Playhouse is a 2020 British horror-thriller film written and directed by Fionn and Toby Watts. The film stars Rebecca Calienda, Grace Courtney, Mathilde Darmady, Julie Higginson, William Holstead, Helen Mackay, Eilidh McLaughlin, and James Rottger.[1][2]

Playhouse
Directed byFionn Watts
Toby Watts
Written byFionn Watts
Toby Watts
Produced byFionn Watts
Toby Watts
Starring
  • Rebecca Calienda
  • Grace Courtney
  • Mathilde Darmady
  • Julie Higginson
  • William Holstead
  • Helen Mackay
  • Eilidh McLaughlin
  • James Rottger
CinematographyAndy Toovey
Edited byJim Page
Music byDan Baboulene
Production
company
Far North Film
Distributed byDevilworks
Release dates
  • 28 August 2020 (2020-08-28) (FrightNight)
  • 17 November 2020 (2020-11-17) (VOD)
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

It premiered at the 2020 London FrightFest Film Festival and was released online on 17 November 2020.[3]

Premise

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In a remote Scottish castle, an irreverent writer faces terrifying consequences when his daughter falls prey to an evil curse lurking within the walls.

Cast

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  • Rebecca Calienda as Kathryn
  • Grace Courtney as Bee Travis
  • Mathilde Darmady as Katie
  • Julie Higginson as Samantha
  • William Holstead as Jack Travis
  • Helen Mackay as Jenny Andrews
  • Eilidh McLaughlin as Alex
  • James Rottger as Callum Andrews

Release

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The film premiered on 28 August 2020 at FrightFest and was released to video on-demand platforms on 17 November 2020.[4]

Reception

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On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 67% based on nine critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10.[5] Paul Grammatico of Dread Central scored the film 3.5/5 and said "If you are looking for a good throwback to a grand old gothic good time, Playhouse will be a dreadful delight."[6] Film Threat's Andrew Stover gave the film 7/10, and said "Although Playhouse isn't as emotionally critical or tightly written as it should be, The Watts brothers are skilled in nurturing a dour atmosphere and exposing a darker side to the creative impulse."[7]

References

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  1. ^ DanXIII (6 November 2020). "Movie Review: Playhouse (2020)". horrorfuel.com. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Playhouse, Helen Mackay, William Holstead (Horror Movie Review)". www.joblo.com. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  3. ^ Rogerinorlando (14 November 2020). "Movie Review: A great setting in search of a scarier tale — "Playhouse"". Movie Nation. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  4. ^ "**Official Trailer** PLAYHOUSE – On Demand November 17". Horror News | HNN. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Playhouse (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  6. ^ "PLAYHOUSE Review--The Play's the Thing". Dread Central. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Playhouse | Film Threat". 17 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
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