Horror Highlights: HORROR’S NEW WAVE: 15 YEARS OF BLUMHOUSE, HONEY BUNCH, YOUR HOST, MR. WHISPERS

HORROR’S NEW WAVE: 15 Years of Blumhouse: "Celebrate legendary horror studio Blumhouse’s legacy with this lavishly illustrated visual compendium that takes you behind the scenes of the films that have reshaped the horror genre, from The Exorcist to the Paranormal Activity and Halloween franchises.

With Blumhouse celebrating its 15th anniversary throughout 2025, Horror’s New Wave captures the company’s journey to become a powerhouse in the horror and thriller film genres—taking you through the process of conception to premiere for films like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Sinister, Split, Get Out, M3GAN, now-classic franchises like The Purge, and so much more.

This definitive “Blumhouse book” delves into the behind-the-scenes processes that shaped Blumhouse’s iconic films and is perfect for cinephiles, pop culture enthusiasts, and lovers of horror. Featuring an introduction from CEO and founder Jason Blum, it also includes interviews with key filmmakers and writers like M. Night Shyamalan, Leigh Whannell, James Wan, and Mike Flanagan; actors, such as Allison Williams, Ethan Hawke, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Octavia Spencer; and Blumhouse executives like head of film Couper Samuelson and head of casting Terri Taylor. These interviews explore how each project came together, offering stories and insights into the creative process, such as directing, musical score, makeup, acting, cinematography, and more. You will get a birds-eye view at the triumphs and challenges of some of the most beloved and iconic horror films of all time. This book also includes film stills, on-set photographs, storyboards, creative briefs, and title treatments—giving you a true backstage pass to the making of your favorite films."

To learn more or pre-order, visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Horrors-New-Wave/Blumhouse/9781668094259

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Shudder Acquires HONEY BUNCH Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli's Psychological Gothic Horror: "Shudder announced today that they have acquired HONEY BUNCH, the psychological gothic thriller from filmmaking duo Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli, ahead of its North American Premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Written and directed by Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli, HONEY BUNCH stars Grace Glowicki (DEAD LOVER), Ben Petrie (BLACKBERRY), Jason Isaacs (“The White Lotus”), Kate Dickie (THE WITCH), India Brown (“Invasion”), and Julian Richings (BEAU IS AFRAID). The deal includes rights in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. HONEY BUNCH is slated to debut on Shudder in 2026.

HONEY BUNCH, inspired by Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli’s longtime partnership, marks the duo’s sophomore feature following their acclaimed debut VIOLATION, which was released by Shudder and premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival before screening at Sundance and SXSW. After its world premiere at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, HONEY BUNCH will make its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest later this month.

In HONEY BUNCH, when Diana (Glowicki) wakes from a coma with fragmented memories, she and her husband (Petrie) seek experimental treatments at a remote facility. As the procedures intensify, their marriage is put to the test and Diana begins to question her husband’s true motives.

"We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Shudder with the release of HONEY BUNCH. The film reveals a different side to us as filmmakers, and Shudder are exactly the right partners to present it to audiences,” said directors Sims-Fewer & Mancinelli. “HONEY BUNCH celebrates the terrifying, painful, yet intimately rewarding struggles of what it takes to sustain a relationship. It's a twisted love story. Not a fairytale. We can’t wait for viewers to experience our weird, macabre film in the way only Shudder can deliver."

“HONEY BUNCH delivers high-stakes suspense while surprising with a tender love story that demonstrates a skilled balancing act,” said SVP of Shudder Acquisitions and Production Emily Gotto. “Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli have proven they know how to deliver unforgettable storytelling, and with their sophomore feature they deliver an experience that’s both emotional and entertaining, anchored by incredible performances. We can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”

HONEY BUNCH is produced by Becky Yeboah, Sims-Fewer & Mancinelli for Cat People, and Rhombus Media. Executive Producers include Niv Fichman, Fraser Ash, Kevin Krikst, Ben Petrie, Tenille Shockey, François Dagenais, William Woods, Aram Tertzakian, Nate Bolotin, Maxime Cottray, Todd Brown, Adrian Love, and Mike O’Leary. XYZ Films financed the film in conjunction with IPR.VC and is handling worldwide licensing outside of Canada. The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto for Shudder with Nate Bolotin and Pip Ngo for XYZ Films on behalf of the filmmakers."

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YOUR HOST - A Horror Thriller starring Jackie Earle Haley: Four friends. One killer. A Deadly Game Show Where Every Choice Matters!: "Four friends become unwilling contestants in a sadistic game show, forced to outwit a twisted serial killer as the clock ticks down. Each decision brings them closer to escape—or a gruesome fate."

YOUR HOST, directed by DW Medoff and starring Academy Award Nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen, Shutter Island), Ella-Rae Smith (Sweetheart, “Into the Badlands”), and Jamie Flatters (Black Dog, Avatar: The Way of the Water), will be available on VOD (rental & purchase) beginning Tuesday, October 14th.

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Mr Whispers Reaches Crowdfunding Goal – What’s Next for The B-Team?: "The B-Team has closed its debut feature campaign for Mr Whispers with a massive crowdfunding victory, raising £67,492 from 489 backers - 269% of its £25,000 goal - over the course of a 24-day campaign that began on August 5. The campaign was fronted by the film’s producer and star Megan Tremethick, whose previous credits include The Reign of Queen Ginnarra, The Slave and the Sorcerer, and In the Grip of Terror.

Billed as a late-1990s, VHS-era occult thriller, Mr Whispers is a retro horror project about a spooky urban legend. It tells the story of a group of curious film students, led by the goth sleuth Kathryn Hale (Tremethick), as they uncover the secrets that dwell within the shadows of an abandoned cinema linked to a series of child disappearances.

While creating Mr Whispers, the crew drew inspiration from found footage horror, with films like Noroi: The Curse, The Blair Witch Project, and Lake Mungo informing its tone and style.

“Personally, I find genre films of this style to be the most frightening,” director Dorian Todd explained. “When the camera exists in the story, it feels real. With Mr Whispers, I wanted everything to feel raw and genuine. The characters, their reactions and, of course, the scares.”

Although the B-Team is a new creative label under the British Horror Studio umbrella, the production team is an experienced group. Directors Seumas MacNeil, Oliver Revie, and the aforementioned Todd are making moves in the UK horror scene following collaborations with Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly’s Hex Studios. The cast also includes Tremethick, Novarro Ramon, Stephen Corrall, and Sam Barclay, who will be familiar to viewers of Brewster and Daly’s brand of scare fare.

From Hex Studios to Amicus Productions, British Horror Studio’s output is inspired by the UK’s genre cinema from yesteryear, and The B-Team division is no different. The B Team’s branding references Tigon Productions, the 1960s and 1970s studio behind Witchfinder General and Blood on Satan’s Claw. The label’s logo even pays homage to the legendary studio’s emblem, replacing the tiger with a black cat. Tremethick, who co-leads the new outfit with Paul William Kelly, explained the symbolism:

“The Black Cat is eternally linked to witchcraft and superstition. It is also a beautiful and misunderstood beast, much like the team of underdogs that have come together to form this studio. Our aim is to provide inspiration to indie filmmakers and fans around the world.”

The B Team has stated that it intends to follow Tigon’s model of producing smaller-scale but distinctive horror titles, while also aiming to release three to four features each year. With that in mind, what does the future hold for the imprint?"

Mr Whispers’ Crowdfunding Campaign Is an A+ for The Team

"Mr Whispers‘ fundraising figures are notable for a debut project. The campaign’s shorter 24-day duration contrasts with the longer windows often used by new independent features. The average pledge of nearly £140 suggests strong uptake at collector levels, with audiences opting for physical media and premium rewards in addition to standard digital tiers.

The project also highlights the regional growth of independent horror production in Scotland. Communities in Fife and across the Central Belt have become active centres for low-budget genre filmmaking, with filmmakers and audiences overlapping through online groups and local networks. In the case of Mr Whispers, social activity from the British Horror Studio contributed significantly to late-stage pledges.

For The B-Team, the next step is production and delivery. The synopsis indicates a story set against the backdrop of late-1990s horror, with an emphasis on a visible central antagonist rather than a purely implied presence. The project will now enter post-production, with further announcements expected once schedules and distribution plans are confirmed.

The B-Team’s creation also reflects a wider shift within independent horror towards direct community engagement. Instead of relying solely on film festivals or traditional distributors, the studio uses crowdfunding as both a financial tool and a means of audience-building. This approach has become increasingly common in the genre, providing early financial data and evidence of audience interest for later negotiations with distributors or streaming platforms.

The independent film market remains competitive, but the B-Team’s debut establishes a foundation for further work. With a clear production target of three to four films annually, and with support from the British Horror Studio community, the label now has both the funding data and an identified audience to sustain ongoing development."

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrwhispersfilm/