TV & MOVIES
Kevin Wayne Directs ‘Hellbilly Hollow,’ a Throwback Killer Film Shot at Real Haunted Attraction
Balle Balle Radio™ Entertainment Desk
“Hellbilly Hollow,” a slasher set in the South, filmed at the working Hellbilly Hollow haunted house attraction located in Vincent, Alabama, will arrive in select U.S. theaters on September 25, Atlas Distribution Company announced. Bald Man Films and Todd Slater’s Convoke Media released the first trailer this week, with a separate red-band cut also circulating.
The movie joins a recent surge of retro-style slashers that evoke the spirit of cult classics like “Terrifier” and “Friday the 13th” cycle — films that lean on practical effects and a stripped-down killer-stalks-victims structure rather than franchise mythology. “Hellbilly Hollow” follows that same playbook, but its production notes point to a more literal kind of authenticity: rather than building a haunt on a soundstage, the filmmakers shot inside the working Hellbilly Hollow attraction itself, using its existing carnival-style set pieces — including a Wack-a-Troll game, a High Striker, Acid Darts and a Car Dunk sequence — engineered for the film by executive producer and production designer Mike Denard.
The film is directed by Kevin Wayne, known for “The Magnificent Seven” and “Outer Banks,” who also co-stars alongside actor, producer and rock musician Kurt Deimer (“Halloween,” “Scared to Death”). The film’s dual antagonists—christened Tickles and Bull—drive the narrative. The soundtrack pairs eight original Deimer compositions with an original score by Roy Mayorga from Ministry; sound design comes from Tom Boykin, whose credits include “John Wick: Chapter 4” and “The Last of Us.”
The cast also includes Danny Vinson, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Megan Alexandrea Weaver, Hallie Shepherd, Trey Miller and Keller Fornes. David Brower serves as director of photography, and the script comes from writer Bernadette Chapman. Producers include Deimer and Slater, with an executive producer roster that includes Michael T. Clarke, Denard, Andy Gould, David Miller, Tim Miller, James Srygley, Wayne and Brandon Evans.
Atlas Distribution Company has not detailed how many theaters will carry the film or whether a wider rollout follows the September 25 opening.
– Cinematic Red PR
Studio CarryOnHarry Perspective
At Studio CarryOnHarry, we’re cautiously skeptical about whether “Hellbilly Hollow” transcends the crowded post-“Terrifier” landscape or simply rides its coattails. Yes, shooting inside a working haunted attraction offers production novelty—practical set pieces built into the location rather than constructed elsewhere. But does environmental authenticity translate to narrative innovation? The film’s dual-antagonist setup (Tickles and Bull) and killer-stalks-victims structure hit familiar beats. We’ve seen the retro-slasher resurgence deliver genuine surprises; we’ve also seen it become a formula where mood and atmosphere substitute for fresh storytelling. With limited theater information and no confirmed wide release strategy, “Hellbilly Hollow” arrives as a calculated niche play. The real question isn’t whether it’s competently made—the crew’s pedigree suggests it is—but whether a real location and solid craft elevate it beyond another nostalgia-driven entry fighting for genre attention.
Read more People’s Choice stories on Studio CarryOnHarry. Reporting via Live News Vault.
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Editor's Choice
How The Odyssey Pushed Nolan Into Cinema’s Billion-Dollar Elite
How The Odyssey Pushed Nolan Into Cinema’s Billion-Dollar Elite
Studio CarryOnHarry Entertainment Desk | 13 October 2026
The Odyssey Rewrites Box Office History
Christopher Nolan has officially cemented his place among the most commercially powerful filmmakers in cinema history. His latest epic, The Odyssey, has stormed past $1.78 billion at the worldwide box office, making it not only the biggest film of his career but also the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever released globally.
The achievement has propelled Nolan past the $8 billion milestone in cumulative career earnings at the worldwide box office — a staggering figure that places him third on the all-time list of highest-grossing directors, displacing the Russo Brothers from that coveted position.
What Makes The Odyssey a Record-Breaker?
Adapted from Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey marks Nolan’s first venture into mythological storytelling — and the gamble has paid off spectacularly. The film boasts one of Hollywood’s most impressive ensemble casts, led by Matt Damon, with Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Samantha Morton, and Charlize Theron rounding out the lineup.
Box Office Breakdown
- Opening Weekend (North America): $123.5 million
- North American Total: $623.1 million
- International Gross: $1.157 billion
- Worldwide Total (to date): $1.78 billion
- Projected Final Worldwide: ~$1.9 billion
Nolan Pushes Russo Brothers Out of the Top 3
Prior to The Odyssey‘s release, Nolan’s global career total sat just below the $8 billion threshold. The film’s extraordinary run has now vaulted him ahead of the Russo Brothers — best known for the Marvel juggernaut films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame — in the all-time director rankings.
For context, Nolan’s previous biggest hit was The Dark Knight Rises, which earned over $1 billion globally. The Odyssey has shattered that benchmark decisively, reportedly tracking toward a $1.9 billion final tally.
Why This Matters for Global Cinema Fans
This milestone is a defining moment for original, auteur-driven blockbuster filmmaking. For fans tracking Bollywood’s top stories and global cinema alike, Nolan’s ascent signals that bold, large-scale storytelling continues to draw audiences worldwide.
For deeper context on how Hollywood’s biggest milestones intersect with the global film landscape, entertainment industry coverage continues to track every record-breaking development in real time.
With The Odyssey still in theatres and its final numbers yet to be tallied, Nolan’s position in cinema history looks more secure than ever.
– Entertainment Desk, Studio Carry On Harry
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Editor's Choice
Bollywood Loses a Titan: Patekar Dies, State Funeral Confirmed
Director Anees Bazmee breaks silence on Nana Patekar’s death, calling it unbearable. Read the full story on India’s cinema legend’s final farewell.
Bollywood Loses a Titan: Patekar Dies, State Funeral Confirmed
Studio CarryOnHarry Entertainment Desk | 8 October 2026
A Filmmaker’s Grief: Anees Bazmee Speaks From the Heart
Veteran Bollywood director Anees Bazmee has issued a deeply emotional appeal to the media following the sudden passing of legendary actor Nana Patekar on 8 October 2026. In a heartfelt message shared on his official Instagram account, Bazmee admitted he is not yet in a position to speak publicly about the tragedy.
“This is an unbearable loss and an unbearable pain for me and for all of us,” the director wrote, requesting that journalists and well-wishers allow him time to grieve privately. His message resonated across the industry, reflecting the profound bond the two shared over decades in Hindi cinema.
Nana Patekar’s Final Hours: What We Know
The Padma Shri-winning actor reportedly suffered a severe cardiac arrest in the early hours of Thursday at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. Emergency services rushed him to Manipal Hospital after he was found unresponsive, but despite approximately 45 minutes of CPR efforts by medical personnel, the veteran star could not be revived.
He was officially declared deceased at around 5:20 AM IST. His son, Malhar Patekar, subsequently confirmed the heartbreaking news to the media.
State Funeral Announced by Maharashtra Government
In recognition of Nana Patekar’s extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema, the Maharashtra government has announced that the actor will receive a state funeral with full state honours. His mortal remains are being transported from Goa to Pune, where final rites are scheduled to take place at his farmhouse in Donje.
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Nana Patekar built an unrivalled reputation across both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Known for his intense screen presence, raw emotional depth, and unflinching commitment to his craft, he was widely regarded as one of the finest actors India has ever produced.
- Recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours
- Celebrated for landmark performances across Hindi and Marathi films
- Passed away on 8 October 2026, aged 75, in Dona Paula, Goa
- State funeral to be held at his Donje farmhouse near Pune
For the latest tributes and reactions pouring in from across the film fraternity, follow Bollywood’s top stories as the industry comes to terms with this devastating loss.
Industry Mourns: A Moment of National Grief
The outpouring of grief from fellow actors, directors, and fans across India underscores the extraordinary impact Nana Patekar had on generations of cinema lovers. For comprehensive entertainment industry coverage on how Bollywood is responding to this loss, tributes and memorial events are being closely tracked.
Anees Bazmee’s quiet, dignified appeal to the media — itself a testament to a friendship forged through years of creative collaboration — has been widely shared and respected across social platforms today.
– Entertainment Desk, Studio Carry On Harry
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