If you’re reading this, then it’s pretty much a given that you’re more than familiar with Simon Barrett, the screenwriting mind behind some of the most revered genre films of the past decade such as A Horrible Way to Die, You’re Next and The Guest.
This year will mark the release of his feature-length directorial debut, SEANCE – which he also wrote – with RLJE and Shudder having acquired the North American rights.
Starring Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation), Madisen Beaty (Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood), Ella-Rae Smith (Hobbs & Shaw), Inanna Sarkis (Boo 2! A Madea Halloween), Seamus Patterson (“Channel Zero”) and Marina Stephenson-Kerr (“Channel Zero”), SEANCE follows Camille Meadows (Waterhouse), a new girl at the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls. Shortly after enrolling, six girls invite her to join them in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. But before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened.
Elated with the news, Barrett said, “I’m thrilled that SEANCE has found a home with RLJE Films and Shudder, who are at the vanguard of releasing unique and original genre films. Both companies clearly respect and understand horror fans, for whom SEANCE was made.”
“We’re so excited to finally be working with the amazingly talented writer and director of SEANCE, Simon Barrett,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer at RLJE Films. “Following the ever growing success of his previous work on You’re Next and The Guest, we can’t wait to share SEANCE with audiences.”
“The Shudder team are big fans of Simon Barrett’s work as a screenwriter, so we leapt at the chance to be the streaming home for his directorial debut,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager. “We know our members will be chilled and delighted by what Barrett has crafted with SEANCE.”
And even better still is the fact that we won’t have to wait too long to see this as RLJE Films plans to release it in theatres, On Demand and Digital this May 21, 2021 whilst Shudder will premiere the film on its platform later in the year. Shudder has also acquired UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand rights.
Given the film’s imminent release, a trailer will surely drop any time soon so keep watching this space for further details…
Words: Howard Gorman
