Amicus Productions is proud to announce the premiere of its first feature film in over four decades. In the Grip of Terror, directed by Lawrie Brewster of British Horror Studio and Hex Studios fame, will unleash a brand-new horror portmanteau upon audiences in Romford on Saturday 24 May, at the Romford Film Festival.
With the event now less than two weeks away, fans of Amicus are encouraged to book their tickets early. The screening will be attended by a new generation of Amicus stars, including the glamorous Megan Tremethick, dubbed “Miss Amicus” by fans, and the dashing swashbuckler Novarro Ramon.
In the Grip of Terror features three chilling segments inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft and E. F. Benson. The cast is led by legendary Golden Globe nominee Jane Merrow, who starred opposite Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Hopkins in The Lion in Winter, alongside modern horror icons such as Laurence R. Harvey of The Human Centipede series, and respected thespians Michael Daviot and Jonathan Hansler. They are joined by a rising pool of emerging talent, including Dorian Ashbourne, Sam Barclay, and Nick Ford – recently described as “Britain’s indie answer to Nicolas Cage.”
Produced by Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly, In the Grip of Terror was made in collaboration with the Subotsky family, descendants of the late Amicus founder Milton Subotsky. This special partnership, forged through a shared respect for the Amicus legacy, has brought together Sergei Subotsky and Brewster to create a film that feels authentic and rooted in the bygone era of classic British horror.
Lawrie Brewster himself will be attending the Romford Film Festival on Saturday 24 May, along with many of the film’s stars. He said:
The opportunity to resurrect Amicus Productions with Sergei Subotsky and our fantastic team of artists at the British Horror Studio has been a wonderful experience. With so much of the industry focused on commercial viability, it’s been refreshing to forge an alternative path that puts traditional horror first – especially within a uniquely British context, with all its eccentricities and wiles. We’re on a mission to create a second golden age of British horror, rooted in the sensibilities that made the classic films of Amicus, Hammer and Tigon stand the test of time.
In the Grip of Terror was filmed on set and largely takes place within a cavernous hospital, set in what appears to be the late 1960s, albeit with a dash of anachronistic flair. In many ways, the film offers a defiant response to current horror trends, from the rampant exploitation of public domain IPs (there are reportedly five Popeye films in production) to slicker, politically-charged modern horrors.
Is that kind of horror wrong? Of course not (in fact, we recommend one of them… produced by Scottish indies called Shiver Me Timbers). But In the Grip of Terror stands apart as a bold attempt to revive Gothic and Victorian-inspired horror at a time when such styles are far from mainstream. That doesn’t appear to concern Brewster in the slightest.
Amicus Productions, along with Hex Studios, has been working to develop the British Horror Studio project and community precisely because we’ve chosen to reject many of the tropes and cultural trends we see in modern horror. Not because we don’t enjoy them, but because we want to stake out our own path. If it’s old, covered in dust… it will probably find a warm home with us.
The film was brought to life through one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns ever run for a British horror project. It garnered support from Oscar-winning practical effects legend Dave Elsey, and from beloved YouTuber Stuart Ashen, who generously backed the film despite launching his own horror crowdfunder for Turn Back.
Fans have followed the film’s progress through the free-to-join Patreon page, The British Horror Studio, which has become the digital home not only for Amicus Productions, but also for Brewster and Daly’s long-running horror imprint, Hex Studios – now celebrating its fifteenth anniversary.
For those who don’t want to miss the first new Amicus Productions horror film in over 40 years, we recommend heading over to the Romford Film Festival website to book a day or season pass now and avoid disappointment.
To follow the journey of Amicus and the revival of British horror, fans can join our free Patreon community at britishhorrorstudio.com.
Learn more about Lawrie Brewster
Lawrie Brewster is a veteran horror film producer with 15 years of experience. Lawrie 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.
You can also follow Lawrie Brewster on his Official Website at www.lawriebrewster.com
Lawrie Brewster recently published a series of fascinating articles, including his five top tips for indie filmmakers, his thoughts on the current state of film distribution, the creation of the British Horror Studio project, his journey from outsider to filmmaker, and his staunch defence of 1980s-style Sword and Sorcery.