The highly anticipated folk horror feature Turn Back—which made history as the most funded narrative film in UK crowdfunding history (raising over £470,000 from almost 6,000 supporters)—has officially begun production.
Shooting is now underway in Surrey, England, on the groundbreaking film. Turn Back is a reverse-narrative thriller inspired by the chilling English legend of Black Shuck, blending psychological terror with deep folk tradition.
Turn Back is set to deliver a cinematic experience audiences haven’t seen before. The film follows Paul, an American artist who returns to his ancestral village in Norfolk. He soon finds himself ensnared by a sinister local cult and the haunting presence of the Black Shuck legend. As the story unfolds backwards in time, Paul’s grip on reality is aggressively tested. The film explores themes of unreliable memory, grief, and the blurry boundary between psychological torment and supernatural dread.
The cast includes Parker Sawyers (Southside with You), Lucy Robinson (Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason), and Clare-Hope Ashitey (Children of Men). Tom Stourton (Barbie) and Star Trek icon Marina Sirtis round out the cast.
Multi-Award-Winning horror Director Riyad Barmania, known for films like Ashens and the Polybius Heist and series like “The Proxy,” confirmed the team’s excitement:
“I am beyond thrilled to be turning over on this incredible story. Our cast and crew are simply outstanding and it’s wonderful to see years of planning come together. There’s lots to do, and we’re ready to deliver!”
Co-writer Stuart Ashen emphasized the challenging narrative:
“Telling a story in reverse is such a fresh, exciting and challenging thing to do. We’ve spent two years getting it just right. We’re truly doing something that has never been done before, which is something you can’t say very often.”
Producer Linton Davies spoke to the humbling success of the crowdfunding effort:
“Getting to make any film is a privilege, but Turn Back is special. Having a bold, one-of-a-kind movie be so heavily supported by audiences straight off the bat is extremely humbling. The world isn’t prepared for what we have in store. It’s going to absolutely blow your socks off!”
Turn Back is slated for a 2026 release and will first be unveiled at major international festivals. Stay tuned for more details.
Turn Back Movie Courtesy of Relentless Films
