Writer/director Brendan Muldowney’s horror film The Cellar won’t be having its world premiere until the SXSX Film Festival next month, but RLJE Films and the Shudder streaming service have already picked up distribution rights. RLJE Films will be giving The Cellar a theatrical release in the United States on April 15th, and on that same day the film will be released through Shudder in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Elisha Cuthbert (The Ranch) and Eoin Macken (Resident Evil: The Final Chapter) star in The Cellar, which was filmed on location in Roscommon, Ireland and tells the story of
Keira Woods (Cuthbert), whose daughter mysteriously vanishes in the cellar of their new house in the country. Keira soon discovers there is an ancient and powerful entity controlling their home that she will have to face or risk losing her family’s souls forever.
Shudder’s Craig Engler had this to say about the distribution deal:
The Cellar is a riveting story that we think will appeal to both horror lovers and broader audiences alike, and we’re delighted to work with RLJE Films to bring it to the widest possible audience. Brendan and this talented team have crafted a dark and haunting tale that we’re excited to share with audiences this April.”
Muldowney added:
Ever since we made the short film The Ten Steps, which The Cellar is based on, I have seen the profound effect and power it has had on audiences. I am really excited to be working with Shudder and RLJE Films in bringing this feature-length version of the nightmare to a wider audience.”
An Irish/Belgian co-production, The Cellar was produced by Conor Barry of Savage Productions and Richard Bolger of Hail Mary Pictures. Benoit Roland of Wrong Men Films was co-producer. Executive producers include Patrick Ewald of Epic Pictures Group, Lesley McKimm of Screen Ireland, John Gleeson and Oisín O’Neill of BCP Asset Management, Sarah Dillon of the WRAP Fund, and Patrick O’Neill of Wildcard Distribution. Screen Ireland, Epic Pictures, BCP Asset Management, The Western Region Audiovisual Producers Fund / WRAP Fund and Wallimage, BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance, and VOO & BETV invested in the production.
A trailer hasn’t been released for The Cellar yet, but we do have a first look image that shows Elisha Cuthbert in character.