Shudder and IFC Acquire U.S. Rights for Dafne Keen’s Spooky Teen Horror ‘Whistle’

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The newest movie directed by Corin Hardy, known for his work on “The Nun”, has been purchased by Independent Film Company (IFC Films) and Shudder. Titled “Whistle“, this film features stars such as Dafne Keen from “Logan”, Nick Frost, Sky Yang, Sophie Nélisse, and Percy Hynes White. While a release date has yet to be announced, it is expected to hit theaters first, followed by streaming on Shudder, an exclusive platform dedicated to horror content.

According to a report by Deadline, the movie has been picked up for U.S. distribution by two significant players in horror film distribution – Shudder and IFC. Adam Koehler, Director of Acquisitions and Productions for Shudder, IFC, and RLJE Films, is thrilled about this deal to bring “Whistle” to viewers.

Corin Hardy is exceptionally skilled in his field, and we’re thrilled to share his chilling creation with moviegoers nationwide. Through ‘Whistle’, he’s crafted a brutal and gory spectacle that promises to be one of the most terrifying and memorable horror films in recent cinema history.

Hardy has had quite a bit of experience with horror films. His first major work, released in 2015 as “The Hallow“, was a critically acclaimed folk horror story that opened doors for him in the Hollywood film industry. Later, he was chosen by Peter Safran and James Wan to direct “The Nun” from the Conjuring universe. Despite mixed reviews from critics, audiences seemed to enjoy Hardy’s interpretation of the spin-off, which grossed $366 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film in the Conjuring series. Following this success, he directed several episodes for the action series “Gangs of London“, and is now fully engaged with “Whistle“. Hardy expressed his enthusiasm about securing the distribution deal.

The movie, titled “Whistle“, resonates deeply with me due to its raw, rebellious vibe reminiscent of my beloved genre flicks from childhood. The allure of the Death Whistle’s enigmatic lore and its potential for crafting diverse, captivating, and chilling deaths drew me in. Since this movie is tailored for a grand cinematic experience, I’m excitedly counting down the days until audiences join me in experiencing it on the big screen with IFC and Shudder!

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Whistle is a film that stemmed from a screenplay written by Owen Egerton, inspired by one of his own short stories. Filming occurred between 2023 and 2024. Since then, the producers have been working diligently to secure distributors for this project. Here’s a brief outline of the story:)

A motley crew of unsuspecting teenagers from high school accidentally find an enchanted Aztec Death Whistle. They soon realize that when blown, the haunting sound it produces brings forth their impending doom to chase them. With the death toll climbing, the friends frantically delve into the history of this lethal trinket in a last-ditch attempt to halt the chilling sequence of events they’ve unleashed.

Shudder and IFC Films Lead the Way in Indie Horror

Smaller production and distribution companies such as A24 and NEON are well-known for focusing on films that larger companies often overlook. On the other hand, Shudder and IFC Films have made a name for themselves by discovering hidden gems within the horror genre that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle during film festivals. Movies like The Ugly Stepsister, The Rule of Jenny Pen and Azrael are recent examples of films that could have easily slipped under the radar without the backing of these companies, who continue to champion horror storytelling even without the extensive budgets offered by major studios.

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2025-05-22 04:26