We first shared the trailer for writer/director Keith Thomas's supernatural horror film THE VIGIL back in July, at which time there wasn't a solid U.S. release date. Now we know when the film will be available to watch in the U.S.: IFC Midnight has picked up the U.S. distribution rights and are planning to release THE VIGIL on February 26, 2021.
Said to be "steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology", the film plays out over the course of one evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood.
Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante to take on the responsibility of an overnight “shomer,” fulfilling the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member. Shortly after arriving at the recently departed’s dilapidated house to sit the vigil, Yakov begins to realize that something is very, very wrong.
Dave Davis, Malky Goldman, Menashe Lustig, Fred Melamed, and Lynn Cohen star.
Thomas described the film as
a real passion project. Not only for me but our whole team and I’m excited to see how the themes of the film resonate with American audiences. I’m also honored to collaborate with IFC on this release. They have a distinguished record of putting out thought-provoking genre films and their passion for THE VIGIL is palpable."
Arianna Bocco, IFC's EVP of Acquisitions and Productions, said,
We could not be more thrilled to partner with our longtime friends at Boulderlight on bringing this unique and truly scary horror film to U.S. audiences. Keith Thomas is an incredible filmmaker, who with THE VIGIL, brings a fresh take on the supernatural genre with something we have never seen before."
THE VIGIL sounds interesting to me, I look forward to check it out. While this movie heads toward its release date, Thomas is gearing up to direct a new adaptation of Stephen King's FIRESTARTER for Blumhouse. The previous adaptation of FIRESTARTER can be viewed at THIS LINK.