The Rule of Jenny Pen is a 2024 New Zealand psychological horror film[2][3] based on Owen Marshall's short story. Directed by James Ashcroft and written by Ashcroft and Eli Kent, it stars John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, and George Henare. The film is set to be released on 7 March 2025.

Cast

Production

In 2023, it was announced that Geoffrey Rush would star opposite John Lithgow in the psychological thriller.[4][5] It is an adaptation of Owen Marshall's short story.

The Rule of Jenny Pen was filmed in Taupō, Wellington and Lower Hutt, New Zealand, in 2023. Author Owen Marshall appeared as an extra in a courtroom scene.[6]

Release

The film was shown at Fantastic Fest on 19 September 2024, and at Sitges Film Festival in October 2024.[7] In September 2024, the film was acquired by IFC Films / Shudder for distribution in North America.[8] It is set to be released on 7 March 2025 in New Zealand and Australia by Galaxy Pictures, a distribution label created by Australia's Rialto and the UK's Vertigo Releasing.[9] The film is set to be released on 7 March in the United States,[10] and a week later in the UK and Ireland on 14 March.[1]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[11]

Reviewer Alex Billington from FirstShowing described the film as "an instant horror classic".[12]

Awards

Ashcroft won best director at the Fantastic Fest in Austin in September 2024.[7] Lithgow and Rush shared the best actor award at Spain’s Sitges Film Festival in October 2024.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Rule of Jenny Pen (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  2. ^ https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/john-lithgow-and-geoffrey-rush-talk-horror-in-the-rule-of-jenny-pen/
  3. ^ https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-rule-of-jenny-pen-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdi4mjqz
  4. ^ Leffler, Rebecca (16 May 2023). "Charades, CAA break out thriller 'The Rule Of Jenny Pen' with Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. ^ Vlessing, Etan (24 February 2025). "John Lithgow Terrorizes Geoffrey Rush in The Rule of Jenny Pen Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  6. ^ White, Mike (16 December 2023). "Filming wraps for Kiwi movie with Hollywood stars". The Post. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b White, Mike (21 October 2024). "Another international award for new Kiwi film The Rule of Jenny Pen". The Post. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  8. ^ Lang, Brent (12 September 2024). "Shudder Buys The Rule of Jenny Pen, Thriller With John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  9. ^ Frater, Patrick (27 October 2023). "New Film Distributor Galaxy Pictures to Launch in Australia, New Zealand (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  10. ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (12 February 2025). "John Lithgow Torments Geoffrey Rush on The Rule of Jenny Pen Poster". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  11. ^ "The Rule of Jenny Pen". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  12. ^ Billington, Alex. "Sitges 2024: 'The Rule of Jenny Pen' is an Instantly Iconic Horror Film". Firstshowing.net. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  13. ^ De La Fuente, Anna Marie (13 October 2024). "John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush and Kristine Froseth Win Acting Awards at Spain's 57th Sitges Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rule_of_Jenny_Pen
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