Indie Horror Producer P.J. Starks Talks The Barn Part III, New Fears Eve & More!
- Adam Williams
- Jun 10
- 16 min read
Let’s be honest here folks, you really can’t beat a good indie horror. The last few years has seen a resurgence of indie horror films being produced, with the final product being much higher in quality. You never really know when you’re going to come across the next Terrifier or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To be fair I’d probably say there’s been a handful in the last few years that have been surprisingly better from the latest offering from major studios, such as Blumhouse.
So, I’m always on the lookout for a good indie horror to sink my teeth in to. And I am happy to say, a few have been brought to my attention by indie horror producer P.J. Starks.
First up is The Barn Part III- a sequel to 2016’s The Barn & 2022’s The Barn Part II. If you haven’t seen the previous two, they’re fun indie horror comedies with some pretty great moments throughout both. Both come complete with fantastic casts that include Linnea Quigley, Will Stout, Diana Prince, John Bloom, Ari Lehman, Lexi Dripps, Lloyd Kaufman and Doug Bradley.
Writer-director Justin M. Seaman returns to bring us horror fans the last blood-soaked chapter in this critically acclaimed franchise that Fangoria described as “a grab bag of All Hallows goodness.”
The Barn Part III, from Nevermore Production Films in association with Blood Moon Pictures, is set years after the events of The Barn Part II. The group remains in fear that ‘The Evil Three’ will return to finish the harvest once and for all.
Cast for the third and final instalment includes Courtney Gains (Children of the Corn, The Burbs), and Kelli Maroney (Chopping Mall, Night of the Comet), with Mitchell Musolino (The Barn Parts 1 and 2) returning. Some new faces to the franchise include Kansas Bowling (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Christmas Bloody Christmas), Ellie Church (Only Fangs, Harvest Lake), and up-and-comers Tristan Olsen, Amanda Byrne, and Jake McClellan (HeBGB TV).
Crew includes Zane Hershberger (Force to Fear, Treaters), who also co-wrote the film, as director of photography and Rocky Gray (13 Slays Till X-Mas, 10/31 Part 4) returning to score the film. Production design is covered by Matt Cloude (Coffintooth), with prolific SFX maestro Cody Ruch (The Boy from Below, Worst Laid Plans) providing all the gore and special effects. Simon Lustenberger (The Barn Part II) and Gareth “Slasher Trash” Morgan (Final Summer, Go Away) are on board as executive producers, with Eric Huskisson (New Fears Eve) and P.J. Starks (New Fears Eve) of Blood Moon Pictures signed on to Produce.
The film is nearing its goal on IndieGoGo but needs that little extra push. They’ve got some incredible perks up for grabs including signed art and scripts as well as memorabilia and props from the film. You can support the project by heading over to their IndieGoGo Page.
Secondly is the upcoming slasher The Last Sleepover, from Candy Carnage Productions. We covered this film earlier this year as it brings together Scream Queens Lisa Wilcox & Felissa Rose.
The upcoming film was written by Austin J. Rutherford (The Whisper in the Woods) Gregory W. Brock, with Brock also producing and directing. P.J. Starks (New Fears Eve, 13 Slays Till X-Mas), Jacob Ennis (The Town Without Halloween, The Art of Killing) and Jake C. Young (Daylight to Dark) are producing, with visionary cinematographer Omo Emasealu (Unnatural 1 & 2, Wrestling Movie) behind the camera.
The film follows a group of friends on a class reunion who run into more trouble than they bargained for! In The Last Sleepover-
“A group of former high school friends reuniting on the night of their 20th-year class reunion. Once part of an elite clique called “The Pastels,” they harboured a dark secret—years ago, they tormented a less fortunate girl in a cruel prank that ended in tragedy. After the reunion, they continue the night at an Airbnb for one last sleepover, but the celebration quickly turns into a nightmare. A masked killer begins hunting them down one by one, seeking revenge for the sins of their past.”
The film boasts an impressive cast that includes Sleepaway Camp legend herself Felissa Rose back in a killer role! Fellow Scream Queen Lisa Wilcox (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master) is the most recent addition to the cast. Starring along Rose & Wilcox are Spooky Madison (Phantom Fun World), Audri Curtsinger (Homeless for the Holidays), Jason Crowe (The Art of Killing, New Fears Eve), and TJ Moreschi (The Legacy, Kill Granny Kill).
Blending psychological tension, slasher horror, and darkly comedic social dynamics, The Last Sleepover promises a blood-chilling experience for fans of classic revenge thrillers! The film is currently in pre-production with a chance for horror fans to still back the project, and pick up some great perks, via their Indie GoGo Page, should they want.
“Hi, we’re Gregory W. Brock and Austin Rutherford, independent filmmakers with a passion for creating horror stories that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. You may know us from films like Hillbilly Bloodbath, Kill Granny Kill, The Art of Killing, and The Town Without Halloween. We’re thrilled to introduce our latest project. At a 20th-year class reunion, a group of former high school friends—once part of an elite clique called The Pastels—return to an Airbnb for a weekend of nostalgia. But their past hides a dark secret: they bullied a less fortunate girl and thought she died after a cruel prank. Now, as the reunion turns into a bloodbath, they must uncover whether the killer is their vengeful victim or one of their own."
Next up is The Boy from Below- a horror that takes us back to the glorious days of the video store in the 90s. The film, written and directed by Tory Jones, follows the story of a horror movie nerd who discovers her film knowledge may be the one thing that saves her.
In The Boy from Below, the sleepy New England town of Carpenter Falls is known for being the hometown of Silver Screen Legend Marilyn Leigh Miller. As Halloween Season arrives, an obsessed psychopath looks to pay tribute to the late B-Movie Scream Queen by living out his own horror movie fantasies. Caught in the madness is local video store clerk Quinn Curls and her gang of movie loving friends whose knowledge of the genre may be their key to survival.
As I said above Tory Jones (The Wicked One, They See You) is on directorial duties having co-written the film with Jerron Spencer (Phantom Fun-World). Producing duties fall to P.J. Starks (New Fears Eve, Volumes of Blood), Tiana Armstrong (Stream) Thomas W. Wolf (Phantom Fun-World) Roman Jossart (Placid Park, Don’t F**k in the Woods 2) Louis and Renise Gallegos (Die’ced, Hercules) Kody Newton (The Death of Snow White) Anthony D. Graziano (Haunted House of Pancakes, Skate to Hell) Kent Collins (Go Away, Crust) and Ken Daniels (They See You, Demon Hunter: Time 2 Kill) and more.
“This film pays tribute to the ’90 and the era of the video store I was lucky enough to grow up in. That time was so informative to my love of the genre. I’ve made a slew of low budget indie films, but I would say to make a film that is so personal to me with a real budget, an incredible team, and horror legends I grew up watching is a dream come true. I can’t wait to unleash The Boy from Below onto the world.” – Tory Jones
Executive producer P.J. Starks revealed to Bloody Disgusting he thinks fans are in for a ride with this one saying, “Between Jack Norman’s portrayal of an intense, sadistic masked killer and the incredible splatter effects of Cody Ruch, I think slasher fans are in for a very fun and terrifying ride.” The film makers are aiming for a Fall 2025 release.
And of course, you can’t beat an indie horror that incorporates the greatest holiday of the year into them. So, without further ado, let me tell you about the upcoming short horror comedy from Hawthorne House Films and Barton Ct. Productions titled Half-O-Ween.
The film tells the story of a couple who, following a messy break-up, find themselves trapped inside with their intrusive landlords whilst an escaped serial killer prowls the neighbourhood looking for their next victim.
Half-O-Ween follows Cam White, a horror fanatic and recluse, whose only companion, a 'normie' boyfriend named Jeremy, just broke up with her. In the immediate aftermath of their ugly breakup, their landlords arrive with news of an escaped serial killer. Winnie, nosy and overbearing, insists her husband, the prideful and sleazy Vern, will protect them. But as the night winds on with the foursome cooped up together in Sam’s tiny living space, she begins to wonder whether she ought to take her chances.
The frightfully fun slasher was written by Mike McPherson (10/31 Part 2), directed by Stephen Wolfe (Doll Factory, Dracula’s Coffin), and produced by P.J. Starks (New Fears Eve, 13 Slays Till X-Mas) and Tim Robinson (Dracula’s Coffin). Little Shop of Gore FX’s Ryan and Salina Ward (Terrifier 3) are on board for all those wonderfully disgusting and gory special effects. The short looks to blends the irreverent humour of Ghost World with the bloody kills of the Halloween franchise, leaning on its richly detailed ensemble cast.
The cast includes Lestonja Diaz (Out of Body, Resurrektor),Tim Robinson (10/31 Part 2, Dracula’s Coffin), Sara Gaston (To Catch a Killer, Acid Test), Joe Grisaffi (Stranger Things, The Word), Joshua Kennedy (House of the Gorgon, The Innsmouth School for Girls), Josh Spiegel (The Last Amityville Movie, The Complex) Matt Baca (Dracula’s Coffin), and Xavier Flores (Doll Factory) as the crazed maniac, Eddie Mangas. Cameras are set to roll summer 2025.
Continuing with the holiday themed indie horrors, New Fears Eve promises an award-winning gore-soaked slasher comedy. The film follows three best friends who involuntarily prepare for Hooper Industries annual New Years Eve party, which turns deadly when a murderer sets his sights on them.
The film features an exciting ensemble, that includes a few familiar faces for horror fans. Cast includes Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S, Shudder’s Creepshow), Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie, The Devil’s Rejects), Jeffrey Reddick (creator of Final Destination) 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 and Jesse McDonald as The Doctor.
The film from Blood Moon Pictures, shot entirely in Owensboro, Kentucky, was written by P.J. Starks, who also co-directed the film with Eric Huskisson. There is no official release date as of yet, however the film makers are in currently in talks to secure a distribution deal.
Whilst waiting upon public release, the film was making its way around the festival circuit last year and managed to pick up a few awards along the way. New Fears Eve won Best Horror Comedy at the Chicago Horror Film and the New York City Horror Film Festival, as well as a slew of awards at the 2024 Wolf Media Festival, Days of the Dead and HorrorHound Weekend. New Fears Eve was also nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award during Shudder’s live award show.
You can check out the trailer below.
As I said at the beginning of this article, these films were brought to my attention by indie horror producer P.J. Starks. I was fortunate enough to catch up with him to discuss his upcoming selection of goodies for us horror fans.
So P.J., how did you first get involved with film making?
"My grandmother Almeda was the one who gave me my love and appreciation for horror, which inevitably led me to being a genre filmmaker. While she looked like something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, she was an OG horror fan. My grandfather bought me my first VHS camcorder, and my mom instilled in me that perseverance and passion was important.
My beginning is as cliché as it gets. I started making movies with my friends and eventually worked my way up to being more serious about the craft. In 2014 I created the anthology Volumes of Blood. The rest of the story has written itself."
Why settle on horror films? Was there anything that drew you to that genre in particular?
"It was my favourite genre and there are a lot of facets to horror that are fun from special effects to creating a scare. I’ve done other types of films, but I always circle back to horror because it was my first love. Over time I’ve learned it’s the most malleable genre. You can incorporate so much into a horror film that you can’t with romance or drama.
As a matter of fact, horror seems to be the one genre that all other genres can be blended into while also being simply fun, having a deep air of social awareness or mixing it all together for a richer experience."
In truth, would you say you prefer writing, producing or directing?
"Producing but I do enjoy elements of all three. I’m big on collaboration. I love working with other creatives to birth an idea. I’m not a fan of micro-managing. However, I do appreciate the hands-on approach that comes with producing. It gives me an opportunity to be involved with nearly all aspects of a project from conception to completion."
What are some the challenges you’ve faced making an indie horror film, and how have you overcome them?
"Most projects come with a set of logistical nightmares that inevitably surface. Producing is essentially problem solving to make sure a film gets finished. You come across a slew of issues on a production including oversized egos, lack of communication to intense disorganisation.
It can be difficult maintaining a cool head at times but being quick on your feet to figure out the issue is the only way to ensure a project keeps moving. Whether the solution is replacing a cast or crew member, making smart compromises under heavy stress, all the way to throwing out the script for a scene and starting from the ground up; I’ve dealt with all those situations, and I can tell you with certainty there’s a fix for everything on a production.
One of the biggest hurdles I and my producing partner Eric have faced is getting the upper circles in our hometown of Owensboro to accept horror as a legitimate, respectable genre. It’s been hit or miss over the years. Things improved greatly with our latest project, New Fears Eve. I give the credit for that to God, but we still occasionally run into a wall where someone hesitates to get involved because it’s horror.
What many don’t realise is, supporting a project isn’t just about backing a genre, it’s about supporting hundreds of creatives in your community and nurturing their passion."
Can you tell us, in your own words, about The Barn Part III?
"If you’re a fan of the previous instalments it’s everything you grew to love about them dialled up to eleven. If you aren’t familiar with the last two films, I highly suggest checking them out on streaming.
The Barn Part III is bigger and bloodier in every way from the over-the-top monster designs to the special effects creating gore-drenched sets. This new film also has a lot more story. Justin managed to write a very multi-layered script that takes the audience on a fun but darker journey through terror. Having been on set and getting my hands dirty, I’m very excited for everyone to see this movie."
Judging by the first two, I’m assuming the supernatural elements will play heavily into the film. Anything strange or unusual happen whilst shooting?
"Without saying too much, yes. Very heavily. Even more so than what you’ve seen the last film. It’s a bigger story, so the set pieces had to be bigger. There’s going to be a lot of very kick-ass things in the new film that you’ve never seen in the others. And considering my groin was devoured in The Barn Part II by a Cock Goblin that’s saying a lot. [Laughs]"
I got to spend around eight days on set and while I was there nothing terrifying happened in real life. Although Eric might have a different re-collection since he and I stayed at the loft in Justin’s studio, which means Eric had to listen to me snore all night. Nothing is more terrifying than being on set for twelve hours, getting to bed at 7 am and then struggling to sleep because I’m over here grizzly breathing."
Indie Horror Producer P.J. Starks Talks The Barn Part III, New Fears Eve & More!
What can you tell us about The Last Sleepover, and when did the cameras start rolling on that?
"It’s a slasher revenge picture akin to 90s slice and dice fare like Urban Legend or I Know What You Did Last Summer. That was why I gravitated so much to the script. It wasn’t overly convoluted with plot or an attempt at a throwback, it was simply Greg and Austin wanting to do something fun. They didn’t over think it. Plus they nailed the look and feel with their killer Scarlett.
I was on set a few weeks back during the second block of filming and I’m looking to return for the third and final set here soon. It was cool because I got the chance to finally meet and work with filmmakers like Jacob Ennis (Red River, The Town Without Halloween) and then others like Jason Crowe, who is a longtime friend of mine. Felissa Rose was there so her and I got a chance to hang out. She’s really cool and a solid talent.
Lisa Wilcox was there as well. It was my first time meeting her. Lisa is a true professional and very sweet. I enjoyed working with her and so many others on set. Greg and Austin have a solid crew of dedicated people. The film is slated to hopefully release this year but that will depend on distribution."
You’ve been lucky enough to work with some greats from the horror genre. Has there been a personal favourite amongst them?
"It’s crazy to think that over the past five years alone I’ve worked with everyone from Joe Bob Briggs, Courtney Gains, Diana Prince, the iconic Dee Wallace and more, but the most special has been Jeffrey (Reddick). I reached out to him via social media back in ’16 just because I found out he was from Kentucky and at the time I was just a fan.
We basically went from pen pals to chatting on the phone several times a year. Eventually that became a friendship and now a working relationship as he’s a producer on New Fears Eve. Jeffrey has been instrumental with helping us secure distribution for the project. I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s down-to-earth and generous. It’s been very cool getting to know him over the past decade."
When talking about The Boy from Below previously, you said fans were in for a “very fun and terrifying ride”. Can you elaborate any further on this for us?
"Tory (Jones) has written a solid and serious slasher entry with this re-boot of his film The Wicked One. Jack Norman, who portrays The Boy, is like eight feet tall and has an intimidating presence on-screen.
Think Tyler Mane’s portrayal of Michael Myers from Rob Zombie’s remake of Halloween, but more visceral and ten times more brutal. Kody Newton, who’s made a name for himself in the horror community by being incredibly talented behind the lens, is the director of photography. He’s helped create some very intense and haunting imagery so I think slasher fans will have something cool to sink their teeth into."
I can see you’re also producing a short horror. Would you say that’s more difficult than producing a feature?
"I wouldn’t say it’s more difficult, but shorts create a set of challenges of their own. With a feature you can let things simmer a bit, there’s breathing room to tell your story. With a short you must be concise and creative. You have to find a way to get an audience to connect with your characters in a short amount of time while also telling a story that is captivating. That can be hard to do if your vision isn’t strong or if you try to cram too much in."
The premise for Half-O-Ween sound interesting. Is there any more information you can give us on that currently?
"It’s a fun and irreverent script. I’m sure by now your readers are seeing a pattern in the types of films I gravitate to. The slasher sub-genre is my absolute favourite, and I fully appreciate the films concept more when it isn’t cookie cutter. This film being one of those. It’s not so much about the body count as much as it’s about the estranged couple, but it has its fair share of scares and kills. I’m helping Stephen and Tim work on the crowd-funding campaign now, so everyone please keep your eyes peeled for that in the coming months."
What can we expect from New Fears Eve?
"NFE is just a humorous thrill ride from start to finish. It’s Office Space meets Scream. It’s made for fans of hack-and-slash who also like a healthy dose of sophomoric one-upmanship. It’s not all stabbing, dicks and farts though. When I wrote the script I had gone through some very tough times in life and used the narrative to deal with my inner turmoil and grief. While it serves up heaping spoonful’s of dark, unfiltered comedy, the film maintains a sincere tone, especially when delving into its more weighty, thought-provoking commentary."
There seems to be a lot of holiday themed slashers (not that I’m complaining), so why pick New Years for the basis?
"Believe it or not but New Year’s slasher films are rare. There are a few like New Year’s Evil and Terror Train, but the list is remarkably short. You can find a lot of other festive cinematic terrors, but this holiday is strangely overlooked. I came up with the title and basic concept for New Fears Eve when we were filming 13 Slays Till X-Mas.
It sat on the shelf for a couple of years and with the relative success of 13 Slays, Eric suggested it just made sense we went for the next holiday and asked me to fully conceptualise NFE. It was more by accident than design, but the project gave us the opportunity to pursue several firsts including giving me the chance to write a fully realised slasher."
You seem to have an awful lot going on now. So, what is next for you?
"Depending on what happens with the release of New Fears Eve we do have a potential sequel in the works. I’m currently talking with another filmmaker about producing his new film, but I won’t know anything for sure until the next couple of weeks. I’ve submitted a screenplay to a bunch of festivals, which I’ve never done before. The rest of that time will be spent with my family as well as continued promotion with the films I’m already attached to."
Lastly, to finish, if you had the opportunity to do whatever you wanted with any horror franchise or character, what would you pick and why?
"That’s a great question, but truthfully, I’d rather create a completely new story and original character that’s mine, which is exactly what I’ve done with The Doctor in New Fears Eve.
I’ve produced a fan film before with The Confession of Fred Kruger, but there’s only so much you can do with someone else’s intellectual property. Even if it’s via a studio you’re limited in your ability to change or add to the mythos. While I’m a huge fan of the creations of Carpenter or Craven, I’d rather utilise my time and resources building my own brand than simply adding to someone else's."
Huge thank you to P.J. for the interview, got some great things in the pipeline by the looks of things. We'll be sure to update on these films once we know more.
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