Director Lawrie Brewster’s In the Grip of Terror is the first true Amicus Productions’ film in almost 50 years. That’s right — it’s been 47 years since the studio released The People That Time Forgot and subsequently disappeared into the shadows, waiting for the right time to resurface and treat us to more spooky offerings. Well, my fellow ghouls, the wait is almost over, and In the Grip of Terror will continue the traditions set forth by the studio in the past, while forging a brand new path that will guide it into the future.
To bring the film to life, Brewster, along with his business partner Sarah Daly, worked closely with the family of Amicus’ original co-founder Milton Subotsky. The story ideas — which we will look at shortly — were suggested by his widow, Fiona Subotsky. The film’s title, meanwhile, was considered for one of Milton’s own productions back in the day. Sergei Subotsky, who we interviewed about Amicus’ past, present, and future, also served as a consultant throughout the entire process.
With that in mind, what’s the plot of the film? Which legendary horror authors’ stories will be adapted? Who’s in the cast? More importantly, when will Amicus’ big comeback grace your screens? Join us in the crypt as we answer these questions.
When Will Lawrie Brewster’s In the Grip of Terror Be Released?
In the Grip of Terror was announced in 2023. Since then, Lawrie Brewster and the folks at Amicus Productions have been hard at work making the film, building elaborate sets, shooting the movie, and burning the midnight oil in post-production.
The good news? The studio’s long-awaited comeback is set to creep its way onto screens in the third quarter of 2025 – but what can horror fans expect from Amicus’ first film in over 40 years?
What’s the plot of In the Grip of Terror?
Amicus Productions dabbled in all types of films back in the day – teen musicals, Doctor Who flicks, pulpy fantasy adventures, spy thrillers, you name it. Mind you, the studio is mostly celebrated for its horror anthologies – Asylum, Tales from the Crypt, Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors, and the like – which adapted ghastly stories from EC Comics and authors like Robert Bloch. In the Grip of Terror keeps that tradition alive, bringing to life more classic shockers in a portmanteau style, with a chilling focus on medical horror.
In the Grip of Terror serves up four spine-tingling shorts from some legendary authors, all of which explore the theme of human curiosity colliding with the supernatural. In “The One Way Ward,” inspired by “Cool Air” by H.P. Lovecraft, a young nurse named Charlotte begins her first day at a mysterious hospital that houses a sealed-off ward — the so-called One-Way Ward, where patients are mysteriously transported at night and never seen again. Determined to uncover the truth, Charlotte sneaks her way inside and meets a brilliant but disturbing doctor conducting research into a cure that stretches beyond the bounds of human sanity.
Ambrose Bierce’s works also provide the inspiration for two segments. In “A Diagnosis of Death,” a brash American medical researcher, Hawver, arrives at a hospital in search of his mentor, Dr. Mannering — only to discover that the man, along with his strange research, has gone missing. Perhaps his old classmates who remained behind hold the key, as Dr. Mayley and Dr. Johnson seem to have a few secrets of their own. Will Hawver uncover the truth before it’s too late?
“A Watcher by the Dead” follows Mancher, a young medical student who makes a wager with his gambling-mad dean of the university, betting that he can spend the night in a creepy crypt alone with a corpse without losing his mind. The dean is convinced otherwise, but willing to pass him as a grade a medical doctor if he succeeds. But wil he?
In the wraparound story, we meet Charlotte, Mancher, Dr. Mayley, and Hawver, who find themselves together in a seemingly abandoned hospital. At last, a mysterious voice over the tannoy guides them to a forgotten basement, where the mysterious Dr. Graves reveals himself and delivers a chilling secret prognosis meant for each and every one of them.
The Stars of In the Grip of Terror
In The Grip of Terror is led by established genre veterans and rising stars, some of whom you’ll know from other Lawrie Brewster productions. Up first is Laurence R. Harvey, who plays the aforementioned Dr. Graves, and in doing so, joins the likes of Peter Cushing and Ralph Richardson in the class of actors who’ve portrayed wraparound hosts in Amicus horror anthologies.
Jane Merrow — a Golden Globe nominee who starred alongside Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in Night of the Big Heat — portrays Matron Margaret in the “One-Way Ward” segment. Her other credits include The Lion in Winter (for which she received her Golden Globe nomination), Hammer’s The Hands of the Ripper, and The Hounds of the Baskerville.
Merrow stars alongside Megan Tremethick, aka Miss Amicus, who plays Nurse Charlotte Gibbon. If you’re a fan of indie horror and genre films (and you obviously are if you’re reading this website), you’ll recognise Tremethick from Queen Ginnarra, Ghost Crew, The Slave and the Sorcerer, Demon Knight, and the upcoming J-horror and ASMR-inspired Spoiling You, which she stars in, directed, and co-wrote. Not only that, but she’ll also bring her talents Lawrie Brewster’s The Slave and the General and Black Chariot, both of which are slated for release in the near future.
Rounding off the cast are Jonathan Hansler, Michael Daviot, Nick Ford, Rick Pate, Dorian Ashbourne, Novarro Ramon, Sam Barclay, and writer-director Brewster, who returns to the screen after his tantalising turn as Arlo the Torturer in The Slave and the Sorcerer (just don’t expect to see him to appear quite as scantily clad in this one).
Who’s Writing and Directing In the Grip of Terror?
Lawrie Brewster, a veteran horror film producer with 15 years of experience, is writing and directing In the Grip of Terror. Brewster leads Hex Studios, serves as president of Amicus Productions, and runs the British Horror Studio project in collaboration with filmmakers from around the world.
Brewster’s other directorial features include Lord of Tears, The Unkindness of Ravens, Dragon Knight, The Slave and the Sorcerer, and The Reign of Queen Ginnarra. You can also read all about his journey from outsider to independent horror success story.
You can also follow Lawrie Brewster on his Official Website at www.lawriebrewster.com