News
Novelist and “The Talisman” Collaborator Peter Straub Has Died
Author Peter Straub has died. He was 79.
If you were an avid reader in the 70s and 80s, you probably had a few favorite authors in your horror library; Along with Stephen King, Peter Straub was most likely one of them. His body of work was celebrated the world around.
Today his wife Emma announced on Instagram that the prolific author passed away. Stephen King with whom Straub collaborated with on the 1984 fantasy/horror novel The Talisman sent out this tweet upon hearing of his death.
“It’s a sad day because my good friend and amazingly talented colleague and collaborator, Peter Straub, has passed away,” wrote Stephen King on Twitter, “Working with him was one of the great joys of my creative life.”
Straub had many great novels in his oeuvre including Julia which was made into a movie called The Haunting of Julia in 1977. Arguably his best-known work is the eerie Ghost Story which was also made into a film in 1981.
It wasn’t long before he joined Stephen King on a collab called The Talisman and its loose sequel The Black House. King wanted to write a third entry into the series with Straub, but those plans were nixed when Straub bowed out.
But that’s not the end for The Talisman. Stranger Things creators, the Duffer Brothers are working with Netflix to create a miniseries based on the novel.
“It’s much more fantasy,” said Matt Duffer to Deadline in July. “It has sci-fi, it has horror elements, it has a lot of heart, it has everything that we love, and it’s got the best werewolf character I think, ever.”
Straub loved to scare people in his books. But it wasn’t about the visceral shock, it cut much deeper. “In America, we don’t like darkness, really,” he told NPR, “but there is an immense quantity to be learned there, and we all experience it in our lives.”
Peter Straub: 1943 – 2022
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News
[Exclusive Photos & Trailer] Magnificent Films’ Vampire Feature ‘Drained’
There have been some Vampires in the news this week; I’m not complaining! Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou’s film Drained is screening at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Drained sounds like it has romantic and supernatural elements, conflict, emotional and psychological depth, and a rich setting. Go ahead and check out the press release below and our exclusive photos & teaser trailer. If you’re into vampires sprinkled with intriguing characters and a blend of genres, this may be your cup of blood!
British filmmakers’ Sean Cronin and Peter Stylianou’s London-based feature vampire film “Drained” has completed post-production and is headed to market at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival (May 14-25, 2024) in Cannes, France.
The supernatural horror film – which was co-directed and produced by Cronin and Peter Stylianou from a screenplay by the latter — was filmed in London, England, and is a Magnificent Films/House 54/Red Guerilla Films co-production. Additional producers include Daniel Patrick Vaughan and Tony Currier. Cronin, as an actor, has portrayed villains in dozens of box office hits, as well as having directed several award-winning titles, including the upcoming feature ‘Bogieville.’ Peter Stylianou is a writer/director with two feature film credits already to his name.
Reads the synopsis for ‘Drained,’ “In the neon-soaked streets of London, Thomas, a jobless post-graduate concept artist, falls in love with Rhea, a mysterious woman who turns out to be a vampire. As their twisted romance unfolds, Thomas’s health deteriorates, and he spirals out of control.
Ruaridh Aldington (“Dirty Boy”) and Madalina Bellariu Ion (“Dampyr”) star as the ill-fated couple, with supporting cast which includes Craig Conway (“Dog Soldiers”), Angela Dixon (“Never Let Go”), Andrew Lyle-Pinnock, Natasha Patel (The Witcher: Blood Origin), Andrew Lee Potts (Band of Brothers), Diana Yekinni, Ayvianna Snow, Kenton Lloyd Morgan and Timothy Blore.
Special makeup effects are by Francesca Reidie, with Ellie Campbell handling production design and cinematography by Daniel Patrick Vaughan.
Said Cronin of “Drained”, “Stylistically, the film is a mesmerizing blend of darkness and beauty. With a neon-noir aesthetic reminiscent of a night bus ride through London’s rain-soaked streets, we worked hard to capture the city’s underbelly, with a score and soundtrack that echoes the allure of ‘Drive’ with its synth 80s sound, striking the perfect balance between atmospheric and engaging.”
Added Stylianou. “Beneath the surface of this vampiric romance, the film delves deeper, exploring the addictive nature of today’s society. Just as Thomas becomes ensnared in Rhea’s world, modern life presents its own metaphorical vampires, be it social media, substance abuse, or other self-destructive habits. The film paints a striking portrait of why individuals give themselves to these draining forces.”
Added Madalina Bellariu Ion: “Growing up in Transylvania, Romania, I’ve always dreamt of playing a vampire. So, portraying Rhea was a perfect fit for me! The blend of fantasy horror and gritty realism in this film created an unforgettable experience that stayed with me long after filming ended. I hope the audience feels the same way after watching it. It’s a truly unique vampire film.”
About Magnificent Film & Television LTD
Magnificent Films was founded in 2007 by Sean Cronin to create imaginative, cinematic storytelling second to none. With a team of talented editors, writers, and production staff he has forged forward in building a dynamic film company for the 21st century. With working relationships with some of the best and established people in the industry yet keen to support and promote new talent both in front and behind the camera and from all areas of the community, Magnificent believes passionately that the industry should be accessible to all who have an aptitude and talent for storytelling in the medium of film and television.
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Movies
New Body Horror Film ‘The Substance’ Releases Teaser
We haven’t seen Demi Moore in a movie since The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent back in 2022. She has been busy though, she had a part in Ryan Murphy’s latest Feud chapter and now she is contemplating altering her body to make it more youthful in the body horror film The Substance.
Apparently, according to the official synopsis, there is a newly developed beauty regimen that “generates another you. A new, younger, more beautiful, more perfect you. And there’s only one rule: You share time. One week for you. One week for the new you. Seven days each. A perfect balance. Easy. Right? If you respect the balance… what could possibly go wrong?”
A still from the film (used in out header) suggests that this new technology requires a lot more than dabbing it under your eyes or administering a sticky mask. The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was bought by Mubi. No US release date has been announced.
The Substance reminds us of another FDA nightmare, The Stuff (1985) in which a commercially marketed whipped treat turns people into zombies. That film is a dark comedy about consumerism and gluttony. While Deadline reports that The Substance is humourous as well as gory, they don’t say how rooted it is in satire.
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News
Airbnb Scareprank Pits Influencers Against ‘The Strangers’
The Strangers: Chapter 1 was released this week. This is the first part of Renny Harlin’s trilogy which appears to be a retelling of the 2008 original. Early reviews are passable, but many have said it is not as scary as the original and hope this first installment is just a taste of what is to come.
However, social media influencers got the scare of their lives after they were invited to an Airbnb for a special screening. As they watched the film masked home invaders visited them and their reactions were recorded.
The stunt was put together by actor/executive producer Madelaine Petsch and producer Courtney Solomon. You can watch how it played out below.
Soloman was recently interviewed by iHorror and attempted to clear up some questions about how this trilogy fits into the Strangers universe:
“The one thing that seems to register confusion amongst the OG ‘The Strangers‘ fans is that we remade the movie, or that it’s a prequel. Not really. What we did is we took the DNA of the original setup, and wanted to use that because you really can’t do better for a setup, we’re using that as the jumping-off point. Our characters are different. Our scares and our beats are very different. It’s all setting up a bigger story. You’re following these characters, and you will really get to know the protagonist and antagonist, and as they go through, it’s like they almost know each other.”
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