30 Oct 2024

Dream review for NZ director's unreleased horror film

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 30 October 2024
Coming Home in the Dark director James Ashcroft

Coming Home in the Dark director James Ashcroft Photo: Supplied

New Zealand director James Ashcroft is making a mark on the industry just two films in, and now he's received the best review a horror junkie could ask for.

His unreleased psychological thriller, The Rule of Jenny Pen, has been praised by Stephen King as one of the best movies he's seen this year.

The Owen Marshall adaptation follows a retired Judge's attempts to stop an elderly psychopath from tormenting his home's residents with the child's puppet he employs.

It premiered at Fantastic Fest in Texas, followed by Sitges Film Festival in Spain, both of which awarded leads Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow with best actor titles. Kathryn speaks to James about the film's instant success ahead of its release in New Zealand next year.