Prepare for a spine-tingling experience as Demián Rugna, the Argentine maestro behind the horror hit “Terrified” (“Aterrados”), returns with his latest bone-chilling offering, “When Evil Lurks” (“Cuando Acecha La Maldad”). This eagerly anticipated horror film is set to send shivers down your spine as it promises to redefine the genre.
The trailer for Rugna’s fifth feature has been unveiled, offering a glimpse into the terror that awaits audiences. Paris-based Charades, known for their prestige sales and acclaimed films like “Little Girl Blue,” will handle global distribution, and the film will make its debut at the Toronto Film Festival‘s Midnight Madness screenings on September 13.
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Excitingly, Shudder, the premium streaming service for horror under AMC Networks, is teaming up with IFC Films for a theatrical release on October 6. Then, just in time to haunt your Halloween, “When Evil Lurks” will become available as a Shudder Original on October 27.
Rugna’s “Terrified” garnered widespread attention, winning the title of Best Horror Feature at Fantastic Fest in 2017 and even securing remake rights under the guidance of Guillermo del Toro. With “When Evil Lurks,” Rugna promises to once again deliver the heart-pounding suspense and gruesome visuals that horror fans crave.
But why do audiences flock to horror films despite the harsh realities of the world today? According to Rugna, horror movies provide a unique experience by immersing viewers in situations they wouldn’t encounter in real life. These films tap into the fear of the unknown and the fear of death, allowing audiences to explore these sensations from the safety of their cinema seats.
Rugna describes horror films as a form of escapism, a way for viewers to venture into moments and sensations they hope to never encounter in reality. When the credits roll, audiences can return to their lives unharmed, perhaps even with a newfound appreciation for the mundane, like enjoying a simple sandwich.
In “When Evil Lurks,” Rugna shifts from the intimate urban setting of “Terrified” to a vast, desolate rural landscape tainted by a demonic presence that hungers for flesh. The community finds itself trapped and coerced into acts of desperation, with chaos spreading like wildfire.
At the heart of the narrative are two brothers tasked with confronting a possessed corpse after conventional spiritual remedies fail. With law enforcement indifferent to their plight, the brothers must rely on their own wits to combat the encroaching malevolence. As the story unfolds across farmlands and homesteads, an eerie sense of foreboding grips viewers, leaving them with the unsettling feeling that no one will escape unscathed.
“For Shudder, ‘When Evil Lurks’ is set to be a top Halloween pick,” Rugna affirms. He believes that the film offers a freshness that genre enthusiasts constantly seek—a unique experience that reminds them they’re watching something different yet tailor-made for horror aficionados.
“It’s not a film meant for other filmmakers; it’s meant for the audience. That’s how I conceive my cinema, thinking as a spectator, not as a filmmaker. I want the spectators to have a good time, to have something to refresh them,” Rugna concludes.
Prepare to be terrified and thrilled in equal measure as Demián Rugna unleashes “When Evil Lurks” upon unsuspecting audiences, promising a horror experience unlike any other.