In “Gator Face,” something sinister is lurking in Florida’s swamps.
The new slasher, filmed on location in the Sunshine State, follows a group of Florida vacationers forced to escape a creepy cult that sacrifices humans to an alligator god.
Director Padraig Reynolds favored practical effects and the use of real animals over computer-generated imagery or AI. According to a release, Reynolds partnered with animal professionals and North Florida alligator and exotic animal sanctuary Bellowing Acres to ensure that no reptiles were harmed.
“I grew up loving creature features where what you were seeing on screen felt real, and that was something I wanted to capture with ‘Gator Face,’” Reynolds, who also wrote the film, said in a statement. “We wanted to make a fun, frightening horror film that combines a cult, Southern folklore and a very real predator into something audiences can experience together.”
The film stars “CSI” actress Tabitha Brownstone as well as Amariah Dionne, Scot Scurlock, Ella Mosca and Nikolas Kolasinski. It comes from indie studio Epic Pictures and Dread, which is responsible for the original “Terrifier” film.
“Gator Face” is getting a limited theatrical release on Sept. 11, although no Tampa Bay screenings have been scheduled so far. It will be available to rent or purchase online Sept. 15. Perhaps it would make a killer double feature with fellow Florida horror flick “Chicken Head”?
