Los Angeles, CA. (2004) -- Finally, a horror film that proves they do still make 'em like they used to. Carving out a notable niche in the genre, by paying stylish tribute to tension-filled slasher films of the past, Malevolence has proven itself an audience favorite, taking the awards for Best Feature at the New York City Horror Film Festival and Best 35mm Feature at the Long Island Film Festival. Now this horror film for horror buffs, which Fangoria touted as, "a stylish film" that is a "homage to the likes of Halloween." is poised to bring malevolent evil back into the mainstream in 2004, with limited release in Philadelphia, New York and Long Island.
The brainchild of writer/producer/director Steven Mena, Malevolence is, in his own words, a story big enough for three films. After many years spent raising financing, dealing with lost locations, crew mishaps and many more obstacles, the project was finally completed. For Mena, who wanted to "make a horror film that was actually scary, rather than funny or about kids having sex and doing drugs," it was a true labor of love.
"I wanted my first film to be a horror film, because that is my favorite genre," he says. "I wanted to create a film that captured dark suspense and fear of the films I grew up with in the 70s and 80s. Also, it's the only type of film where a low budget can actually enhance the film's credibility. The kids want their horror raw and edgy, not watered down by studio executives. Considering the ultra-low budget for Malevolence, it doesn't get any more raw."
Like many horror pioneers before him--from George Romero to John Carpenter--Mena put the experience he gained as a fan of classic horror to good use, writing, producing, scouting locations, financing, casting, catering, directing, editing, scoring his own music and even creating the official website. The result is an independent horror film unlike any to come out of Hollywood in decades, paying tribute to those very pioneers whose footsteps he followed in carving out his own wholly original, and now award-winning, entry to the genre.
Synopsis
Created as the middle section of a three-part trilogy, Malevolence takes place ten years after the kidnapping of Martin Bristol, snatched from a backyard swing at age six and forced to witness the unspeakable crimes of a deranged madman. Now, in September of 1999, a bungled robbery attempt by ex-cons Max (Keith Chambers) and Kurt (Richard Glover), along with Max's sister Marylin (Heather Magee) and her husband Julian (Brandon Johnson), has resulted in the kidnapping of a young woman, Samantha (Samantha Harrison) and her daughter, Courtney (Courtney Bortolone). Attempting to escape, Courtney takes refuge in a nearby abandoned house, unaware of what is lurking within. As the robbers evaluate their situation and Samantha becomes more and more hysterical, a faceless killer begins stalking the group, leading to a struggle for survival and the discovery of one of the most hideous crimes in America.
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