Although Eli Roth generally gets a bit of a lukewarm reception amongst a lot of horror fans, his latest film Thanksgiving has been a critical and commercial success. Its straightforward approach to the slasher genre (there's no meta here people!) has been a winning ticket and Roth took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce that he's returning for seconds. He said:
'Thank you everyone who supported ORIGINAL HORROR in theaters!!! Go see it now on the big screen while it’s in cinemas, sequel set for release in 2025! Taking a year to really get the script right, working on it starting today!'

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Thanksgiving is based on the trailer Roth made for Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse double feature and follows a masked killer killing the residents of a small town a year after a Black Friday tragedy the year before.

(Contains spoilers)
One of the surprise hits of 2021 was Scott Derrickson's The Black Phone. Made for less than $20m, it took over $150 worldwide and currently sits on Rotten Tomatoes with an 81% critical score. A sequel to such a profitable film would seem logical for both Universal and Blumhouse but the fact that the novella it is based on (by Joe Hill) is a standalone story meant that there wasn't an obvious follow up story. Also, the villain (Ethan Hawke) dies at the end of The Black Phone, making the prospect a little tricker too.

But it looks like Derrickson and Hill have figured something out, with the news that the horror sequel will see the return of its five main stars, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies and Miguel Mora, as well as Ethan Hawke as The Grabber. No production start date has been revealed at the time of writing, but the movie is scheduled to hit theaters on June 27, 2025.

In what form Hawke's character will return is open for speculation. Maybe he didn't die at the end of The Black Phone (I mean, it looked like he did to be fair!). Or maybe he will be back in spirit form? We'll have to wait and see!
 

Strap yourself in for a seasonal tsunami of action and suspense this December as LEGEND unwraps a six-pack of Channel premieres including ESCAPE PLAN 2, the second instalment of the electrifying franchise, with Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista once again starring. There’s also a first showing for MAN DOWN, with Shia LaBeouf and Gary Oldman headlining this gripping, post-apocalyptic thriller.

Other channel premieres include gruelling crime thriller SOUTHERN FURY, starring Nicolas Cage, siege drama ROGUE HOSTAGE with Tyrese Gibson and John Malkovich, cult Western THE SPOILERS, starring screen legends John Wayne and Marlene Dietrich and BONE TOMAHAWK, in which Kurt Russell stars as a vengeful gunslinger in a gritty, action-packed thriller chronicling a terrifying rescue mission in the Old West.

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This month’s ever popular THE VINTAGE VAULT strand on Sunday nights continues with classic tales of terror and torment, including THE GHOUL (1933), SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, TARANTULA and THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN, and one of the channel’s favourite cult series continues as THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN reaches its conclusion with season 6.

Plus, welcome to LEGEND XTRA, a brand-new channel that brings viewers a thrilling mix of genre cinema, series and all-time favourites.

Launched on Nov 22, primetime highlights for December include David Robert Mitchell’s creepy break-out hit IT FOLLOWS, sci-fi fantasy LAWNMOWER MAN 2: BEYOND CYBERSPACE and British espionage thriller THE INTERNECINE PROJECT, starring James Coburn.

Then there is slick revenge Western HANNIE CAULDER, apocalyptic horror HOSTILE, the murderous, Halloween-themed FRIGHT FEST, Ralph Nelson’s brutal Western SOLDIER BLUE, psychological thriller THE RESIDENT, starring Hilary Swank. and THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD, a superior anthology series starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Denholm Elliott, Ingrid Pitt and Jon Pertwee.

On the 25th of December, viewers are treated to Johnny Kevorkian’s Christmas Day-set mind-bending body horror AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, which stars David Bradley, Holly Weston and Sam Gittens.

Legend premieres in transmission order:

Sat 2 Dec @ 21:00 – SOUTHERN FURY (2017) *Channel Premiere

When a ruthless crime boss (Nicolas Cage) kidnaps his mobster brother, JP (Adrian Grenier) must go against the odds, out-ranked and out-gunned to save his brother’s life. With his brother’s old detective pal Sal (John Cusack) by his side, they now face an army of relentless war-thirsty gangsters.

From Wed 6 Dec @ 19:00 – THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN:

SEASON 6 (1977) *Channel premiere

This series ranks as a cultural touchstone and one of the greatest superhero TV events of all-time. Guest stars included Farrah Fawcett, Lindsay Wagner, and Louis Gossett, Jr. This Emmy-nominated series was one of the highest rated programs of the 1970s.

Sat 9 Dec @ 21:00 – ROGUE HOSTAGE (2021) *Channel Premiere

An ex-military operative (Tyrese Gibson), now working as a child protective services officer, must save an immigrant child from a dangerous criminal who has trapped them, and other hostages, in a super store owned by his stepfather (John Malkovich

Sat 16 Dec @ 21:00 – MAN DOWN (2015) *Channel Premiere

Homebound from Afghanistan, Gabriel Drummer, a hard-nosed US marine, (played by Shia LeBeouf), returns to his hometown and is devastated to find it in ruins and his wife and son missing. Also stars Gary Oldman.

Sat 23 Dec @ 21:00 – ESCAPE PLAN 2 (2018) *Channel Premiere

Years after Ray Breslin (Syvester Stallone) fought his way out of an escape-proof prison, he's organised a new top-notch, for-hire security force that includes some of the best in the business. But when one of his team goes missing, Ray ventures back into the secret lock-up.

Wed 27 Dec @ 22:50 – THE SPOILERS (1942) *Channel Premiere

Prospector Roy Glennister (John Wayne) is continually persecuted by Alexander McNamara, who has the law on his side, until the two decide to settle their dispute man-to-man. Screen legend Marlena Dietrich plays saloon-hall gal Cherry Mallote, who becomes the romantic bone of contention between Glennister and McNamara.

Sat 30 Dec @ 22:55 – BONE TOMAHAWK (2015) *Channel Premiere

When a group of cannibal savages kidnaps settlers from the small town of Bright Hope, an unlikely team of gunslingers, led by Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), sets out to bring them home. But their enemy is more ruthless than anyone could have imagined, putting their mission – and survival itself – in serious jeopardy.

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So Scream VII is going to be interesting isn't it?! When Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day) was confirmed as director a few months ago, expectations and hopes were high for the next installment of the franchise. The last 48 hours however have seen things turned upside down, with its two leading ladies no longer being attached to the project. Yesterday Melissa Berrera was unceremoniously dumped by Spyglass for a series of social media posts and now Deadline are reporting that Jenna Ortega (who let's face it, is the real star of the new films) has also pulled out. There were rumours that it was as a direct result of Barrera's departure, however it turns out that this has been on the cards for weeks and is more to do with her involvement in other projects (such as Netflix series Wednesday)

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Apparently the script for Scream VII hasn't been written yet so Landon and co can now try and work out how to reset the narrative and plot without two of the 'core four'. Good luck!

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Oh boy, this one is sure to ruffle some feathers. One of the 'core four' of the new Scream trilogy, Melissa Barrera (who plays Sam Carpenter) will not be appearing in the next instalment of the franchise. Spyglass have decided that a series of social media posts that Barrera made regarding the Hamas/Israel conflict crossed the line. 

A spokesperson for Spyglass said: "Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech."

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Meanwhile, Happy Death Day filmmaker Christopher Landon, who is taking over directing duties on Scream VII from Radio Silence, posted a message on X that said: “This is my statement: 💔 Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.”

Filming has not begun, and development has been slow amid the actors and writers strikes. Spyglass is now expected to altertheir  plans following Barrera’s departure. 

Although Wes Craven is best known for Scream (1996) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), he also directed the somewhat underrated The People Under the Stairs (1991) - a film that somehow managed to be both genuinely creepy and funny at the same time. 

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In a world of remakes and reboots, it's somewhat surprising that it hasn't had one yet. However, thanks to Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Production, that's all going to change and although details are thin on the ground with regards to the talent attached, both Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld will serve as producers. 

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For those unfamiliar with the plot, here's the original synopsis:
When young Fool (Brandon Adams) breaks into the home of his family's greedy and uncaring landlords, he discovers a disturbing scenario where incestuous adult siblings have mutilated a number of boys and kept them imprisoned under stairs in their large, creepy house. As Fool attempts to flee before the psychopaths can catch him, he meets their daughter, Alice (A.J. Langer), who has been spared any extreme discipline by her deranged parents. Can Fool and Alice escape before it's too late?

Watch out for plenty of star-studied thrills and spills on LEGEND, as the UK’s most entertaining channel for action, suspense and Sci-Fi presents eleven premieres for October, including the UK TV premiere of ANTI-LIFE, an edge-of-your-seat sci-fi thriller with an (inter)stellar cast including Bruce Willis and John Suits. There also a welcome channel premiere for THE GUEST, a brilliant homage to 1980s action flicks and slasher horror, which showcases ex- ‘Downtown Abbey’ actor Dan Stevens in an inspired star-making turn.

Other channel firsts include high-octane crime thriller DOG EAT DOG, starring Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe, American road comedy film MIDNIGHT RUN, starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, THE QUEST a martial arts thriller directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme in his directorial debut and the controversial drama SLEEPERS, starring Kevin Bacon, Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro and  Minnie Driver.

Plus, there’s British mystery thriller UNDER SUSPICION starring Liam Neeson, action adventure THE RIVER WILD, starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon and Van Damme and Lundgren return for a sixth instalment of UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING.

This month’s ever-popular THE VINTAGE VAULT strand on Sunday night double-bills continues its celebration of great horror classics from the Sixties and seventies including DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, THE SORCERERS, TWINS OF EVIL, SCARS OF DRSCULS and LUST FOR A VAMPIRE.

Full film details in transmission order:

Sun 1 Oct @ 21:00 – THE SORCERERS (1967)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Scientist (Boris Karloff) and his wife (Catherine Lacey), possess a device that enables them to impose, through telepathy, their fantasies on people and allows them to experience sensations felt by their subjects. They take control of a teenager (Ian Ogilvy) and have him live out what they associate with contemporary youth: violence and sex. This disturbing and powerful psychological horror is the debut feature of cult-director Michael Reeves.

Sun 1 Oct @ 22:45 – DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1966)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Christopher Lee stars in this chilling tale of four English tourists who become stranded in the Carpathian Mountains. When a driverless coach appears and takes them to a sinister castle, can they survive the night? This sequel to 'Dracula' (1958) is directed by Terence Fisher, with Andrew Keir and Barbara Shelley

Thurs 5 Oct @ 23:15 – UNDER SUSPICION (1991) *Channel Premiere

Tony Aaron (Liam Neeson) is a disgraced ex-policeman scraping a living as a private detective. When a supposedly routine case goes wrong and leads to the murder of a client and Aaron's own wife, he is under suspicion of murder. His enquiries lead him to the murdered client's mistress, the mysterious Angeline (Laura San Giacomo), who stood to benefit heavily.

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Sat 7 Oct @ 21:00 – MIDNIGHT RUN (1988) *Channel Premiere

When bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert DeNiro) is assigned with finding bail jumper Jon Mardukas (Charles Grodin), he has no idea the Mob and the FBI have the same idea Martin Brest directs this smart and funny ‘Odd Couple’ movie.

Sun 8 Oct @ 21:00 – FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN (1967)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) assisted by Dr Hertz (Thorley Walters) and Hans Werner (Robert Morris), discovers a way of trapping the soul of a recently deceased person. Frankenstein believes he can transfer that soul into another recently deceased female body to restore it to life. Directed by Terence Fisher, this is It is the fourth film in Hammer's Frankenstein series one of the most critically acclaimed Hammer films.

Sun 8 Oct @ 22:45 – THE WITCHES (1966)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Following a horrifying experience with the occult in Africa, a schoolteacher (Joan Fontaine) moves to a small English village, only to discover that a mysterious magic resides there as well. Directed by Cyril Frankel and co-starring Alec McCowen this Hammer Films production, was adapted from the 1960 novel The Devil's Own

Thurs 12 Oct @ 21:00 – THE QUEST (1996) *Channel Premiere

Acclaimed action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme directs and stars as Chris, a street criminal who has always lived his life in search of new adventures. But his skill will be put to the test when he enters a tournament of the world’s best fighters. Van Dammer’s directorial debut also stars Roger Moore.

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Sat 14 Oct @ 21:00 – THE RIVER WILD (1994) *Channel Premiere

Meryl Streep delivers a tour de force performance as a wife and mother whose family river rafting trip is hijacked by murderous thieves who desire to use her experience as a river guide to get them through a perilous stretch of water known as the Gauntlet. Directed by Curtis Hanson and co-stars Kevin Bacon as the ruthless criminal who threatens their lives.

Sun 15 Oct @ 21:00 – THE BLOOD BEAST TERROR (1968)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

A 19th-century entomologist's daughter undergoes a metamorphosis into a giant death's head moth which needs human blood to survive. Her father creates a giant moth to keep her company, but only succeeds in unleashing more blood-sucking terror. Meanwhile, a police inspector (played by Peter Cushing) tries to find the key to the series of gruesome murders.

Sun 15 Oct @ 22:45 – THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (1968)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

The powers of good are pitted against the forces of evil as the Duc de Richelieu (Christopher Lee) wrestles with the deadly Satanist, Mocata (Charles Gray) for the soul of his friend, who has become deeply involved in a satanic society run by Mocata. Furthermore, De Richleau's daughter is kidnapped by the cult and put up for sacrifice to the Angel of Death

Tues 17 Oct @ 22:45 – DOG EATS DOG (2016) *Channel Premiere

Based on true events and directed by visionary filmmaker Paul Schrader, this high-octane crime thriller stars Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe, who, fresh out of prison, are trying to adapt themselves to civilian life. But then they are offered a job by an eccentric mob boss with a payoff too good to turn down.

Sun 22 Oct @ 21:00 – BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB (1971)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

On an expedition to Egypt, Professor Fuchs (Andrew Keir) discovers the tomb of the beautiful Queen Tera, Queen of Darkness (Valerie Leon), whose power was reputed to stretch beyond the grave. He returns to London, bringing the queen's mummified body and objects with him. Strange things begin to happen as the objects seem to take on a life of their own and strike down anyone who crosses their path. This was director Seth Holt’s final film, and was loosely adapted from Bram Stoker’s 1903 novel The Jewel of Seven Stars

Sun 22 Oct @ 22:55 – LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (1971)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

The enigmatic Carmilla (Yutte Stensgaard) enrols as a student in an exclusive girls' finishing school and proceeds to wreak havoc among pupils and teachers alike. Among those who fall victim to her striking and sensual beauty is the school's new English teacher Giles Barton (Ralph Bates), who at first refuses to credit the ugly rumours about her true vampiristic nature. But, following the death of a colleague he is reluctantly forced to face the truth...

Wed 25 Sept @ 22:50 – ANTI-LIFE (2020) *UK TV Premiere

Set in the near future, a spaceship with survivors flees a devastating plague on planet Earth. But the ship has a stowaway: a shape-shifting alien whose goal is to kill. Clay (Bruce Willis) and his team of mechanics are picked to maintain the interstellar ark but now they must outwrite and destroy a malevolent cosmic terror.

Fri 27 Oct @ 22:50 – UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION (2009) *Channel Premiere

When a terrorist sect uses a new destructive model from the "Universal Soldier" line of humanlike machines, to seize the atomic reactor at Chernobyl, Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), is reactivated to save the planet from nuclear Armageddon. Unfortunately, Deveraux will also have to contend with his nemesis, Andrew Scott (Dolph Lundgren).

Sat 28 Oct @ 21:00 – SLEEPERS (1996) *Channel Premiere

Four boys from Hell's Kitchen enter a reformatory where a cruel guard (Kevin Bacon) abuses them. Years later, two of them avenge their tormenter and stand trial, defended by a lawyer (Dustin Hoffman) and aided by their scheming cohort (Brad Pitt) and other friends from the 'hood (Robert DeNiro, Minnie Driver), who face the moral dilemma of justice vs. loyalty.

Sun 29 Oct @ 21:00 – TWINS OF EVIL (197)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

After being orphaned, two beautiful identical twins move to the village of Karnstein, where they live with their uncle, a fanatical Puritan (Peter Cushing). Nearby, the Count of the village is performing a sacrificial rite to raise his ancestor, the vampire Countess He turns his attention to the twins. One of them is destined to fall under his spell, but which one? John Hough’s a supernatural vampire thriller is widely recognised as a masterpiece of gothic and erotic horror.

Sun 29 Sept @ 22:45 – SCARS OF DRACULA (1970)

*Part of The Vintage Vault

Count Dracula, (Christopher Lee), once again spreads his evil from his mountaintop castle. When libertine Paul Carlson disappears one night, his brother Simon and his girlfriend trace him to the area and make their way, like Paul before them, towards the sinister castle and its undead host. This sequel to Taste the Blood of Dracula (1968), also stars Dennis Waterman, Jenny Hanley, Patrick Troughton, and Michael Gwynn.

Tues 31 Oct @ 21:00 – THE GUEST (2014) *Channel Premiere

A brilliant homage to 1980s action flicks and slasher horror given a sharp twist by YOU’RE NEXT director Adam Wingard, it showcases ex- ‘Downtown Abbey’ actor Dan Stevens in an inspired star-making turn. He plays David, a soldier arriving on the bereaved Peterson family’s doorstep, claiming to be the best friend of their son who died in action. Inviting him to stay, at first the charming veteran seems the perfect guest, but then the random killing starts. What's going on and can the family stop the cold-blooded lethal weapon in their home committing even worse atrocities?

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An ambitious campaign to revive the iconic British horror studio has reached its £60K funding goal in just 11 hours as fans from around the world rally around the project.

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Thanks to this hugely successful funding drive, Amicus is now set to return with its first film for decades, ‘In the Grip of Terror’, a portmanteau feature harking back to the company's best-loved titles such as 'Dr. Terror's House of Horrors' (1965), 'Tales from the Crypt' (1972), and 'Asylum' (1972).

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Since the announcement last month of the rebirth of Amicus, the team behind the project has received an incredible outpouring of support from the horror community, culminating in the launch of their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. The team is seeking funds to produce 'In the Grip of Terror', and in return offering various perks, from Collector's Edition physical copies to exclusive merchandise, and even credits in the film.

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The revival of Amicus is not a corporate reboot, but a project led by a team of genre filmmakers, passionate about classic horror and the future of independent filmmaking. According to director/producer Lawrie Brewster, “the new Amicus will be built by and for horror fans. By championing atmospheric visuals, compelling horror writing, and traditional practical effects, we plan to transport audiences back to the golden age of British horror. Restoring Amicus is not merely about reviving a film studio, it's about rekindling a passion, honouring a rich heritage, and showcasing the power of independent filmmaking.”

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The first new film under the Amicus banner will feature four segments based on classic horror stories by H.P. Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce, and E.M Forster, all on the theme of medical macabre. The film has been developed in close consultation with the family of Amicus co-founder Milton Subotsky, and aims to preserve and build upon his incredible filmmaking legacy.

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'In the Grip of Terror' will star a host of UK horror icons including Laurence R. Harvey (Human Centipede II), and Jonathan Hansler (Axed, The Devil's Business) as well as upcoming talent such as Megan Tremethick (Ghost Crew, The Lockdown Hauntings).

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Brewster and his business partner Sarah Daly have grand ambitions for the future of this icon of British horror, with a series of films slated, and their campaign stretch goals including plans to secure a bricks-and-mortar home for Amicus in Scotland.

Visit the crowdfunder to find out how you can play a part in the future of Amicus Productions, and support truly independent British horror filmmaking.

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After decades in the shadows, the legendary Amicus Productions is set for a grand revival thanks to the team at Hex Studios. Their upcoming film, 'In the Grip of Terror', seeks to honor the classic studio's legacy while forging a new chapter in British horror.

Drawing inspiration from iconic films like 'Dr. Terror's House of Horrors' (1965), 'Tales from the Crypt' (1972), and 'Asylum' (1972), the new portmanteau feature will spotlight four tales rooted in the works of revered authors such as H.P. Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce, and E.F Benson. With a central theme of medical macabre, the film promises to be a chilling experience. While the full cast list is under wraps, it will feature UK horror stalwarts like Laurence R. Harvey (Human Centipede II) and emerging stars Megan Tremethick (Ghost Crew) Jonathan Hansler (The Devil's Machine) and Michael Daviot (Revenge of Innsmouth).

Guiding the ambitious resurrection is the new president of Amicus Productions, Lawrie Brewster, known for 'The Unkindness of Ravens' (2016), 'The Devil's Machine' (2019), and 'Ghost Crew' (2022). Alongside him is his business partner, writer/producer Sarah Daly. Their efforts come after extensive dialogues and collaboration with the family of Amicus founder Milton Subotsky, who have wholeheartedly endorsed this venture.

But the aspirations of Brewster and team stretch beyond a single film. They are calling upon classic horror aficionados to be part of this cinematic rebirth. A crowdfunding campaign, set to kick off in mid-September, will facilitate the initial stages of the project, driving set construction, original practical effects creation, and talent acquisition. Fans can get a head start by registering for updates on the Amicus Pre-Launch Campaign Page.

Brewster expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Our aim is to re-establish Amicus Productions as a beacon of independent British horror. We're concocting a film that captures the essence and panache that rendered the studio iconic. By emphasizing atmospheric storytelling, tangible effects, and a genuine respect for the genre, our vision is to teleport audiences back to British horror's golden epoch. This venture transcends mere studio revival—it's a renaissance of passion, tribute to a rich legacy, and a testament to indie cinema's prowess."

Brewster also delved into the deep-rooted involvement of the Subotsky family in the project. "The title 'In the Grip of Terror' was generously shared with me by Sergei Subotsky, derived from a list of potential titles his late father, Milton Subotsky, had curated decades ago. It feels profoundly fitting that we're expanding upon the imaginative groundwork set by such a visionary. What's even more fascinating is that three of the four stories we're adapting were suggested by Milton's widow and Sergei's mother, Dr. Fiona Subotsky.'"

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