Stephen Cognetti has wrote and directed every entry in the Hell House LLC found footage horror franchise, which began in 2015 and consists of Hell House LLC, Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel, Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire, Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, and the recently released Hell House LLC: Lineage, which he has said might be the final (but scariest) chapter for this series. While we wait to see if that franchise will continue, Deadline reports that Cognetti is moving on to different subject matter, teaming with Longlegs producer Dave Caplan for a “nightmarish folklore” horror film called A Body in the Woods. Emma Roberts (American Horror Story) has signed on to star.
Synopsis
Roberts will be taking on the role of Alice Lincoln, a woman at the turn of the century living deep in the Marshall Woods, a place long-plagued by legends of a menacing witch. When Alice is left alone at her remote cabin to keep vigil over the body of an unidentified mine worker, unsettling disturbances in the dark lead Alice to fear the corpse may not be fully at rest. The appearance of a silent woman at the edge of the forest road traps Alice in a waking nightmare between the growing evil within and the nameless terror waiting beyond her door.
Cognetti will be directing A Body in the Woods from his own screenplay. Production is set to begin in September and Caplan of C2 Motion Picture Group will provide the financing.
Statements
Caplan provided the following statement: “Stephen has consistently proven he can create terrifying, elevated immersive horror experiences. With Emma in the lead, A Body in the Woods is an undeniable package.“
Cognetti added, “Emma brings an intelligence and emotional fearlessness that elevates everything she touches. She understands horror on a cellular level—how to balance vulnerability, strength, and terror. My goal with A Body in the Woods is to deliver an elevated horror film that tests the limits of fear—not just for our lead character, but for the audience sitting in the dark with her. I want people to leave the theater unsettled, questioning what they saw, and feeling like they survived something.“
Manifest Pictures is representing pre-sales at the European Film Market. They said, “We’re honored to be working with a producer that has the pedigree of Dave Caplan and a director with a consistent track record of terrifying audiences around the world.“
Are you interested in seeing Emma Roberts in a folk horror film from the director of the Hell House franchise? Share your thoughts on A Body in the Woods by leaving a comment below.
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