The Rule of Jenny Pen is a 2024 film based on the short story by Owen Marshall. The adaptation was directed by James Ashcroft and stars Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow.
| The Rule Of Jenny Pen | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | James Ashcroft |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Matt Henley |
| Edited by | Gretchen Peterson |
| Distributed by | Shudder |
Release date |
|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThe film follows arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a retirement home. There, Mortensen clashes with a seemingly gentle resident named Dave Crealy (Lithgow) who is actually secretly terrorizing the home with a sadistic game called "The Rule of Jenny Pen" while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. When Mortensen’s pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy's reign of terror.
Cast
edit- Geoffrey Rush as Stefan Mortensen
- John Lithgow as Dave Crealy
- Nathaniel Lees as Sonny Ausage
- Thomas Sainbury as Carer Mike
- Ian Mune as Howie Wicker
- Irene Wood as Olive Shaw
- George Henare as Tony Garfield
- Maaka Pohatu as Dr Neels
- Bruce Phillips as Peter Llewyn
- Holly Shanahan as Madeline Shepard
- Paolo Rotondo as Psychologist
- Yvette Parsons as Carer Tania
- Ginette McDonald as Sally Pile
- Hilary Norris as Eunice Joyce
- Anapela Polataivao as Carer Jasmine
- Semu Filipo as Coach
- Hannah Lynch as Carer Joy
- Nick Blake as Tobias Popanovich
Production
editIn 2023 it was announced that Geoffrey Rush would star opposite John Lithgow in the thriller.[1]
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.[2]
Release
editThe film was shown at Fantastic Fest, in Austen, Texas, on 19 September, 2024, and at Spain’s Sitges Film Festival in October 2024.[3]
The film was acquired by Shudder on September 12, 2024, intending for the film to be release in 2025.[4]
Reception
editHorror writer Stephen King tweeted on X "I watched one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. It’s called THE RULE OF JENNY PEN, and I urge you to watch it..."[5]
Reviewer Alex Billington from FirstShowing described the film as "an instant horror classic".[6]
Awards
editAshcroft won best director at the Fantastic Fest in Austin in September 2024.[3]
Lithgow and Rush shared the best actor award at Spain’s Sitges Film Festival in October 2024.[7]
References
edit- ^ Leffler, Rebecca (May 16, 2023). "Charades, CAA break out thriller 'The Rule Of Jenny Pen' with Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ White, Mike (16 December 2023). "Filming wraps for Kiwi movie with Hollywood stars". The Post. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lang, Brent (September 12, 2024). "Shudder Buys 'The Rule of Jenny Pen,' Thriller With John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Gearan, Hannah. ""One Of The Best" Horror Movies Of 2024 According To Stephen King Is Releasing On Streaming Soon". Screenrant. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Billington, Alex. "Sitges 2024: 'The Rule of Jenny Pen' is an Instantly Iconic Horror Film". Firstshowing.net. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ 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.