The Bloody Disgustingly driven SCREAM BOX The streaming service keeps killing as Cinedigm acquires all North American rights to the horror mockumentary When the screaming starts, about a journalist who pursues a newly formed murder cult started by a bumbling wannabe serial killer. The official trailer is now live and was debuted by Fangoria today!
When the Screaming Starts is published exclusively on Bloody Disgusting’s horror platform SCREAMBOX 09/20followed by a wider digital release later this fall.
Fangoria editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr. gushed that When the Screaming Starts “does for serial killers what What We Do in the Shadows did for vampires.”
Watch the official trailer for When the Screaming Starts below.
Directed by Conor BoruWhen the Screaming Starts follows struggling journalist-turned-filmmaker Norman and faces aspiring serial killer Aidan Mendle. When Norman is invited to follow Aidan on his journey, he thinks he’s finally got his big break. But when Aidan and his newly recruited murder cult go on a bloody killing spree, Norman’s dream of becoming a renowned documentary filmmaker turns into a nightmare.
The film was co-written by Boru and main cast Ed Hartland, who previously worked on several short films. Hartland plays Aidan, the not-so-charismatic head of the family; Jared Rogers as ambitious filmmaker Norman; Kaitlyn Reynell as Aidan’s friend and literal accomplice Claire; and Octavia Gilmore as Amy, one of the family’s first and best recruits.
The horror comedy premiered at FrightFest and has been shown at acclaimed horror festivals around the world including Popcorn Frights, Panic Fest, Telluride Horror Show and Grimmfest. The film also won Best Sci-Fi/Horror Feature at the 2022 London Independent Film Festival.
When the Screaming Starts is currently 100% view on Rotten Tomatoes, and Dread Central exclaims, “When the Screaming Starts is a laugh-out-loud, funny dark comedy and the film breathes a lot of life into the mockumentary subgenre.”
Screen Zealots proclaimed it “a clever, harrowing mockumentary about a serial killer that offers a penetrating commentary on the world we live in,” adding that “it’s also bloody hilarious.”
“Taking true crime fandom and turning it into a Charles Manson-inspired comedy sounds risky, but writer/director Conor Boru finds an interesting mix of dark humor, gore, and social commentary to make When the Screaming Starts entertaining ” writes Nightmarish incantations.
Scariest Things exults, “When the Screaming Starts goes from a deadpan comedy to a full-blown horror film with a twist that will believe the most jaded fan,” while Flickering Myth adds, “This hilarious film lives up to the potential of its premise stylistically sharp mock-doc marks the arrival of a talented filmmaker voice in Conor Boru.”
The film was produced by Boru, Hartland and Rogers along with Dom Lenoir. Executive producers include Gilmore, Yasen Atour and Kavé Niku.
“Of all the genres that fuse with horror, none is more seamless than comedy,” said Brad Miska, managing director of Bloody Disgusting. “Horror and comedy are like two sides of the same coin, which is why fans of both have embraced this subgenre so readily. When the Screaming Starts is the perfect combination of humor and horror. It’s Shaun of the Dead meets Spinal Tap and we know fans are going to eat it up.”
“I’m so proud to be a part of this film,” added Mark Padilla, SVP Sales and Acquisitions at Double Dutch International. “With the popularity of true crime documentaries and podcasts, When the Screaming Starts perfectly satisfies audience appetites. It’s a wild ride from start to finish. The filmmakers and the entire cast did a fantastic job.”
The deal was negotiated by Padilla and Brandon Hill, Acquisitions Manager, on behalf of Cinedigm.
Halloween is coming! When the Screaming Starts joins the already huge SCREAMBOX Originals/Exclusives list which includes Terrifier 2, Deep Fear, All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, Story Game, Welcome to Hell, PussyCake, Pennywise: The Story of IT, Suicide Forest Village, History includes of the Occult and the unabridged edition of Satan’s Little Helper!
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