Prepare to Be Spoiled: Megan Tremethick Teases Debut Feature ASMR Horror ‘Spoiling You’: “Taking inspiration from the cultural phenomenon of anime cosplay and ASMR YouTube performers, Megan Tremethick (The Slave and the Sorcerer) is producing a startling psychological horror that follows the clandestine activities of a lonely girl who discovers a liberating second life through her invention of ‘Miss Mutter’, an alluring anime cosplay character she uses to perform ASMR on YouTube. She soon acquires a legion of devoted fans, but as her popularity grows so too do the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur. As the world begins to learn more and more about Miss Mutter, we soon realise that the woman underneath all the makeup and costume remains a mysterious figure… one with a spine-tingling secret.
A secret that is revealed when Miss Mutter invites her number one fan to spend the night with her for an intimate in-person session.
In “Spoiling You,” Tremethick ventures into new horror territory, taking the emotional relief brought about by ASMR and dragging it down into the dark realms of the uncanny. Citing inspiration from classic J-Horror and horror anime, such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Pulse”, Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s “Wicked City”, the psychological intensity of Satoshi Kon’s “Perfect Blue” and the sheer dread of Takashi Miike’s “Audition”, it’s safe to say Tremethick aims to make a film that is inspired by the golden era of J-Horror.
In the words of Megan Tremethick, “I want to lure an audience, used to the emotional comfort of ASMR, and the sensuality of anime in order to create a horror experience that strikes at the softest core of the viewer. I want to build so much dread, that you’ll almost will yourself to pull away from the screen. I want to create a darkness, that will draw you in… like a siren to the rocks. And, hopefully, you’ll love every minute of it.”
Sound will have a special part to play in ‘Spoiling You’, as it perverts the popular comfort ASMR has brought to millions of people around the world into a disturbing source of fear. Tremethick explains,
“Sound plays such an integral role in horror films—be it the piercing strings that accompany a knife thrust, or the haunting atmosphere, that leaves you holding your breath. ASMR is a cultural phenomenon in which sound helps you to relax, and I want to do the opposite. I want to use sound as a weapon of terror that sends shivers down your spine. Actually… some of my tight-fitting costumes might have the same effect!”
Tremethick also has the support of experienced horror producer Lawrie Brewster, of Hex Studios and Amicus Productions.
“‘Spoiling You’ focuses on the audience, and their state of mind in a way that rekindled my fond memories of watching J-Horror for the first time, which for me consisted of Ju-On the Curse, on VCD before the sub-genre exploded into a cultural phenomenon. When Meg explained what a fan she was of Suicide Club (Suicide Circle) as well, I became excited at the prospect of just how creepy and fearless this film might become. So, I was delighted to lend whatever support I can, with gear, resources and distribution help from Hex Studios.”
Spoiling You is not available to watch yet, but is in the process of raising interest from horror fans via a Kickstarter Pre-Launch page, where those interested can select the ‘notify me on launch’ button. The campaign aims to go live later this month and will offer Blu-Rays, film merchandise and opportunities to play a small role, (perhaps a victim!) or as a producer on the film.”
To keep up with Spoiling You, visit the Pre-launch Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elflockfilms/spoiling-you-feature-film-chilling-psychological-horror?ref=clipboard-prelaunch
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Dark Sky Films Brings KILL YOUR LOVER To Digital & VOD 6/7: “Dark Sky Films is proud to announce KILL YOUR LOVER, a horror film from writer-director-producers Alix Austin and Keir Siewert, featuring breakout performances by Paige Gilmour and Shane Quigley Murphy.
The study of the dark side of relationships, combining frank sexuality with intense body horror, is the feature-filmmaking debut of Austin and Siewert, following award-winning short films such as Sucker, Portrait, and Retch. Dakota (Paige Gilmour, also making her feature debut) has had enough of her toxic relationship with Axel (Shane Quigley Murphy, Vikings: Valhalla, Foundation), and tries to end it. But Axel can’t let Dakota go, and the stress of her attempted breakup causes his body to sprout grotesque black veins. He starts to become a literal monster, with a touch that burns flesh, and their once passionate relationship quickly descends into a horror show. The cast also includes May Kelly (Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey), Chloe Wigmore (Breaking the Band), and Joshua Whincup.
Siewert also edited KILL YOUR LOVER, and Thibault Chavanis provided themusical score. The grisly makeup effects were created by Rebecca Wheeler (Boiling Point, The Siege). The movie was selected to have its world premiere as the Opening Night feature at the 2023 Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, and will also play at FilmQuest 2023, where Austin and Murphy are nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor respectively and the movie is up for Best Visual Effects.
Official Film Synopsis:
Dakota and Axel’s relationship is a toxic mess. She knows it, everybody does… except Axel.
The only thing is, until Dakota tries to break up with Axel, she doesn’t know how truly toxic it will become. The mere idea of splitting up causes Axel to become intensely ill, sprouting grotesque black veins and excreting a strange sticky liquid. His touch burns flesh and his need to hang onto Dakota becomes irrationally powerful.
Nobody is going to take her away from him, not even the paramedics that Dakota calls to deal with Axel’s rapidly worsening condition.
The two grapple with what remains of their once passionate relationship – and how what was built on sexual passion and punk rock could end with blood spilt, lives lost and at least one heart broken, literally.”
- Written and Directed by: Alix Austin & Keir Siewert
- Produced by: Alix Austin, Keir Siewert, Thibault Chavanis
- Cast: Paige Gilmour, Shane Quigley Murphy, May Kelly, Chloe Wigmore, Joshua Whincup
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Independent
- Run Time: 77 Minutes
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Watch the Teaser Trailer for BEEZEL: “Over six tumultuous decades, three unwitting guests of a cursed New England home stumble upon a sinister secret dwelling beneath its floors – an eternal witch with an insatiable thirst for the souls of the living.”
Starring: Leo Wildhagen, Bob Gallagher, LeJon Woods, Caroline Quigley, Kimberly Salditt-Poulin, Nicolas Robin, Victoria Fratz Fradkin, Sarah Vular
Directed By: Aaron Fradkin