1:10 pm today

The Rule of Jenny Pen director James Ashcroft

From Afternoons, 1:10 pm today
Still from the trailer of The Rule of Jenny Pen

Geoffrey Rush in 'The Rule of Jenny Pen' Photo: Still

Here's one for the horror junkies - Thursday is the long-awaited release day for a local film which has already had global acclaim.

The Rule of Jenny Pen follows a retired Judge's attempts to stop an elderly psychopath from tormenting his home's residents with the child's puppet he employs.

Filmed largely in Taupō, it's an adaptation of a short story by New Zealand author Owen Marshall.

It stars Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow and is directed by James Ashcroft.

Jesse talks to James about the making of the film and directing two acing greats.