Horror Highlights: POPEYE THE SLAYER MAN, NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE, SPITHOOD

POPEYE THE SLAYER MAN: "Popeye the Slayer Man, a new horror feature exploring an alternate backstory for the legendary sailor, will be coming early 2025.  The first trailer, stills, and teaser art have been released. 

The film concerns a group of friends who sneak into an abandoned spinach canning factory to film a documentary on the legend of the “Sailor Man,” who is said to haunt the factory and local docks.

“We can’t wait for audiences to get a load of this gory and scary version of Popeye,” says producer Jeff Miller.  “We went old-school and focused on using real practical effects, and not relying on CG for the gore.  We’re talking with very enthusiastic and interested buyers now.”

Popeye the Slayer Man stars Sean Michael Conway, Elena Juliano, Mabel Thomas, Marie-Louise Boisnier, Jeff Thomas, and Steven McCormack, along with “scream queens” Angela Relucio (“Code Black”, “The Cabining”) and Sarah Nicklin (“Nun of That”, “The Black Mass”).  Jason Stephens plays the title role. 

Robert Michael Ryan (“Ouija Witch”) directs from a screenplay by John Doolan (“Remains”).  Jeff Miller (“The Toybox”), Cuyle Carvin (“Ouija Witch”), and Ryan also contributed to the story.  Producers are -- along with Miller, Carvin, and Ryan -- Alexander Tucker, Nathan Todaro, and Alysa Blasetti.  Korey Rowe was Director of Photography.  R.J. Young supervised the special makeup FX.

The movie was filmed in New York State.

Popeye the Slayer Man is a co-production between Salem House Films, Millman Productions, Ron Lee Productions, and Otsego Media."

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NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE: "After a meteor unleashes a virus that turns zoo animals into zombies, a mountain lion (David Harbour) and wolf (Gabbi Kosmidis) lead a team of surviving animals to stop the virus and rescue their zoo."

• Directed by: Ricardo Curtis,  Rodrigo Perez-Castro
• Written by: Steven Hoban, James Kee
• Produced by: Steven Hoban, Mark Smith
• Story Inspired by: Clive Barker
• Cast: David Harbour, Scott Thompson, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Gabbi Kosmidis

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SPITHOOD: "Written and created by two First Nation Australians Travis Akbar and Thibul Nettle, SPITHOOD is the first mainstream film without any Aboriginal culture related themes or story - something that never happens in Australia. The thriller also stars three First Nation Australian actors, cowriter/lead actor Thibul Nettle, his cousin Natasha Wanganeen, and Australian and New Zealand Maori actress Luana Pohe. Also cast is popular model and influencer Claudia Bonifazio, making SPITHOOD her debut film which is now available in North America on Prime Video.

In the depths of a bleak mental institution, chaos erupts when a dangerous patient escapes confinement, triggering a night filled with terror. The night shift staff, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds, must face their deepest fears as the fugitive inmate embarks on a relentless killing spree.

With every shadow of the asylum concealing unknown horrors, the staff realizes that their survival hinges on their ability to collaborate and outsmart a cunning predator.

As the walls reverberate with cries of desperation, each moment transforms into a battle against time and madness. Trust begins to
fracture, and secrets come to light, pushing them to their limits as they navigate a twisted maze of terror. In a desperate race against death, they must confront not only the violent threat outside but also the demons lurking within themselves. Will they emerge intact, or will they succumb to the darkness of the asylum?"

Director:

Tim Pine

Writers:

Travis Akbar, Thibul Nettle, Tim Pine

Cast:

Thibul Nettle, Claudia Bonifazio, Natasha Wanganeen, and Nick Buckland

Producers:

Thibul Nettle and Tracy Romano of Firestick Films