Epic Pictures will soon release the heart-pounding revenge thriller Bystanders. The film has received multiple awards and praise at the Nightmares Film Festival and the HorrorHound Film Festival. At HorrorHound, it was nominated for 11 awards and won seven. That includes Best Feature, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Supporting Performance (Garrett Murphy), Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Judges Choice.
Bystanders marks Mary Beth McAndrews’ directorial debut and stars Brandi Botkin, Bob Wilcox, and Garrett Murphy. Jamie Alvey, Chaney Morrow, and Hannah Fierman round out the cast. Jamie Alvey wrote the script.
Uniquely positioned from a feminist point of view, the Bystanders synopsis reads: Clare and Gray are your typical loving millennial couple navigating a jaded world. Abby is a sweet, awkward teen. When Abby attends a party held by her crush, a rich frat boy hotshot named Cody, the bash spins out of control. Cody and the boys decide to drug, assault, and hunt several of the girls in attendance. When Abby’s path intersects with Gray and Clare’s, they form an unlikely alliance as the trio fights for their lives against the collegiate creeps.
“Bystanders has been incredibly close to my heart since I first read Jamie Alvey’s script,” says the film’s director, Mary Beth McAndrews. “As a sexual assault survivor, being able to tell this story in all of its gory glory has been incredibly cathartic and liberating. A film like Bystanders is more important now than ever and I’m thrilled that Dread is helping us share it with the world.”
Epic Pictures Group CEO Patrick Ewald states, “Mary Beth McAndrews is a visionary in the world of horror, and Bystanders is a testament to her creativity and fearless storytelling. This film is not just a chilling experience; it’s a reflection of Mary Beth’s unique perspective and passion for pushing the boundaries of the genre.”
HorrorFuel.com’s Joseph Perry calls the film “an intriguing take on the subgenre” in his Nightmares Film Festival spoiler-free review.
Pop some popcorn and prepare for a pulse-pounding experience. On January 21, 2025, Bystanders will be available for rent or purchase on VOD.
