SHUDDER TAKES “NIGHTBORN” DIRECTOR HANNA BERGHOLM’S FOLLOW UP TO HORROR HIT “HATCHING”: "Shudder announced today that it is acquiring the rights to NIGHTBORN, Finnish filmmaker Hanna Bergholm’s follow up to her debut horror hit HATCHING. NIGHTBORN explores the complex emotions and experiences of parenthood through a visceral and terrifying dark fable of unconditional maternal love, from a screenplay written by Berholm and Ilja Rautsi. Rights include The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The film debuted in competition at Berlinale, and will celebrate its North American Premiere at Fantasia Festival on July 22nd before its Shudder release on July 31st.
The film stars Seidi Haarla (Compartment Number 6) and Rupert Grint (Harry Potter, Servant, Knock at the Cabin) alongside Pamela Tola, Pirkko Saisio, Rebecca Lacey and John Thomson. The film is produced by Daniel Kuitunen from Elokuvayhtiö Komeetta Oy. Co-producers include Getaway Films from France, BlueLight from the UK, and Filmai from Lithuania. Executive producers are Nick Shumaker and David Levine of Anonymous Content. Animatronics Designer, Gustav Hoegen (Star Wars: Episodes VI, VII, & IX, Andor, Jurassic World, Prometheus) and two-time Academy Award nominee, SFX Makeup Designer, Conor O’Sullivan (Saving Private Ryan, The Hours, X Men: First Class, The Dark Knight, Game of Thrones) bring the story to life with visceral imagery and skill.
NIGHTBORN follows Saga and her British husband Jon, who move to an isolated house deep in the forest with dreams of starting a perfect family. But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurance of all around her, Saga knows there’s something terribly wrong with her son. As their marriage starts to crack, Jon struggles to support his wife, but only Saga suspects the disturbing truth about her newborn.
”I am really excited for our film to be released on Shudder! NIGHTBORN is a film made for genre enthusiasts, parents and anyone who has ever asked themselves: Why do I feel different?” said filmmaker Hanna Bergholm.
“Hanna Bergholm’s audacious sophomore follow up to HATCHING delivers tension and shocking moments surrounding parenthood and self discovery - with a touch of humor. We are thrilled to share NIGHTBORN with audiences.” said Emily Gotto, SVP of Shudder Acquisitions and Production.
The deal for the film was negotiated by Emily Gotto, SVP of Shudder Acquisitions and Production with Goodfellas on behalf of the filmmakers."
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STILETTO Theatrical Release Date Announced: "The Horror Section, a media company focused on creating the world’s premier genre brand, announced the wide theatrical release of STILETTO, a provocative new slasher film, starring Gigi Gustin. Gustin, who serves as a producer alongside Eli Roth (Hostel, Thanksgiving, Ice Cream Man), co-wrote the film with director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. (The Plastic Men, The Retaliators). The movie carves its way into theaters nationwide on October 30, 2026, just in time for Halloween.
Fueled by her love for horror and her background as a former exotic dancer, Gustin independently financed the project through her work. She channels many of her own lived realities into the film, using genre as a lens.
“Dollar by dollar, night after night, through high-interest loans and selling my clothes and furniture, I was finally able to make STILETTO happen with a dedicated cast and crew who believed in it,” said Gustin. “I’m beyond honored to bring STILETTO to theaters this Halloween. I can’t think of a better time to run for my life in eight-inch heels across a thousand screens!”
In STILETTO, on the one-year anniversary of the brutal murder of an exotic dancer, a serial killer with a specific kink is “afoot,” stalking and slaughtering his favorite performers to feed his perverse collection of pumps.
“I’ve always believed in stories that show up in heels and don’t apologize for taking up space,” Gustin added. “As an exotic dancer, we carry stories from behind doors few people ever see, witnessing the darkest hours, hidden truths, and most vulnerable moments firsthand. Stiletto is my glittery little revenge story, bringing our worst fears into sharp cinematic focus.
“Of all the horror sub-genres, there’s none more beloved than the slasher, and also the hardest to create something that feels original and genre-defining,” said Eli Roth. “Drawing from her own personal experience as an exotic dancer, Gigi Gustin and Samuel Gonzalez Jr. have turned real life horror into one of the most fun, original and exciting slasher films I have ever seen. Gigi’s performance, both in front of and behind the camera as the creator and producer, has announced one of the most exciting new talents in horror. Her performance is remarkable, and under the inspired direction of Samuel, an equally exciting new talent, they have created a new masked killer that harkens back to the classics and carves in new creative ways I have never seen before. Stiletto delivers the goods on every level, I cannot wait for audiences to discover this on the big screen in theaters this Halloween.”
Drawing from his experiences as an Iraq War veteran, Director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. often fuses visceral genre filmmaking with emotionally driven characters, striking visuals, and dark, immersive worlds.
“Horror has always felt electric to me in a packed theater, hearing audiences scream, laugh, recoil, and experience the madness together,” said Gonzalez Jr.. “STILETTO was built for that kind of communal rush. I wanted to create a slasher film that felt like a seductive neon fever dream soaked in blood, obsession, and atmosphere - something savagely sexy, cinematic, and impossible to look away from. Seeing it finally hit theaters this Halloween feels surreal because we poured so much passion, style, and heart into crafting this nightmare world. My hope is that audiences lose themselves in it for 90 minutes and walk out feeling like they survived something together.”
Completing the ensemble cast include Charlotte McKinney (Fantasy Island, Baywatch), Colleen Camp (Clue, Euphoria), Meghan Carrasquillo (Lookout, Four.), Stephen Blackehart (Superman, Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), Hannah Hueston (The Anacondas), and Pancho Moler (31, 3 From Hell)."
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EMMY AWARD-WINNING ANIMATOR JJ VILLARD RELEASES NEW CARTOON "SCAREDY CAT" ON WARNER BROS.: "Emmy Award-winning animator and creator JJ Villard (King Star King, JJ Villard's Fairy Tales) has released his newest animated project, Scaredy Cat, now streaming in full on the Warner Bros. TV.
Running seven minutes, Scaredy Cat is a spooky comedy for kids and families about a timid half-cat, half-Vietnamese boy who is scared of everything and his fearless best friend, Ghost Girl, who helps him face his fears. Together they explore monsters, mysteries, and magical secrets hidden beneath their hometown of Santa Barbara.
Inspired by Villard's own childhood, Scaredy Cat celebrates friendship, being different, and finding the courage to face your fears. Growing up Vietnamese, Villard often felt like an outsider and wanted to create something personal that would remind kids that it's okay to be scared and that being different is something to embrace.
At its heart, Scaredy Cat is about friendship and learning that being scared has never been so fun.
Villard has spent over two decades in animation, with credits including Shrek 5, Spider Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and numerous DreamWorks and television productions. He is also the Emmy Award-winning creator of Adult Swim's King Star King and JJ Villard's Fairy Tales.
Scaredy Cat is now available to watch in its entirety on the Warner Bros. TV YouTube channel. "
After more than a decade as a consultant in the entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who passionately explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He is also consulted with as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, film festivals, and conventions.
After more than a decade as a consultant in the entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who passionately explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He is also consulted with as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, film festivals, and conventions.
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