Untitled Horror Movie
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''Untitled Horror Movie'' is a 2021 American
horror comedy Comedy horror (also called horror comedy) is a literary, television and film genre that combines elements of comedy and horror fiction. Comedy horror has been described as having three types: "black comedy, parody and spoof." Comedy horror can a ...
film directed by Nick Simon, who co-wrote the screenplay with
Luke Baines Luke Baines (born 8 June 1990) is an English-born Australian actor. He is best known for playing the serial killer in '' The Girl in the Photographs'', the last film produced by Wes Craven, which opened at the 2015 Toronto International Film Fes ...
. Baines also stars in the film alongside
Claire Holt Claire Rhiannon Holt (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian-American actress. She made her acting debut playing Emma Gilbert in the fantasy series '' H2O: Just Add Water'' (2006–2008), before moving to America and making her film debut in 2009 ...
,
Darren Barnet Darren Charles Barnet (born April 27, 1991) is an American actor. He is known for playing Paxton Hall-Yoshida in the Netflix series ''Never Have I Ever''. Early life and education Darren Charles Barnet was born on April 27, 1991, in Los Angele ...
, Emmy Raver-Lampman,
Katherine McNamara Katherine Grace McNamara (born November 22, 1995) is an American actress and singer. She portrayed Clary Fray on the 2016–2019 supernatural drama series '' Shadowhunters'', receiving a Teen Choice Award and a People's Choice Award for her ...
, and
Timothy Granaderos Timothy Granaderos (born September 9, 1986) is an American actor and model. He is known for his portrayals of Ash Franklin in the thriller web series '' Tagged'' (2016–18), Taylor Price in the TV series ''In the Vault'' (2017), and Montgomery ...
. The film utilizes found footage conventions, and in one scene presents its narrative via a
computer screen A computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or textual form. A discrete monitor comprises a visual display, support electronics, power supply, housing, electrical connectors, and external user controls. The ...
. Its plot follows six actors who decide to create a
horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit physical or psychological fear in its viewers. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with Transgressive art, transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements of the genre include Mo ...
, and in doing so unwittingly summon a
malevolent spirit In mythology and folklore, a vengeful ghost or vengeful spirit is said to be the ghost, spirit of a dead person who returns from the afterlife to seek revenge for a cruel, unnatural or unjust death. In certain cultures where funeral and burial o ...
. ''Untitled Horror Movie'' was filmed remotely due to the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
. The processes of writing, pre-production, and filming all took place during COVID-19-related quarantines. The film's actors—who were self-isolating at their homes during shooting—were responsible for lighting, makeup, audio and camerawork, with direction, assistance and communication taking place through
Zoom Zoom may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * ''Zoom'' (2006 film), starring Tim Allen * ''Zoom'' (2015 film), a Canada-Brazil film by Pedro Morelli * ''Zoom'' (2016 Kannada film), a Kannada film * ''Zoom'' (2016 Sinhala film), a Sr ...
.


Plot

After actor Declan learns about the cancellation of the hit TV show ''Belle'' where he stars, he discloses the news to his fellow castmates: aspiring writer Kip, shallow diva Kelly, the level-headed and confident Alex, the very ditzy Chrissy and fun-loving Max. Kip wants to use the opportunity and reveals to his friends about a horror movie he has been working on. The idea of being in charge of their own movie excites them and although Kelly is initially hesitant, she later agrees on the condition that she gets to star. The group starts working on the movie, juggling between improving Kip's terrible script and coping with Kelly's dissatisfaction. Chrissy's pendulum gives them an idea to shoot a
séance A séance or seance (; ) is an attempt to communicate with spirits. The word ''séance'' comes from the French language, French word for "session", from the Old French , "to sit". In French, the word's meaning is quite general and mundane: one ma ...
and Chrissy agrees to use the pendulum during filming though she is against the idea. Max sends some of their scenes to his manager and claims that the movie will be highly sought after, motivating them to carry on with the film. Chrissy then starts to recite the séance. In the night as they film the séance the group all feel strange things happen, such as Declan hearing thunder from his house even though it was a clear night, Kelly feeling a gust of wind blowing on her face and a shadow appearing behind Chrissy, which she claims she had no idea of. The group later notice the same shadow in Alex's footage as well. The next day Chrissy joins in the video call with a blackened eye, saying that she couldn't stop hitting herself the previous night even after she stopped filming. The group first rebuke it as Chrissy trying to seek attention but soon realise that strange things were going with the rest of the cast every time they try to shoot the séance scene, creeping them out enough for Kip to cancel shooting for the night. At night, Kip wakes Alex up telling her Chrissy had uploaded a horrifying video of an anonymous person recording her while she slept. Alarmed, Kip contacts the rest of the group, but Chrissy disconnects mid-call. Declan video-calls her for the rest of the group to see that someone is indeed in Chrissy's house. Declan leaves to help her while the others watch as she tries to survive many attacks. Declan reaches Chrissy's house in time to witness Chrissy choking herself to death after giving her pendulum to Declan. Declan flees from her house with the pendulum. A few days later Kip calls Declan telling him that Chrissy's body was found and her death was ruled an accident. The group argues whether to abandon the movie and Declan decides to throw away Chrissy's pendulum after realising that it is the source of the evil entity. However, he is later strangled to death by the same entity and is possessed. The rest of the group, unaware of Declan's death, is invited by the creators of ''Belle'' and reveal their intention to renew it for three more seasons to honor Chrissy. One of the producers Bobbie, finds a package from Declan containing the materials for the séance and Chrissy's pendulum. After Bobbie recites the séance again, the entire group is possessed while the producers leave, convinced they were being pranked.


Cast

*
Claire Holt Claire Rhiannon Holt (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian-American actress. She made her acting debut playing Emma Gilbert in the fantasy series '' H2O: Just Add Water'' (2006–2008), before moving to America and making her film debut in 2009 ...
as Kelly *
Luke Baines Luke Baines (born 8 June 1990) is an English-born Australian actor. He is best known for playing the serial killer in '' The Girl in the Photographs'', the last film produced by Wes Craven, which opened at the 2015 Toronto International Film Fes ...
as Declan *
Darren Barnet Darren Charles Barnet (born April 27, 1991) is an American actor. He is known for playing Paxton Hall-Yoshida in the Netflix series ''Never Have I Ever''. Early life and education Darren Charles Barnet was born on April 27, 1991, in Los Angele ...
as Max *
Timothy Granaderos Timothy Granaderos (born September 9, 1986) is an American actor and model. He is known for his portrayals of Ash Franklin in the thriller web series '' Tagged'' (2016–18), Taylor Price in the TV series ''In the Vault'' (2017), and Montgomery ...
as Kip *
Katherine McNamara Katherine Grace McNamara (born November 22, 1995) is an American actress and singer. She portrayed Clary Fray on the 2016–2019 supernatural drama series '' Shadowhunters'', receiving a Teen Choice Award and a People's Choice Award for her ...
as Chrissy * Emmy Raver-Lampman as Alex *
Kal Penn Kalpen Suresh Modi ( born April 23, 1977), known professionally as Kal Penn, is an American actor, author, and former White House staff member in the Barack Obama administration. As an actor he is known for his portrayals of Kumar Patel in t ...
as Mark *
Aisha Tyler Aisha Tyler (born September 18, 1970) is an American actress and talk show host. She is known for playing Andrea Marino in the first season of ''Ghost Whisperer'', Dr. Tara Lewis in ''Criminal Minds'' since 2015, Mother Nature in the final two ...
as Bobbie Brower *
Kevin Daniels Kevin Dwight Daniels Jr. (born December 9, 1976, in San Diego, California), is an American actor who started his career with a supporting role in the 1998 film ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' by director Nicholas Hytner. He has appeared in ...
as Harry * Lesly Kahn as herself * Sohm Kapila as Michelle


Production

Director and co-writer Nick Simon, with star and fellow co-writer
Luke Baines Luke Baines (born 8 June 1990) is an English-born Australian actor. He is best known for playing the serial killer in '' The Girl in the Photographs'', the last film produced by Wes Craven, which opened at the 2015 Toronto International Film Fes ...
, pitched the concept of ''Untitled Horror Movie'' to producers Bronwyn Cornelius and Marina Stabile, who helped acquire funding for the project. Cornelius stated that "We've never met the cast and crew, and yet we all absolutely bonded virtually over these
Zoom Zoom may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * ''Zoom'' (2006 film), starring Tim Allen * ''Zoom'' (2015 film), a Canada-Brazil film by Pedro Morelli * ''Zoom'' (2016 Kannada film), a Kannada film * ''Zoom'' (2016 Sinhala film), a Sr ...
calls. It's fascinating how connected you can feel to somebody having never physically met them. ..You don't need to lose that bonding just because we can't physically be in the same space." ''Untitled Horror Movie'' was filmed remotely as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, with the processes of writing, pre-production, and filming all taking place during COVID-19-related quarantines. Simon and the rest of the crew sent packages containing makeup and hair supplies, camera equipment, props, and lighting equipment to the film's actors, who were each isolating at their respective homes, and explained how to set up equipment over Zoom calls. Cinematographer Kevin Duggin helped the actors rig lights and set up camera shots, while hair and makeup department head Stefanie Terzo sent the actors video tutorials on how to create artificial bruises and wounds using makeup. One portion of the film presents the narrative through a
computer screen A computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or textual form. A discrete monitor comprises a visual display, support electronics, power supply, housing, electrical connectors, and external user controls. The ...
, with the characters interacting via a
video chat Videotelephony (also known as videoconferencing or video calling) is the use of audio and video for simultaneous two-way communication. Today, videotelephony is widespread. There are many terms to refer to videotelephony. ''Videophones'' are ...
. The rest of the film is shot in a more traditional found footage style. Post production on the film was expected to wrap by early September.


Release

The film had its
livestream Livestreaming, live-streaming, or live streaming is the streaming media, streaming of video or Digital audio, audio in real-time communication, real time or near real time. While often referred to simply as ''streaming'', the real-time nature ...
ed premiere on June 12, 2021. It was made available for viewing by (Yet) Another Distribution Company on
video-on-demand Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos, television shows and films digitally on request. These multimedia are accessed without a traditional video playback device and a typical static broadcasting ...
services and digital platforms like
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
and
Amazon.com Amazon.com, Inc., doing business as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company engaged in e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. Founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos in Bellevu ...
on June 15, 2021.


Reception


See also

*
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on certain 2020s in film, films in the early 2020s, mirroring its Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural heritage, impacts across all arts sectors. Across the world, and to varying deg ...


References


External links


Official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Untitled Horror Movie 2021 horror films American comedy horror films American ghost films American independent films American supernatural horror films Films about social media Techno-horror films Films impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic Found footage films 2021 films 2021 comedy horror films Screenlife films 2020s English-language films 2020s American films English-language comedy horror films