Los Angeles, CA – October 14, 2024—Epic Pictures’ specialty horror label DREAD presents “He Never Left. ” The film follows a federal fugitive and his girlfriend as they become targets of the notorious “Pale Face” killer, whose legend has haunted the local community for decades. He Never Left will have a limited theatrical run beginning November 1st, and on November 5th, the film will be available to rent or purchase on video-on-demand (VOD).
“I’m hopeful that ‘He Never Left’ will resonate with audiences on a deeper level than what they might expect,” says writer, director, and co-star James Morris. Co-writer and star Colin Cunningham notes, “These are people already navigating their own personal hell, and Satan just welcomes them to the neighborhood.”
DREAD keeps the Halloween thrills heading into November with “He Never Left,” the second feature film produced by Witching Season Films. “He Never Left” was partially funded by enthusiastic fans in a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign and was shot entirely on location in Fairview, Utah, and Spanish Fork, Utah. The film was an official selection at film festivals, including:
- A Night Of Horror (Best Film Winner)
- Another Hole In The Head (Best Slasher/Splatter Feature Winner)
- Bloodstained Indie Film Festival (Best Horror Feature/Best Actor Winner)
- Days of The Dead (Best Actor Winner)
- Desertscape Film Festival (Best Midnight Movie Winner)
- Ethereal Horror Festival (Best Feature Winner)
- First Glance Film Festival (Best Horror Winner)
- Los Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival (Best Cinematography Winner)
- Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (Best Horror Film/Best Supporting Actor Winner)
- Utah Film Festival (Best Feature/Best Director/Best Supporting Actor Winner)
- Zepstone Film Awards (Best Feature Film/Best Actor/Best Director/Best Supporting Actress Winner)
“As fans of the slasher genre, we wanted to create something that feels both familiar and nostalgic, yet refreshing and different. I’m thrilled for audiences to experience the ride we’ve crafted in “He Never Left,” says co-writer and producer Michael Ballif.
Epic Pictures CEO Patrick Ewald says, “‘He Never Left’ is a brilliant homage to ‘80s/‘90s slashers with a shocking twist. The Pale Face killer, crafted by visionary James Morris, is the new face of evil.”
The official synopsis for the film reads: After hearing strange noises coming from an adjoining motel room, a federal fugitive and his girlfriend become targets of the notorious “Pale Face” killer, whose legend has haunted the local community for decades.
“He Never Left” is directed by James Morris (“The Witching Season”) and written by James Morris, Michael Ballif (“They Live Inside Us,” “The Witching Season”) and Colin Cunningham (“Falling Skies,” “Preacher”). Starring Colin Cunningham, Jessica Staples (“The Deceiver,” “Dreams of Allon”), James Morris, Sean Hunter (“Soulless,” “17 Miracles”), Charla Bocchicchio (“The Chosen,” “Yellowstone,” “Blood & Oil”), David E. McMahon (“The Inspectors,” “Teacher Shortage”), Jake Watters (“Saints & Soldiers,” “They Live Inside Us”), Will McAllister (“Worst Prom Ever,” “It Came From the Lab”). Produced by Michael Ballif and James Morris.