We've heard the term "pandemic thriller" a lot recently, but I think the description of the upcoming horror film 18 & Over is the first time I've heard "pandemic slasher". And I have to say, "pandemic slasher" does sound more appealing to me than "pandemic thriller", so the filmmakers made a good choice here.
Shot during the real pandemic, 18 & Over stars and was produced by Ashley Benson of Pretty Little Liars. Benson is also credited with creating the project with writer/director Jimmy Giannopolous and co-writer Diomedes Raul Bermudez. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but we know the story
takes place when quarantine leads to a night of terror.
Benson is joined in the cast by Jon Foster, Jake Weary, Sky Ferreira, Luis Guzman, Winnie Harlow, G Eazy, Duke Nicholson, A$AP Nast, John Robinson, Paris Hilton, and Pamela Anderson. I did not expect those last two names to show up on the cast list.
Coming to us thanks to the Hercules film fund and Rhea Films, 18 & Over was produced by Purpose Film's Bermudez and Artemis Pictures' Siena Oberman, Cassius Corrigan, and Benson. Jamin O'Brien is executive producer.
Giannopolous had this to say about the film:
After deciding to shoot this film in the middle of the pandemic, we wanted to make something that would be fun but still a terrifying slasher for audiences during these tough times. A film relevant to today's issues of a global pandemic, reality shows, isolation, Only Fans, and obsession."
Endeavor Content is handling worldwide sales, and I'm hoping we'll be hearing some distribution news very soon. Benson shared a first look image on her Instagram account: