Overlook Film Festival To Open With 'Renfield' And Close With 'Evil Dead Rise'
New Orleans, a city truly deserving of its spooky reputation, once again prepares for the Overlook Film Festival. The 4-day celebration of horror will come together in the heart of the French Quarter and is a much anticipated event that will open with the world premiere of Renfield, and close with a screening of Evil Dead Rise.
The Overlook Film Festival begins at the end of the month on March 30th, opening with the world premiere of Universal's comedic horror, Renfield. Starring Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, and Awkwafina, Renfield will tell the story of Dracula's loyal servant who grows weary of his servitude, choosing life and love instead. The evening event will showcase a Q&A with both the film's director, Chris McKay, and star Nicolas Cage, for what should be an insightful experience for both the audience and those involved with the film.
Ending the spooky celebration will be the most chilling announced for this year, Evil Dead Rise. Seriously...if you have not seen the red band trailer yet, you need to do that, right now! The latest entry in the Evil Dead saga, from writer and director Lee Cronin, tells a fresh, new tale centered around the family, for what should be a blood-soaked entry to the franchise that is sure to chill audiences to the bone. Produced by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell, Evil Dead Rise will star Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan, Morgan Davies, and Nell Fisher.
That's not all to look forward to when attending the Overlook Film Festival. The weekend event will also include all kinds of parties, live music, immersive art, and more, featuring the talents of Grady Hendrix, Zabrecky, SQÜRL, THOU, and a closing night Halloween party presented by SAGIndie. A more detailed list of events to look forward to at the Overlook Film Festival can be found below:
Opening & Closing Films Renfield - United States, 2023 - (World Premiere) Director: Chris McKay
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez and Shohreh Aghdashloo
Evil doesn’t span eternity without a little help. In this modern monster tale, Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula, played by Oscar winner Nicolas Cage. Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there’s a life outside the shadow of the Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.
Evil Dead Rise - United States, 2023 Director: Lee Cronin Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher
Moving the action out of the woods and into the city, Evil Dead Rise tells a twisted tale of two estranged sisters, played by Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland, whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.
Feature Film Presentations
Aberrance - Mongolia, 2022 Director: Baatar Batsukh Cast: Erkhembayar Ganbat, Selenge Chadraabal, Yalalt Namsrai
When a couple rents a cabin deep in the woods, their odd behavior causes their nosy neighbor to grow suspicious, even as he’s dealing with issues of his own. With wonderfully inventive camerawork that recalls early Raimi or Coens, the first Mongolian film ever presented at Overlook is a wild ride.
Accused - United Kingdom, 2022 - (World Premiere) Director: Philip Barantini Cast: Chaneil Kukar, Lauryn Ajufo Alone at a remote country house, a young man (Chaneil Kukar, Sex Education) watches helplessly as a social media frenzy wrongly identifies him as a wanted terrorist. When online threats lead to an IRL home invasion, he must fight for his life in this tense thriller of virtual witch-hunts and false accusations.
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster - United States, 2023 Director: Bomani J. Story Cast: Laya DeLeon Hayes, Denzel Whitaker, Chad Coleman, Reilly Brooke Stith, Keith Sean Holliday, Amani Summer Boyles, Edem Atsu-Swanzy