UK-based production company Hereford Films is getting into the horror business, aiming to create a slate of genre films that will mix "the best elements" of Hammer and Blumhouse – as Hereford CEO Jonathan Sothcott puts it, they're aiming to make "unashamedly populist, high-concept and modestly budgeted horror films that will not only stand out in the market, but haunt audiences' imaginations long after the end credits." That's a good result to be aiming for.
Hereford's horror endeavors will be starting with TORMENTED, the story of
teenager Ashley Loren, who — in the aftermath of a tragic car accident — is haunted by nightmares of her dead sister, and must uncover her town’s dark past in the hope of vanquishing the malevolent spirit that terrorizes her from beyond the grave.
Adam Stephen Kelly will be directing from his own screenplay, which Sothcott calls one of the best genre scripts he has ever read. Kelly says his story deals with sleep paralysis and "an incredibly dark chapter in American history".
Louisa Connolly-Burnham has signed on to play the lead role. The actress has experienced sleep paralysis herself and horror is one of her favorite genres, so this could be a case of perfect casting.
It will be very interesting to see how Hereford's attempts at horror turn out. The company is currently securing financing and is working on a multi-territory distribution deal with an international distributor.
Titles of other Hereford horror projects include AURA, PENTAGRAM, DRACULA: NEW BLOOD, and WE STILL DIE THE OLD WAY.