or as he's better known around these parts, Sheriff Jim Hopper from Netflix and The Duffer Brothers' hit series Stranger Things - and Milla Jovovich will join him as the film's villain, Nimue, the Blood Queen. This new big-budget, R-rated film hasn't even opened in a theater near you yet, and already it seems that the powers that be behind the scenes are planning for potential sequels. At least in a very "vague sense." To be a bit more specific, producer Lloyd Levin says:

"Not in a No. 2 will be this and No. 3 will be that,...

Shudder will take viewers to the place that's "not as brightly lit" this Halloween season, as the 1980s anthology series Tales From the Darkside will be available to watch in its entirety on the horror streaming service beginning October 1st:

Press Release: New York, New York – September 26, 2016 – The AMC-backed streaming service, Shudder, is The entertainment destination for everything you need to watch this Halloween season. Whether you’re a hardcore horror fan or simply looking for the scariest films to celebrate this time of year, Shudder has something for everyone in its sweeping library, carefully curated by some of the top horror experts in the world.

As Halloween approaches, Shudder is expanding its database with a variety of new titles including cult favorites, blockbuster hits, and classic thrillers. Additionally, for the first time ever, Shudder will be offering horror TV series to complement its expansive film library.

Premiering October 20th...

Stars: Anna Walton, Naomi Battrick, Sam Hazeldine, Patrick Gibson, Minnie Phipps | Written by Brendan McCarthy | Directed by David Keating

Faith’s world is turned upside down when she finds out her father is dying. When the mysteriously alluring Sissy Young becomes her field hockey coach, Faith finds a compassionate spirit and much-needed mother figure. Little does she know that Sissy is the head of a centuries-old witches’ coven using the fruit of an ancient cherry tree in a secret ritual that restores life. And soon Sissy has enticed Faith into making a fateful bargain that is about to change everything…

Cherry Tree feels very much like a jumble of ideas, as if someone sat down and thought about what they wanted to see in a horror film or what would make “interesting” visuals and then tried to string them together with the flimsiest of plots. And the visuals are definitely...

Desperate to save her ailing father, a young woman turns to the world of witchcraft for help in David Keating’s Cherry Tree. If you haven’t yet seen the coven-centric horror film, Dark Sky Films has announced a spring release for Cherry Tree on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.

Currently available on VOD, Cherry Tree will also come out on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on April 5th from Dark Sky Films:

Press Release: Evil takes root in the most unexpected place in Cherry Tree, an original and deeply disturbing film about a desperate young woman drawn into a world of horror from which there may be no escape. From the director of the acclaimed Wake Wood, the film comes to Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on April 5, 2016.

Faith’s (Naomi Battrick, Crossing Lines, Stonemouth) world is turned upside down after she finds out that her beloved father is dying.

Exclusive clip from David Keating’s Cherry Tree. Opening today in select theaters and VOD is director David Keating’s bloody, weird killer witch flick Cherry Tree, starring Soulmate’s Anna Walton. The movie channels the eerie folk horror vibe of Keating’s previous picture, the atmospheric, disturbing and similarily-focused-on-necromancy film Wakewood, but amps up the action, sex and…

The post Exclusive Clip: David Keating’s Sexy Witch Flick Cherry Tree appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Witchcraft captures an obscure subgenre of horror that’s rarely represented through similar methods (look at such varying titles as All Cheerleaders Die/The Witch/Lords Of Salem). Halloween imagery always includes green-faced, cackling witches, broomsticks and all, but films tend to focus more on their cultish behavior.

Ireland’s latest genre effort, Cherry Tree, is another such film about dark magic and satanic worship, yet even with Clive-Barker-inspired visuals, these deceiving looks are hollow to the core. It’s as terrifying as something like The Moth Diaries or Embrace Of The Vampire, which of course means there’s no terror at all – just centipedes, witches, and a fixation on cherries that’ll have your empty tummy rumbling in dissatisfaction.

Naomi Battrick stars as Faith, a misunderstood loner who struggles with her social status. Matters only worsen when she learns that her already ailing father, Sean (Sam Hazeldine), has received...

Desperate to save her ailing dad, a young woman turns to the world of witchcraft for help in David Keating's Cherry Tree, a new horror film hitting theaters and VOD early next year from Dark Sky Films.

Cherry Tree hits theaters and arrives on VOD on January 8th from Dark Sky Films. In addition to a new Cherry Tree poster, we have the movie's official synopsis and teaser trailer (from its appearance at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival).

Synopsis: "A young woman makes a fateful pact with a witches' coven that can save her dying father's life.

Faith's world is turned upside down after she finds out that her beloved father is dying. When the mysteriously alluring Sissy Young becomes her new hockey coach, Faith has no idea that Sissy is the head of a witches' coven that has resided in her home town of Orchard for centuries.

To celebrate the October 16th release of the horror anthology Tales of Halloween, Daily Dead spoke to the filmmakers behind the movie to discuss the project, their individual contributions and more.

First up is Axelle Carolyn, the writer and director of 2013’s Soulmate, who first spearheaded the anthology and whose creepy, atmospheric segment “Grimm Grinning Ghost” stars Alex Essoe (Starry Eyes) as a young woman confronted by an urban legend in which she does not believe.

As one of the masterminds behind Tales of Halloween, can you give some background on how the project came together?

Axelle Carolyn: I’ve been friends with these guys for the best part of ten years, and had been thinking for a while that it'd be great to work on something together. There's an awesome horror community in L.A., and we all hang together to talk horror, watch horror, eat, breathe and live horror.

Stars: Anna Walton, Naomi Battrick, Sam Hazeldine, Patrick Gibson, Minnie Phipps | Written by Brendan McCarthy | Directed by David Keating

Faith’s world is turned upside down when she finds out her father is dying. When the mysteriously alluring Sissy Young becomes her field hockey coach, Faith finds a compassionate spirit and much-needed mother figure. Little does she know that Sissy is the head of a centuries-old witches’ coven using the fruit of an ancient cherry tree in a secret ritual that restores life. And soon Sissy has enticed Faith into making a fateful bargain that is about to change everything…

Cherry Tree feels very much like a jumble of ideas, as if someone sat down and thought about what they wanted to see in a horror film or what would make “interesting” visuals and then tried to string them together with the flimsiest of plots. And the visuals are definitely...

A witchy trailer for Cherry Tree has debuted. This film had a recent showing at Fantasia and the film will show at Film4Frightfest, in London. Th film stars Anna Walton (Mutant Chronicles), Sam Hazeldine (The Monuments Men), Naomi Battrick and Patrick Gibson. And, the first clip is full of Pagan imagery and motifs; the teaser trailer beckons you below. The film focuses on a witches' coven. Faith (Battrick) is drawn to them, after the death of her father. However, the coven wants something from Faith, her baby! This baby, borne of fire, threatens humanity and Faith just wants to escape their devilish clutches. This film was shot in Ireland, by an Irish director, David Keating (Wake Wood). The film was funded by the Irish Film Board. Also, the film looks influenced by ancient Pagan myths as seen in the very root-like settings and flowing costumes. The Celts live again in film,...

What do Barbara Crampton, Rick Wakeman, James Cosmo, Toyah Willcox, Neil Marshall and Bernard Rose have in common? They’re all set to make an appearance at this years London Film4 Frightfest!

Scream Queen legend Barbara Crampton (pictured above) is Film4 FrightFest’s special guest icon, appearing in no less than four films in this year’s line-up. She stars in We Are Still Here, Road Games and Sun Choke plus makes a cameo appearance in Tales of Halloween. Not only will Barbara be introducing all her films, she’ll also be talking about her amazing career during a special interview event, hosted by Alan Jones, on Sun 30th August at 9.15pm.

Says the legend herself:

To say that I am overjoyed, excited and eager to attend FrightFest as a guest is putting it mildly. This festival has been on my radar for some time and to be included and...

Raven Banner has acquired worldwide rights to El Gigante, a film about one Luchador you don't want to mess with. A new Queen of Earth trailer and the guest list for Film4 FrightFest 2015 are also featured in this morning's round-up.

El Gigante: Press Release: "Raven Banner has boarded Luchagore Productions, El Gigante, directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero for worldwide rights, which was featured in the current edition of The Frontieres International Co-Production Market. They will also serve as Executive Producers.

The film tells the story of a deranged maniac in a Luchador mask named El Gigante who wrestles his prey to the mat in a grisly entertainment ritual of thrill-packed culinary prep for his cannibalistic family.

The deal was negotiated by Luchagore's Raynor Shima and Raven Banner's James Fler and Michael Paszt.

"The team of Gigi, Raynor, and Luke at Luchagore is one of the most exciting new genre...

There are two ways to get this Ambush Predator figure created by Neca without being at this year's Comic-Con. More details on that story as well as details on Film4 FrightFest 2015 and a trailer from the thriller Psychophonia in this round-up.

Ambush Predator Figure: Neca reports that "This summer we have six awesome convention exclusives (one of which has a Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive variant) — and because the quantities are lower than in previous years, they’re even more exclusive than before! However, there are Two ways to procure one During Comic-Con Without Going To Comic-Con if you’re ready for a little excitement, that is!

1. In Store: From July 9th through 12th, we’ll seed a very small number of each in random Toys ‘R’ Us and Hastings stores all across the U.S. Which ones? That would ruin all the fun.

2. Online Flash Sale: During the show (exact...

The 16th edition of Film4 FrightFest kicks off in skin-crawling fashion with the European premiere of David Keating’s blood-freezing rural nightmare Cherry Tree, starring Anna Walton (Hellboy 2, Soulmate) and rising star Naomi Battrick (Down Dog, Waterloo Road)

Keating, who directed the acclaimed Wake Wood for the revamped Hammer label, offers another provocative and compelling twist on the pagan cult chiller, in which a young girl, Faith (Naomi Battrick), in an attempt to save her father’s life, makes a fateful pact with Sissy Young (Anna Walton) head of a sinister black magic coven. FrightFest’s first Irish event-opener, Cherry Tree, is a Fantastic Films & House of Netherhorror Production, produced by John McDonnell & Brendan McCarthy.

Closing Film4 FrightFest is the European premiere of the stunning anthology Tales of Halloween, a celebration of the spooky October holiday. Ten tales of terror unfold in a sleepy American suburb on All Hallows Eve as ghouls,...

Both films to receive their European premieres at this year’s 16th edition; FrightFest co-director Alan Jones reflects on the festival’s first year at the Vue and what’s to come.

Cherry Tree will receive its European premiere as the opening film of this year’s Film4 FrightFest, taking place at the Vue in Leicester Square.

Directed by Wake Wood’s David Keating, Cherry Tree follows a young girl who, in order to save her father’s life, makes a pact with the head of a sinister black magic coven. The film stars Anna Walton and Naomi Battrick, and is produced by John McDonnell and Brendan McCarthy.

It marks the first time ever that FrightFest has opened with an Irish production.

This year’s festival will close with the European premiere of anthology Tales of Halloween, created by Axelle Carolyn and produced by Carolyn, Patrick Ewald, Shaked Berenson and Mike Mendez.

Directed by the...

Cherry Tree

With just two months to go until this year's Film4 Frightfest, David Keating’s Cherry Tree has been revealed as the opening film. It stars Naomi Battrick as a girl determined to save her father's life who makes a sinister pact with the head of a black magic coven (Anna Walton). It sees Keating reunited with Wake Wood scribe Brendan McCarthy.

"We have never opened with an Irish production before," said festival director Alan Jones. "So we figured it was about time to put a sharp focus on all the sterling work the Irish Film Board has done to promote the genre... Cherry Tree follows in their fine tradition offering storytelling excellence, great production values and terrific casting."

The closing film at the festival will be Tales Of Halloween, an anthology of creepy shorts helmed by Neil Marshall (The Descent), Darren Lynn Bousman (The Barrens), Axelle Carolyn (Soulmate), Adam Gierasch.

Recently, CW served up the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Reign" episode 12 of season 2. The episode is entitled, "Banished," and turns out that we're going to see the dramatics get pushed to a whole new level when Claude attempts to expose who the real killer of the twins is while Francis and Conde start up an intense rivalry with each other , and more! In the new, 12th episode press release: "Mary (Adelaide Kane) will find out the truth from Greer (Celina Sinden) about rumors going around Court, forcing Mary to do something she never thought possible. Francis (Toby Regbo) is going to find himself in a growing rivalry with Condé (Sean Teale) for Mary. Bash's (Torrance Coombs) mother Diane (guest star Anna Walton) will return, igniting a long, overdue confrontation with Catherine (Megan Follows), while Claude (Rose Williams) will be determined to find out the truth about who really killed the twins.

"Banished" -- Mary (Adelaide Kane) finds out the truth from Greer (Celina Sinden) about rumors going around Court, forcing Mary to do something she never thought possible. Francis (Toby Regbo) finds himself in a growing rivalry with Cond? (Sean Teale) for Mary. Bash's (Torrance Coombs) mother Diane (guest star Anna Walton) returns, igniting a long overdue confrontation with Catherine (Megan Follows), while Claude (Rose Williams) is determined to find out the truth about who really killed the twins. Craig Parker, Caitlin Stasey, Jonathan Keltz and Anna Popplewell also star. Larysa Kondracki directed the episode written by Chelsey Lora.

"Banished" to air January 29 at 9pm on The CW.

Death is one of the few inevitabilities that we as human beings have trouble dealing with. The idea that we must be alone is one that can force us into impossible situations. The idea of being alone after death is what drives Axelle Carolyn's Soulmate at it's core.

Audrey (Anna Walton) loses her husband in an auto accident. Feeling the wait of her loss, she dresses up, runs a bath, and slices her wrists. There is a knock at the door so she submerges herself underwater to wait for death, but death does not come for her...life does.

The post Review: Soulmate Captures The Loneliness of Love and Death appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

We’re back with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes new details on Found Footage 3D and Mania, photos from Refuge and a poster from Fetish Factory, release dates announced for Skypemare, Soulmate, and The Inside, a trailer for When Black Birds Fly and Zombie Hood, and more:

New Details on Found Footage 3D: “…the producers of upcoming horror film Found Footage 3D announced the launch of their Indiegogo campaign to obtain additional funding for post-production and marketing expenses.

Produced by Kim Henkel, co-creator of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Found Footage 3D tells the story of a group of filmmakers who set out to make “the first 3D found-footage horror film,” but find themselves in a found-footage horror film when the evil entity from their movie escapes into their behind-the-scenes footage.

“What Scream did for slasher films,...

Ever since Axelle Carolyn's feature debut Soulmate hit DVD over in the UK, we've been anxiously awaiting word about a release date here in the States. Such an announcement is surely coming soon as we've just learned that Revolver Entertainment has scooped up the supernatural thriller...

... and will be releasing it sometime in the remainder of 2014. While we wait for a date with our Soulmate, check out the UK trailer and uncut opening scene below!

The film stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale), and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) and was penned by Carolyn, who has acted in Neil Marshall’s Centurion and Doomsday.

Soulmate is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers, Centurion) presentation for production company Sterling Pictures. Executive producers on the film are Michael Riley, John Wolstenholme, and Doug Abbott for Screen Projex alongside Belgian co-producer Title Media.

Here's one more I should be adding to our massive 2014 Halloween Horror Movie Guide. Screen Daily says Revolver Entertainment has acquired Soulmate, the feature directorial debut of Axelle Carolyn.

In the film, recently widowed Audrey (Anna Walton) moves to the countryside in a bid to get her life back on track.

When she realizes the cottage she's renting is haunted, she decides to stay and strikes up an odd relationship with the ghost (Tom Wisdom).

The post Soulmate is Due to Arrive This Halloween Season appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Revolver Entertainment USA has acquired North America to Genesis Film Sales thriller Soulmate, due for a Halloween release.

British psychological thriller Soulmate stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale) and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers).

The story centres on a young widow (Walton) who retreats to an isolated cabin after a failed suicide attempt, to recuperate. Still haunted by the tragic death of her husband and struggling with her psychosis, she begins to hear strange noises.

Writer-director Axelle Carolyn’s feature debut is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers) presentation for Sterling Pictures.

Executive producers are Michael Riley, Giles Daoust, John Wolstenholme and Doug Abbott for Screen Projex, alongside Belgian co-producer Title Media.

Cherry Tree is another film coming this way via Ireland. Irish director David Keating is helming this feature, along with writer Brendan McCarthy. The film begins with a struggling family and a witches' coven. The film stars Anna Walton (Mutant Chronicles), Sam Hazeldine (The Monuments Men), Naomi Battrick and Patrick Gibson. The film's first poster is here. At the heart of the film grows a cherry tree. This cherry tree can help Faith's (Battrick) father, who is slowly dying. The tree's powers promise rebirth, but Faith must make a sacrifice, first. The film's poster shows a witch's gnarled hand and fruit from the tree. Reminiscent of an ancient biblical tale, evil tempts a young woman to eat from a forbidden tree. From the creators of Wake Wood, Cherry Tree will be released later this year! Release Date: 2014. Director: David Keating. Writer: Brendan McCarthy. Cast: Anna Walton, Sam Hazeldine, Naomi Battrick and Patrick Gibson.

So British censors have deemed the opening of Axelle Carolyn's Soulmate too nasty for public consumption. Well, here in the States we like nasty. We like it a lot. Check out the uncut opening right here.

Soulmate is currently available on DVD over in the UK with no Stateside release yet announced.

The supernatural thriller stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale), and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) and was penned by Carolyn, who has acted in Neil Marshall’s Centurion and Doomsday.

Synopsis:

Soulmate follows a young woman who retreats to a remote cottage after a failed suicide attempt. She soon discovers the cottage is haunted by its previous owner but decides to remain, hoping to find comfort in the ghost.

The film is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers, Centurion) presentation for production company Sterling Pictures.

Axelle Carolyn made her feature directorial debut last year with Soulmate, bowing on the festival circuit and getting a welcome reception at its UK premiere at Film4 FrightFest’s October event.

Before the BBFC were willing to give the film a rating for its DVD release this summer, though, they demanded a number of cuts be made, the most notable of which was the opening scene, in which Anna Walton’s leading character, Audrey, attempts to commit suicide.

Fortunately for us, Carolyn has taken to Twitter to share that opening scene, and it just goes to show how bewildering a case this really is.

Back in June, Carolyn revealed that the ratings board had demanded four long cuts be made for the film to get an 18 certificate here in the UK. Soda Pictures had been scheduling the film for release on July 21st, but that ultimately got pushed back to August 11th,...

Take a look at the UK trailer for Soulmate, the feature debut from Axelle Carolyn. The film recently played at the Etheria Film Festival here in Los Angeles; it's now available on DVD overseas. No word yet on domestic distribution, but we'll let you know when it lands in the States.

Soulmate stars Anna Walton, Tom Wisdom, Tanya Myers and Nick Brimble.

Synopsis: Recently widowed Audrey moves to the countryside in a bid to get her life back on track. When she realizes the cottage she's renting is haunted, she decides to stay and strikes up an odd relationship with the ghost.

The post Here’s the UK Trailer for Axelle Carolyn’s Soulmate appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Here at Dread we couldn't possibly be any prouder of Axelle Carolyn, who is an alum of this very website. She makes her feature debut with the ghost story Soulmate, and on tap for you today is the UK trailer for the flick. Show your support by checking it out!

Soulmate is currently available on DVD over in the UK with no Stateside release yet announced.

The supernatural thriller stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale), and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) and was penned by Carolyn, who has acted in Neil Marshall’s Centurion and Doomsday.

Synopsis:

Soulmate follows a young woman who retreats to a remote cottage after a failed suicide attempt. She soon discovers the cottage is haunted by its previous owner but decides to remain, hoping to find comfort in the ghost.

The film is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent,...

Stars: Anna Walton, Tom Wisdom, Tanya Myers, Nick Brimble, Emma Cleasby | Written and Directed by Axelle Carolyn

[Note: This review is of the full Uncut version of Soulmate shown at last years Frightfest Halloween All-Nighter, which is not the version being released on DVD. The BBFC requested cuts to the opening suicide scene due to "imitable technique" and so director Axelle Carolyn excised the entire scene from the home entertainment release - hopefully that scene will be made available online at some point]

Actress Axelle Carolyn first turned her hand to directing with the well-received short The Last Post in 2011, she followed it up with the short The Halloween Kid, which screened as part of the International Short Film Showcase at Film4 Frightfest in August 2012. Soulmate, her feature directorial debut, stars Anna Walton (who previously worked with Carolyn on The Halloween Kid and will be a familiar face in to genre fans, having appeared in Hellboy 2 in 2008 and The Seasoning House in 2012) and sees a woman, Audrey, retreat to a remote country cottage after attempting to commit suicide due to the sudden death of her husband. But once settled in she soon discovers her safe haven is haunted by its previous owner, and this spirit has some startling links to the nearby local community, especially the strange Zellaby family.

Etheria Film Night is a one-night event showcase of the best new horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, and thriller films from emerging female directors, headed by the tireless trio of Heidi Honeycutt, Stacy Hammon, and Kayley Viteo.

Several fun events led up to the festival – including the "Dress My Mess" shopping extravaganza sponsored by local vintage clothing stores and a fabulous dinner for the filmmakers and festival peeps hosted by Mo Fitzgibbon.

When the big day finally arrived on Saturday, July 12, 2014, everyone was primed to check out Axelle Carolyn’s feature film debut (and the featured selection), Soulmate, at the historic Egyptian Theatre in the heart of Hollywood, CA.

In Gothic horror tradition, the story follows an emotionally fragile, recently widowed young woman named Audrey (Anna Walton) after she moves to the countryside to pause and reflect before getting her life back on track. When she realizes the cottage she’s renting is haunted,...

On tap for you today are lots of little morsels of info regarding four upcoming horror films, so let's waste no time and jump right in, shall we?!

First up, Screen Daily reports that the horror comedy Zombeavers has been picked up for distribution in a slew of different markets, including Europe (Splendid Films), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), France (Zylo), Australia and New Zealand (Roadshow) and the Middle East (Prime Pictures).

Epic is understood to be closing a multi-territory deal with a major distributor for the UK, Scandinavia, Latin America and Eastern Europe excluding Russia and a pan-Asian pay-tv deal with a studio. Negotiations are ongoing for Russia, Taiwan and South Korea.

Jordan Rubin directed the tale of girlfriends at a lakeside getaway who get attacked by mutant rodents. Evan Astrowsky, Chris Bender, Jc Spink, Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros produced.

The site also reports that Johnny Galecki, Chloe Sevigny...

Exclusive: UK distributor nabs Neil Marshall–execed thriller.

Soda Pictures has acquired UK rights to completed Genesis Film Sales thriller Soulmate, now due for a July release.

Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale) and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) star in the story of a young widow who is disturbed by a cottage’s previous inhabitant after a failed suicide attempt.

Writer-director Axelle Carolyn’s feature debut is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers) presentation for Sterling Pictures.

Executive producers on the film are Michael Riley, Giles Daoust, John Wolstenholme and Doug Abbott for Screen Projex, alongside Belgian co-producer Title Media.

Genesis’ Cannes slate includes comedy-romance SuperBob, produced by Robert Jones, and drama Winter, executive produced by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and starring Stacy Martin in her follow-up to Nymphomaniac.

A week ago, Shock was the first to bring you more details about Cherry Tree, the latest production from Dark Sky Films. Written by Brendan McCarthy, we revealed the film was a tale of witchcraft. That's your first look at the film you see here. Anna Walton (Hellboy II, Soulmate), Naomi Battrick and Sam Hazeldine (Resurrection) star. Wake Wood's David Keating directs.

The post First Photo Plucked from Dark Sky’s Cherry Tree appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

After a couple of years of silence things are moving quickly on the new film from Wake Wood director David Keating entitled Cherry Tree. Read on for a look at the first still from the flick!

A joint venture between Dark Sky Films and Ireland's Fantastic Films, Keating's next is a supernatural thriller written by Brendan McCarthy, and it's been described as a companion piece to the excellent Wake Wood.

In the film a young woman makes a fateful pact with a witches' coven that can save her father's dying life.

Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Naomi Battrick, and Sam Hazeldine ("Resurrection") star.

We'll have more on this one as it becomes available so stay tuned!

Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!

Got news? Click here to submit it!

Subscribe to the Dread Central YouTube Channel!

Get planted in the comments section below.

Exclusive: Mpi is bringing Us-Ireland horror Cherry Tree starring Anna Walton, Naomi Battrick and Sam Hazeldine to the Croisette.

Mpi/Dark Sky Films recently concluded principal photography in Cork on Cherry Tree, produced in partnership with Ireland’s Fantastic Films and the Irish Film Board.

David Keating directs the story of a youngster who makes a deal with the leader of a witches’ coven to save her father from a seemingly terminal illness.

Dark Sky Films’ most recent productions include Starry Eyes, Late Phases and the upcoming We Are Still Here.

Dublin’s Fantastic Films has produced genre films such as Hammer Films’ Wake Wood, which Keating also directed, and Stitches.

It was announced a couple years back that Wake Wood director David Keating was working on a horror flick called Cherry Tree, though details about the project were scant. Now that the film is in post-production, we know a whole lot more about it!

A joint venture between Dark Sky Films and Ireland's Fantastic Films, Keating's next is a supernatural thriller written by Brendan McCarthy, and it's been described as a companion piece to the excellent Wake Wood.

In the film a young woman makes a fateful pact with a witches' coven that can save her father's dying life.

Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Naomi Battrick, and Sam Hazeldine ("Resurrection") star.

We'll have more on this one as it becomes available so stay tuned!

Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!

Got news? Click here to submit it!

Subscribe to the Dread Central YouTube Channel!

Get planted in the comments section below.

Directed by Axelle Carolyn, Soulmate is an atmospheric ghost story about a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown finding solace with an equally tortured spirit. The film debuted at last years Frightfest Halloween All-Nighter (review here) and with the film screening at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival this week, fan-favourite artist Graham Humphreys – artist on the iconic Evil Dead, Nightmare on Elm Street and Return of the Living Dead UK posters/VHS covers – has created a wonderfully sombre new poster for the film which captures the tone of Carolyn’s film perfectly.

In Soulmate, Anna Walton (Hellboy II) stars as the recently widowed Audrey, who moves to the countryside in a bid to get her life back on track. When she realizes the cottage she’s renting is haunted, she decides to stay and strikes up an odd relationship with the ghost…

(Source: Fangoria)...

Axelle Carolyn's debut feature Soulmate promises some classic chills, so it's fitting that this new one-sheet has employed a classic poster artist. Graham Humphreys, justly lauded for his Nightmare On Elm Street, Evil Dead and FrightFest work, has composed this beautiful old-school image for the film. The film stars Anna Walton (Hellboy II's Princess Nuala) as concert musician Audrey, who suffers a trauma and heads to a secluded spot in the Welsh mountains to heal and hide. Once there, she meets a previous resident of her rented house, Douglas (Tom Wisdom), who died some years ago but is somehow still around. "I wanted to explore the inherent melancholy of being stuck between two worlds," Carolyn told Empire on set. "Soulmate starts off as a very classical The Others sort of thing, but then goes much more into being a sort of psychological drama. I don't think it quite earns the title of horror.

We here at Dread Central are super excited about the debut feature from Axelle Carolyn, who is an alum of this very website. It's a supernatural thriller called Soulmate, and it's set to headline this year's Etheria Film Night. Read on for details!

From the Press Release

The 2014 Etheria Film Night is pleased to host the North American Premiere of writer/director Axelle Carolyn’s feature film Soulmate at the Egyptian Theatre on July 12th, 2014.

Etheria Film Night is dedicated to showcasing the best new genre films directed by women and screens only one feature-length film each year. In 2014 that film is Axelle Carolyn’s supernatural thriller Soulmate. The premiere will be followed by a red carpet cocktail reception and the official Etheria Film Night short film competition lineup (to be announced in May 2014).

Recently widowed Audrey moves to the countryside in a bid to get her life back on track.

​A pair of one-sheets to share with you before we close out the week. The first is a piece of art from the famous poster artist Graham Humphreys (who has done Evil Dead II for the UK and various other titles). He applied his talents to Soulmate, a gothic thriller that is on the way from director Axelle Carolyn. Anna Walton (Hellboy II) stars as a young woman who, following a suicide attempt, retreats to a cottage haunted by its previous owner.

The post New Posters for Soulmate and Showtime’s Penny Dreadful appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

On tap right now is some beautiful artwork for Dread Central alum and fave Axelle Carolyn's latest film, Soulmate. This artwork comes courtesy of the uber-talented Graham Humphreys (who made the well-known UK posters for Nightmare on Elm Street and Evil Dead II). Dig it!

The supernatural thriller stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale), and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) and marks the feature debut of director Axelle Carolyn, who has acted in Neil Marshall’s Centurion and Doomsday. Carolyn also penned the script.

Synopsis:

Soulmate follows a young woman who retreats to a remote cottage after a failed suicide attempt. She soon discovers the cottage is haunted by its previous owner but decides to remain, hoping to find comfort in the ghost.

The film is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers, Centurion) presentation for production company Sterling Pictures.

Review by Sam Moffitt

Some horror movies are so horrible they are tough to watch. When characters go beyond, way beyond, what most people would consider civilized behavior into the realm of headline making atrocity you want to look away. But if the film makers are sincere, if the finished film has something to say about the human condition and is not just exploitation , you end up having to watch. You owe it to yourself, again if the film is well made, to watch, just to remind yourself what inhuman monsters people can be.

In the last few years a new kind of horror movie has been coming out of Europe. Films that push the envelope in recounting the horror of human existence, of what atrocity really looks like, up close and personal. Films like Martyrs, Irreversible, High Tension and Calvaire, also A Serbian Film (although I have not gotten to see that one.

The Seasoning House has been highly anticipated by fans of British horror. It’s the directorial debut of Paul Hyett, special effects artist who has worked on such recent favorites as The Descent and Woman In Black. It has played at a variety of international festivals and advance buzz has been exciting:

“Hyett’s direction is measured, confident, and darkly poetic throughout, weaving an emotional web of tenderness amidst hopelessness and abuse. The cast are stellar …” – Dread Central

“Aggressively entertaining, a stark and ferocious new revenge thriller, both unflinching and compelling.” – Scott Weinberg, FEARnet

“… it’s stylistically bold and brutally compelling..” – Owen Williams, Empireonline.Com

Now you can own the The Seasoning House Blu-ray. Just leave a comment here naming your favorite horror movie with the word ‘House’ in the title (mine would be Last House On The Left of course). Three lucky winners will be mailed new Blu-rays of The Seasoning House.

Paul Hyett's acclaimed new shocker The Seasoning House (review) is getting set to hit home video, and we have your chance to score a copy on us!

To enter for your chance to win the film on Blu-ray, just send us an E-mail Here including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.

Acclaimed prosthetic effects designer Paul Hyett (The Woman in Black, Unknown) makes his directorial debut with the harrowing horror revenge thriller The Seasoning House, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD December 10th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The chilling film stars Rosie Day (Sixteen), Sean Pertwee (Event Horizon), Kevin Howarth (Gallowwalkers, The Last Horror Movie), and Anna Walton (Hellboy II: The Golden Army).

In The Seasoning House young girls are prostituted to the military and an orphaned deaf mute (Day) is enslaved to care for them. She moves between the walls and crawlspaces,...

Love is a wondrous state of bliss, and nothing is better than forbidden love. Classic tales of forbidden love have tantalized audiences for centuries. In Reign’s delicious modern tale of the rise of Mary, Queen of Scots, the show has embraced the idea that Mary (Adelaide Kane) may indeed be a “queen of hearts” as well. It went so far as to create the bastard brother of her fiance, aptly called Bash (Torrance Coombs), who promptly caught Mary’s eye the second she returned from her Scottish convent to the French court. But due to Mary’s station, her family and country’s expectations, and her own naïve belief that she is actually in love with her betrothed, Mary chose to ignore the her fleeting interest in Bash and focused her attention and desires on her fiancé, Prince Francis (Toby Regbo).

Yet in this week’s episode, entitled “A...

Some new sales art for the next flick from Dread Central alum and fave Axelle Carolyn, Soulmate, is here; and we have every haunting pixel of it for ya. Read on for the latest details, and look for more soon!

The supernatural thriller stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale), and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) and marks the feature debut of director Axelle Carolyn, who has acted in Neil Marshall’s Centurion and Doomsday. Carolyn also penned the script.

Synopsis:

Soulmate follows a young woman who retreats to a remote cottage after a failed suicide attempt. She soon discovers the cottage is haunted by its previous owner but decides to remain, hoping to find comfort in the ghost.

The film is produced by Claire Otway and is a Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers, Centurion) presentation for production company Sterling Pictures. Executive producers on the film are Michael Riley,...

Stars: Anna Walton, Tom Wisdom, Tanya Myers, Nick Brimble, Emma Cleasby | Written and Directed by Axelle Carolyn

Actress Axelle Carolyn first turned her hand to directing with the well-received short The Last Post in 2011, she followed it up with the short The Halloween Kid, which screened as part of the International Short Film Showcase at Film4 Frightfest in August 2012. Well now she returns to to the Frightfest fold for her first feature film Soulmate, which opened the 2013 Frightfest Halloweeen All-Nighter.

The film, which stars Anna Walton (who previously worked with Carolyn on The Halloween Kid and will be a familiar face in to genre fans, appearing in Hellboy 2 in 2008 and The Seasoning House in 2012) sees a woman, Audrey, retreat to a remote country cottage after attempting to commit suicide due to the sudden death of her husband. But once settled in she soon discovers her safe haven is haunted by its previous owner,...

Kings can command the attention and adoration of many women, and Reign’s King Henry (Alan VanSprang) is no exception. Well-known as a king who ruled with his beautiful mistress and his powerful wife by his side, King Henry still has time for the occasional dalliance. Reign offers both a look at the intertwined love lives of King Henry and his two sons, Prince Francis (Toby Regbo) and Sebastian (Torrance Coombs) and how the arrival of Mary (Adalaide Kane), Queen of Scots brings a bit more of heart-ache and political intrigue into all their lives. In a press interview from the set, star Alan VanSprang talked about the many ladies of King Henry and the complications Mary brings to the French Court.

It seems King Henry is a bit of a randy king. Is he going to put the moves on every young lady in the French court?

Alan: I...

Good things are coming up for Dread Central alum and fave Axelle Carolyn as her new project cooking Soulmate is picking up big time steam. Read on for the latest details and look for more soon!

According to Screen Daily Genesis Film Sales will commence global sales on Soulmate at this year’s American Film Market. It will follow Soulmate’s world premiere at the 46th Sitges International Film Festival this month.

The supernatural thriller stars Anna Walton (Hellboy 2), Tom Wisdom (300), Nick Brimble (A Knight’s Tale) and Emma Cleasby (Dog Soldiers) and marks the feature debut of director Axelle Carolyn, who has acted in Neil Marshall’s Centurion and Doomsday. Carolyn also penned the script.

“Soulmate follows a young woman who retreats to a remote cottage after a failed suicide attempt. She soon discovers the cottage is haunted by its previous owner but decides to remain, hoping to find comfort in the ghost.