Shudder lands John Lithgow thriller The Rule of Jenny Pen

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As a die-hard horror enthusiast with decades of chilling experiences under my belt, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming psychological thriller “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” starring none other than the legendary Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow! Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for all things horror, has once again proven to be the ultimate destination for genre fans with this tantalizing addition to their catalog.

In the 2025 psychological thriller titled “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” distributed by Shudder, Geoffrey Rush is subjected to distressing antics by John Lithgow, who uses an unsettling doll and a sinister game named after the title.

Among the top destinations for horror enthusiasts seeking fresh content, Shudder stands out as AMC Networks’ premium streaming service specializing in the genre. The upcoming release, “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” is set to become another captivating title added to their catalog. What piques my interest isn’t only the star-studded cast featuring Rush and Lithgow, but also the film’s director, James Ashcroft, who collaborated with Eli Kent on the screenplay as well.

Previously, Ashcroft stirred a commotion with his first directorial effort, “Coming Home in the Dark“, an intense and unyielding movie that fearlessly leads you to places you wouldn’t normally go. I can’t wait to find out what unique creation Ashcroft will come up with next.

Jenny Pen’s rule will first be introduced on a global scale at this year’s Fantastic Fest, which is happening later this month. After that, it will become available on Shudder the following year.

In the new movie, the actor known for his role as Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean, takes on the character of Judge Stefan Mortensen, a resident at a retirement home recovering from a stroke that has left him partially paralyzed. Mortensen finds it difficult to connect with other residents or even the staff. He butts heads with another resident, Dave Crealy (played by Lithgow), who appears kind but enjoys tormenting a disturbing dementia doll as part of a sadistic game.

Initially, what seems like harmless teasing by Crealy turns into much darker and unsettling events. When Mortensen’s entreaties to the staff are ignored, he decides to take matters into his own hands to stop Crealy’s tyranny, as suggested in the summary.

As a devoted fan, I’m no stranger to recognizing talent when I see it, and John Lithgow is one of those rare actors who effortlessly straddles the delicate divide between endearing and eerie. With his captivating performances in the 2019 remake of “Pet Sematary” and as the chilling “Trinity Killer,” Arthur Mitchell, on Showtime’s “Dexter”, he’s proven time and again that he’s a master at navigating this intricate balance.

In a director’s note, Ashcroft expressed that Rush and Lithgow are among his personal acting idols. He also voiced his thrill regarding this collaboration with Shudder, which he believes will kick off Fantastic Fest 2024.

Shudder has always been groundbreaking in genre cinema, passionately committed to the vision of the filmmaker; I can think of no better home for THE RULE OF JENNY PEN.

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2024-09-12 20:25