David Farnor | On 03, Sep 2020

“I run my mind. It doesn’t run me.” That’s the sound of Amazon welcoming us to the Blumhouse with four new original films – and the first trailer for the creepy quartet is wonderfully unsettling stuff.

The online giant announced its new partnership with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse back in 2018, with a slate of eight unsettling genre movies from the producers of Get Out, Whiplash, The Gift and The Purge. The first four are The Lie, directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud (The Killing, 7 Seconds), Black Box directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born with It). They will both debut on Amazon Prime Video on 6th October. They will be followed on 13th October by Evil Eye, from Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani (A Day’s Work, Jinn), and Nocturne, written and directed by Zu Quirke (Zugzwang, Ghosting).

Here’s the video – or read on below for the full synopses:

 

Welcome to the Blumhouse: Amazon unveils first four films for October release

14th August 2020

Amazon Prime Video is getting ready to welcome film fans to the Blumhouse with four original films from the horror studio powerhouse lined up for this October.

The online giant announced its new partnership with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse back in 2018, with a slate of eight unsettling genre movies from the producers of Get Out, Whiplash, The Gift and The Purge. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centred around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces.

The slate marks the first ever programme of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected and the films will showcase up-and-coming talent alongside established actors.

Now, we’ve got our first details of the initial four movies in the slate: The Lie directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud (The Killing, 7 Seconds) and Black Box directed by up-and-coming writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born with It), will both debut on Amazon Prime Video on 6th October. A week later on 13th October will be Evil Eye, from young directors Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani (A Day’s Work, Jinn) and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, White Tiger), and Nocturne written and directed by filmmaker Zu Quirke (Zugzwang, Ghosting), making her feature film debut.

“We are excited to launch Welcome to the Blumhouse with this exhilarating and provocative slate,” said Julie Rapaport, Co-Head of Movies for Amazon Studios. “These chilling stories have something for everyone – ready to fright and delight genre fans and newcomers alike – and we are excited to share them with our global Prime Video customers.”

“We’re beyond excited that the visions of these talented filmmakers will finally be seen by genre fans around the world, especially during this time when people are seeking to escape and be entertained. And we love the innovative idea of programming like the classic drive-in or repertory theater experience,” added Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold, co-presidents Blumhouse Television. “Amazon have been incredible partners, linking arms and supporting the creative visions throughout the process of making these films.”

Here’s the full line-up and synopses:

The Lie

The Lie is written and directed by Veena Sud, and stars Mireille Enos (The Killing), Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) and Joey King (The Kissing Booth 2, The Act). When their teenaged daughter confesses to impulsively killing her best friend, two desperate parents attempt to cover up the horrific crime, leading them into a complicated web of lies and deception. Produced by Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Christopher Tricarico, and Jason Blum. Executive produced by Howard Green, Kim Hodgert, Jeanette Volturno, Couper Samuelson and Aaron Barnett.

Black Box

Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born With It) and script by Osei-Kuffour Jr. and Stephen Herman, Black Box stars Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World 3, The Circle), Phylicia Rashad (Creed), Amanda Christine (Colony), Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi, The 24th), Charmaine Bingwa (Trees of Peace, Little Sista), and Troy James (The Flash, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark). After losing his wife and his memory in a car accident, a single father undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Jay Ellis, Aaron Bergman, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Mynette Louie and William Marks.

Evil Eye

Based off the award-winning, best-selling Audible Original production from writer Madhuri Shekar, Evil Eye is directed by Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani, and stars Sarita Choudhury (Mississippi Masala, Lady in the Water), Sunita Mani (GLOW), Omar Maskati (Unbelievable), and Bernard White (Silicon Valley). A seemingly perfect romance turns into a nightmare when a mother becomes convinced her daughter’s new boyfriend has a dark connection to her own past. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Guy Stodel, Anjula Acharia, Emilia Lapenta and Kate Navin.

Nocture

Nocturne is written and directed by Zu Quirke in her breakout feature debut. Starring Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale, Player’s Table), Madison Iseman (Jumanji: The Next Level, Annabelle Comes Home), Jacques Colimon (The Society) and Ivan Shaw (Insecure, Casual). Inside the halls of an elite arts academy, a timid music student begins to outshine her more accomplished and outgoing twin sister when she discovers a mysterious notebook belonging to a recently deceased classmate. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Matthew Myers and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly.

 

Amazon teams up with Blumhouse for eight-movie deal

16th November 2018

Amazon is teaming up with Blumhouse to make eight original movies.

The horror production company is barely 18 years old, but has rapidly grown to become a major force in the low-budget, indie arena: its CV includes everything from Insidious and Paranormal Activity to Sinister, Happy Death Day and The Gift. Get Out (pictured above) has seen them graduate to Oscar-winning profile, while The Purge has proven their ability to spawn franchises, and films such as Whiplash has helped to round out its stable to more than just genre flicks.

Blumhouse has therefore become a sought-after partner for other industry players. In 2014, the company inked a 10-year deal with Universe Pictures, and it has also teamed up with Netflix for both Indian horror series Ghoul and newly released thriller Cam. Now, it’s teaming up with Amazon Studios for a run of exclusive movies.

The eight-picture deal with the online giant will see Blumhouse produce feature-length thrillers from a diverse group of filmmakers, aiming to offer Amazon Prime Video subscribers worldwide elevated thrillers and stories with dark themes.

“Jason Blum has built an empire based on fear, shock and all things spine-tingling,” Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke said in a statement announcing the deal. “He has redefined the horror genre for fans who are hungry for high concept scares. Whether it’s found footage, a socially conscious terror comedy or a pure sinister adrenaline ride, he reinvented and infused the genre with cultural relevancy.”

The first broad deal for Amazon Studios focusing on feature films, it follows a string of overall deals with individual creators, such as Robert Kirkman and Neil Gaiman, mostly with an eye to developing TV projects.

“We are delighted Amazon is entrusting Blumhouse to deliver its signature thrills and chills to its global audience through this deal,” said Blum. “This is a great opportunity for Blumhouse Television to empower underrepresented filmmakers offering a fresh take on the dark genres loved by fans the world over.”

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