Cast & Crew Talk Upcoming Horror New Fears Eve

Back in 2024 we reported on an unique upcoming horror set at during New Years Eve, starring a few choice horror alumni most fans will know. Well after an incredibly successful on the festival circuit (picking up several awards in the process), the film has been picked up by Cineverse & Bloody Disgusting (the team behind Terrifier 2 & 3 and The Toxic Avenger), and is set to release just in time for Christmas & New Year.

The Doctor Will Slay You Now...

New Fears Eve will be releasing exclusively on Screambox December 16th, 2025. The upcoming film, from P.J. Starks (13 Slays Till X-Mas, Cryptids) and Eric Huskisson (VOB: Horror Stories, 13 Slays Till X-Mas), follows the story of three friends who involuntarily prepare for Hooper Industries' annual New Year's Eve party. The night takes an unexpected deadly turn when 'The Doctor' sets his sights on them.

The film boasts a pretty solid cast that includes Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S, Siren, Creepshow), Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie, The Devil’s Rejects), Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination creator), Lily-Claire Harvey (Hindsdale House), Sonya Delormier (Phantom Fun World), Jay Woolston (13 Slays Till X-Mas), Alyssa Rhoads (It Lives in the Attic), Jason Crowe (The Art of Killing), Roni Jonah (Shark Exorcist 2), Matthew Tichenor, Collin Horn, Gina Parker, Turner Vaughn (UFO Girl) and featuring Jesse McDonald as 'The Doctor'.

The Doctor - Behind the Scenes of New Fears Eve

As the award-winning gore-soaked slasher comedy gears up for it's release, I was lucky enough to catch up with film's directors P.J Starks and Erik Huskisson, as well as producers/cast members (and horror royalty) Jeffrey Reddick and Felissa Rose.

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P.J Starks | New Fears Eve Writer & Co-Director

Absolute pleasure to catch up with you again, P.J. The last time we spoke, New

Fears Eve was doing the rounds on the indie and festival circuit. Can you tell us

what the reception was like from those lucky enough to attend a screening?

P.J. Starks: "Great talking to you again also. As with any comedy, some jokes land at one screening and completely miss at another. Overall, though, everyone really seemed to enjoy the film. The kills got great reactions from disgusted groans to full on cheering.

We got a lot of compliments on the story. Of course, everyone wants to talk about The Doctor afterwards. We sat in theaters across the country with audiences as small as thirty and at other screenings with a packed house of over six hundred. I’m sure not everyone loved the movie, but it appeared to us we had a crowd pleaser and I’m just happy about that."

You’ve managed to maintain quite a few demanding roles whilst undertaking New

Fears Eve - writer, producer, co-director and editor - can you tell us some of the

challenges you’ve faced whilst wearing so many hats in a single production?

P.J: "As a writer and director I go in with a very specific vision and ideas on how to

execute it. As producer it’s my job to make sure the film gets made and with that comes compromise. I’ve reached a point where I can generally balance both sides in pre- production, but occasionally something comes up during filming.

An idea shifts, or logistics simply won’t support what we planned, so we pivot in the moment. At this point it’s about what’s best for the project and we adapt to figure out how to adjust accordingly while still being able to tell the story we need to tell."

P.J. Starks behind the scenes of New Fears Eve

As the Writer, what influences did you draw upon when coming up with the

concept and later the script for New Fears Eve?

P.J: "NFE was initially intended to be another anthology as well as something steeped in atmosphere. By the time we pulled it off the shelf, Eric and I had already completed our third anthology together and were itching to do something different. I retooled the concept into a single narrative. The slasher sub-genre is my favourite. Truth be told, I’ve been waiting for an excuse to leave my mark on it.

When it came to writing the screenplay, I had a lot happen in my personal life I pulled from to create the characters and the plot. Though I fully intended this to be serious horror, I use levity to cope. Therefore, my characters did the same and by the time I was done it had just as much humour as it did gruesome deaths and terror. Which worked out well because Eric and I have been wanting to dabble in comedy for a while and this gave us that opportunity."

Can you tell us what inspired such gloriously familiar sounding character names

in New Fears Eve?

P.J: "The characters in the film are either named after friends of mine or after horror

actors, directors or even characters. Truthfully, there’s so many in this film I lost count. Some are very on the nose like Harry Warden and others you’ll have to watch the end credits, but they’re there.

As for the leads, I named Brian and Moses after a couple of friends that we lost far too soon. Leslie on the other hand is named after my now wife. By naming these characters after them it was my way of honoring those we lost as well

as keeping some elements true to life even in a fictional account."

On set of New Fears Eve - (from left to right) Dave Sheridan, Felissa Rose, Jeffrey Reddick & director P.J. Starks

In your view, what sets New Fears Eve apart from your previous catalogue of

films?

P.J: "With Volumes of Blood, VOB: Horror Stories and even 13 Slays Till X-Mas those were anthologies with stories about finding the best way to entertain an audience while finding the most satisfactory twist. NFE follows three best friends going about their everyday lives until something truly horrific forces its way in, destroying the safety and comfort they once took for granted.

It’s about finding a way to fight in the face of sheer terror when it would be so much easier to give up and die. At its core, it’s about searching for a silver lining even when everything seems hopeless. We pack those deeper themes with plenty of dick and fart jokes; all smothered in an unapologetic face full of blood and gore."

You did mention last year you were waiting to see what happens with the release

of New Fears Eve before even considering a sequel. Are we being too

presumptuous to ask if you’ve had any more thought, or talks toward that(?), or

concept ideas on the back of New Fears Eve release?

P.J: "I absolutely have a fully fleshed out story for a sequel and we would love to make it. Of course, we have to see how part one does."

You’ve got six upcoming projects in various stages of development at the

moment, and your filmography shows you’ve worked on multiple projects over

the last few years. Do you have any other projects in mind when these six are

completed?

P.J: "Not specifically. There are a couple filmmakers I’m talking with about potential

projects, but none that I’m ready to divulge just yet. Most immediately my focus is New Fears Eve and making sure we have excuse to make part two."

Considering your previous success with crowdfunding, would you recommend

this route to other production teams and independent film makers?

P.J: "Yes, it’s a great place to start. To get your feet wet in regard to obtaining financing, but it’s also a pain in the ass, mostly because of the goods and services portion. It’s great that friends, family and total strangers want to support your project, but I personally have guilt that follows me around because I’m asking for others to help fund my 'bad habits'. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it again, but I would like for us to get more into the arena of finding private investors. I’m sure that’s equally a pain in the ass. [Laughs]"

Behind the Scenes of NFE

Last time we asked you about your experience working with some of the greats

from the horror genre. If you had the opportunity to work with anyone in the

future, who would be your number one choice?

P.J: "That’s a great question. One that’s hard to answer. Aside from the obvious, I’ve

been incredibly fortunate to work with a lot of really cool actors from Joe Bob Briggs, Dee Wallace to Lisa Wilcox.

I do have a role in the sequel that I’d love to get Steve Zahn to portray. I think Maika Monroe would be cool to work with or Ethan Hawke. Justin Long and Elijah Wood have become Scream Kings in their own right, and I’d love to work with them. [Laughs] Stop asking me impossible questions!"

Most important, as a Writer / Director in the genre - what’s your all-time favourite

horror film, and why?

P.J: "Why’d you have to end with the two brain busters? [Laughs] I’ll narrow it down to two. John Carpenter’s Halloween because it’s one of the simplest films made in terms of narrative but also the most effectively executed. The other is From Dusk Till Dawn based on the sheer brilliance of misdirection. It also manages to make you like and care for two of the most deplorable people."

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Eric Huskisson | New Fears Eve Co-Director

This is your feature directorial debut, but what inspired you to enter filmmaking in

the first place?

Eric Huskisson: "Thanks to my father I was fascinated with film at an early age. He would let me stay up late on Fridays and Saturdays to watch the hosted horror movie marathons. I was fascinated with the special effects more than the story, the direction, and the acting.

From grade school through middle school, I had a cigar box with all my makeup, wax, and other effects to help my friends scare their families. When I was middle school age my friends and I started making films with my Dad's Super 8. As I got older, I got into acting and was in every play but one through my high school years. My fathers encouragement from the beginning has been the biggest reason why I am interested in making films."

What inspired you to transition from in front of the camera to behind it?

EH: "I guess my inspiration comes from working with P.J. over the years. I have learned many skills behind the camera due to watching and learning from him! I enjoy producing and all that goes with that position. It is challenging but can be very

rewarding. I want to write and direct more, but I am still more comfortable when I am producing. Working with P.J. on our projects has inspired me to step outside the box and given me the tools and experience to do so."

Cast & Crew Talk Upcoming Horror New Fears Eve

You’ve collaborated with P.J. on previous projects, did that familiarity help with

your taking a step into feature filmmaking?

EH: "P.J. and I only worked on a couple of small projects before we worked on our first feature together. I was a zombie in a faux documentary called Project: Deathpack; he co-wrote and directed. It was a trailer made to promote a Zombie Run hosted by a local radio station in Owensboro.

The second was a short I helped him with at the Daviess County Public Library. I have to say that the familiarity did help, but I learned it was just a drop in the bucket of experience needed to make a feature film. My roles have increased working with P.J. through the Volumes of Blood franchise. Those experiences, I think, are what finally gave me the understanding of the full process."

Eric Huskisson & P.J. Starks on the set of NFE

Can you tell us about any challenges you’d faced undertaking this role, and your

experience with overcoming them?

EH: "I have worn many hats making our four feature films. Actor, director, prop master, writer, and producer just to name a few. It was really challenging at first, but I realised I had to learn by jumping in and just getting the jobs done. Do not get me wrong I watched, listened, and asked a lot of questions along the way to help get them done.

I also do a lot of the 'unfun side' of the filmmaking process as well, like keeping up with the business end of things, which poses its own problems. Managing the time needed to complete everything I must get done is probably my biggest challenge. You would think four features in I would be a pro, but I still have a lot to learn!

I'm truly still in the beginning stages of writing and directing and that's bringing on a whole new set of challenges. Trust me, I am not complaining because I wouldn't do any of it if I didn't love it. The challenges are all worth it!"

We’ve asked P.J. about his influences when writing the script. What were yours

when stepping into the director’s chair?

EH: "Probably my three favorite directors are John Carpenter, Mel Brooks, and Clint Eastwood. My directing may not reflect their exact styles, but I hope I can emulate how each of them influences me as directors.

John Carpenter writes and directs in a way that always engages his audience. You are either scared, engrossed in the fictional world or rooting for the anti-hero. Mel Brooks is just brilliant at comedy. He can write and direct any situation and make it funny. From space, anxiety, history, to horror. Clint Eastwood always has bold in-your-face characters. You can either relate to them or flat out hate them. But you will remember them.

If I can take a little from each of their influences I will be where I want to be with directing."

The director usually takes the brunt of the feedback; can you tell us how you’ve

managed feedback from test screenings / from the festival circuit(?) and whether

that’s had an impact on the finished product?

EH: "Most of our festivals and test screenings have been positive but we've had our

share of negative comments online. It was hard for me at first to hear negative feedback about a film I helped create. It didn't take long to figure out that you're never going to please everyone no matter how good your film is. I feel we make the films we want and how we want to make them, and hope people appreciate what you have created.

Feedback has never changed our finished product and probably never will. I want to

hear all feedback, negative and positive. You can't grow as a filmmaker if you

don't listen to feedback. You need to know if you're doing something that could be better and strive to accomplish that for your next project."

Eric on the set of New Fears Eve

Although the focus at the moment is on New Fears Eve and The Barn Part III, do

you have anything else in the pipeline you can tell us about?

EH: "Presently I have an idea for a script that is slowly being written. It's basically a

mystery thriller with horror overtones. Hopefully we can make it a Blood Moon Pictures production in the future. Also, I'm dabbling in songwriting. After coming up with the New Fears Eve song , I've started writing lyrics for other songs."

You meet someone in the wild, they’ve never seen a horror film before. What’s

your go-to choice to show them, and why?

EH: "John Carpenter’s Halloween would be my go-to choice. I was already a horror fan, but this movie is what hooked me into the horror genre for life. His style of writing and directing gives the audience the cringe of a thriller and the eeriness a horror movie needs.

The suspense he builds with his shots and his music composing goes together so well. Michael is a presence of pure evil and is relentless in his pursuit of Laurie. He

takes an ordinary character and turns them into a strong-willed heroine that you can't help to cheer for. It is just a solid horror movie! "

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Jeffrey Reddick | New Fears Eve Producer & Cast (Norman Perkins)

P.J said you’ve been a personal favourite to work with, and instrumental in

helping the team secure distribution rights for New Fears Eve. Can you tell us a

bit more about the behind-the-scenes process and your work as a producer on

the film?

Jeffrey Reddick: "I'm a big fan of P.J. and his work, and when he sent me New Fears Eve what really got me excited about the project was the humor. It's got a great killer, a fun story, and some great death scenes, but I really loved the film's kind of throwback raunchy sense of humor where we weren't afraid to offend people.

There's one scene in particular that combines raunchy humor and death in a way that I've never seen in a horror film."

You have an incredible filmography under your belt, what drew you to New Fears

Eve and collaborating with P.J. again?

JR: "In my role as a producer on the film, I wanted to support Eric and P.J.'s vision, so I stayed out of their way and let them do their thing. But I really stepped in with

distribution. Usually, with an independent film, you submit it to a lot of festivals and hope that a distributor picks it up.

We got very fortunate in that we were accepted by a bunch of festivals and won a lot of awards, which I'm really proud of. But because I've been in the business for so long, I was actually able to get the film directly to a lot of distributors through my personal contacts, and we were very fortunate that Cineverse responded to it and picked it up."

Jeffrey Reddick behind the scenes of NFE

A member of our Hooked on Horror family (Mike aka The Man Who Hates

Everything) is a huge fan of Romero’s original, Day of the Dead. He’d love to

know more about your intended vision for the remake prior to interference from

the studio?

JR: "I knew someone would bring up Day of The Dead. My original take of the film was much closer to George Romero's classic in that it took place mostly in an underground bunker and dealt with the military and the military-industrial complex. I also dealt with the ideas George had set up about how, in an apocalyptic situation, humans could be more monstrous than the actual monsters, and how humans would turn on each other and create a bigger threat than any outside force. I also leaned heavier into what George planted with the character of Bub, in that the zombies could learn and evolve.

In fact, characters like Captain Rhodes, Sarah, and Bub were much closer to the original versions when I pitched the project, and it was much more nuanced in my take than in the final version, where they just said Bub was a vegetarian in real life and that’s why he couldn’t eat people immediately.

One of the biggest legal stipulations was that this had to be a straight-up Day of the Dead remake only and couldn’t be part of George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead universe, so we had to create a unique origin for the zombie outbreak. They already had Steve Miner attached to direct and a shooting date set, so I knew they were going to make the film.

I was hesitant, of course, because I know fans don’t like remakes of classics, but I really wanted to work with Steve. So, I hoped I could keep it as close to the original as possible while updating it. At the end of the day, it's a fun zombie film; I just wish it was called something like Zombie Attack or Zombies Eat Everyone in a Small Town instead of Day of the Dead."

Final Destination creator Jeffrey Reddick & New Fears Eve writer-director P.J. Starks

What would be your go-to horror film for a rainy Saturday night, and why?

JR: "My go-to Saturday night movie is the original A Nightmare on Elm Street. I picked that movie because it affected me so deeply both professionally and personally. Professionally, it connected me with New Line Cinema, where I ended up working and where they released Final Destination. But I remember watching the movie when I was young and it blew me away.

It had such a great concept, such an iconic villain with Freddy Krueger, and such an amazing final girl with Nancy Thompson. I thought the story was so original, and the set pieces are all incredibly memorable. Nancy was an amazing, layered final girl. Up until that point, we'd had some great actresses playing final girls, but their roles were written so that they were mostly virginal women who found their dead friends in the third act and fought the villain. Nancy was so proactive from the beginning.

After reading interviews with Wes Craven and seeing all the subtext he put into the film, it made me realise you could write horror films that were about more than just killing pretty people… even though there’s nothing wrong with killing pretty people. On film…not in real life. [Laughs] It also really made me fall in love with the supernatural subgenre of horror films, and most of my films fall into that category."

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Felissa Rose | New Fears Eve Producer & Cast (Stephanie)

As the Scream Queen of indie horror, how do you find the time to be involved

with so many projects, and how easy was it to transition into New Fears Eve’s

production?

Felissa Rose: "I love my horror and where there’s a will, there’s a way! Everyone is always great with making the schedules work. I adore P.J. and Eric and the script was amazing!

Being on that set was pure joy! I loved playing that kind of silly comedic role."

Can you tell us how you divided your time as both a producer and a performer on

New Fears Eve, and which role you felt more at home in?

FR: "I truly love both! I feel like so much of the producing is in pre-production and getting things ready for the actual shoot. While on set I enjoy making it all happen!

Once I step into the role, I can really see it all come together! Being there is my happy place!"

Behind the Scenes of NFE

As a fan favourite on the convention circuit, can you tell us a bit about meeting

members of the horror community and how you’ve embraced your well-deserved

popularity?

FR: "Awe, thank you! I love our community so much and I’m honored to be a part of it.

The connection is so powerful, and it really shows how we transcend the films. Just

getting to chat about our emotions through film is such fantastic love that transpires

between all of us!"

You’re going away to summer camp, you can only take one (1) horror film to

watch with your cabin friends. What would it be, and why?

FR: "The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It’s my ride or die!"

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Huge thank you to P.J. Starks, Eric Huskisson, Jeffrey Reddick and Felissa Rose for giving me their time for this interview. Remember folks, New Fears Eve releases exclusively on Screambox December 16th. Although I'll be honest, it sounds like the one to be watching when those clocks hit midnight December 31st. Or maybe the pick-me-up film Jan 1st whilst dealing with the mother of all hangovers.

I for one will be keeping my eye on New Fears Eve to see when it's available here in the UK. We'll be sure to update you then! For now, you can check out the latest REDBAND trailer below.