As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets that familiar crisp bite, horror fans know what's coming: the season of the witch. And this year, it arrives with a vengeance in The Heretiks, a new film that blends home invasion thrills with dark sorcery. The movie is set to make its world premiere at Fantastic Fest this week, and we've got an exclusive first look at its chilling new poster, crafted by the legendary horror artist Creepy Duck.
The poster is a striking piece of art, featuring the ominous silhouettes of a coven against a blood-red backdrop, their forms stretching like the fingers of a malevolent hand. It's a fitting visual for a film that promises to be a terrifying ride. Creepy Duck, known for their work on iconic franchises like Saw and Scream, has outdone themselves with this one, capturing the film's sinister tone perfectly.
The Heretiks centers on Ada (Josie Wert), a disaffected teenager whose Halloween night takes a nightmarish turn when a coven of witches, led by the fanatical Neve (Tess Williams), invades her home. Their goal: to sacrifice Ada's little sister, Mabel (Ava Mae Seidensticker), in a ritual that will awaken an ancient evil and bring about the end of the world. With time running out, Ada and her friend Wesley (Luke Speakman, fresh off his breakout role in Weapons) must team up with Cai (Kimberly Epstein), a renegade witch who has defected from the coven, to stop the apocalypse.
The film is directed by Gregg Bishop, known for Dance of the Dead, and written by the duo of Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski, who previously brought us The Night House and the 2022 Hellraiser remake. The trio previously collaborated on the 2016 horror film Siren, so they're no strangers to the genre. Produced by Brad Miska (V/H/S), Chris White (The Backrooms), Alexander A. Motlagh (The Signal), and Ehud and Ariel Bleiberg of Bleiberg Entertainment, The Heretiks has a pedigree that horror aficionados will appreciate.
For those looking to get into the Halloween spirit early, this is a must-watch. The film's blend of supernatural terror and intimate family drama promises to be both heart-pounding and emotionally resonant. And with the festival circuit heating up, The Heretiks is poised to become a standout of the season.
If you're a fan of cosmic horror or just love a good witch story, this is one to keep on your radar. The film will also have its European premiere at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain this October, so international audiences won't have to wait long to catch it.
For now, feast your eyes on the exclusive poster above, and get ready for a Halloween night that will haunt your dreams. The Heretiks premieres at Fantastic Fest on September 19, and we can't wait to see what Bishop, Collins, and Piotrowski have cooked up for us.
