The psychological horror flick The Observance, is officially coming to a big screen near you! Beyond Casual Media is bringing its acclaimed, award-winning film for an exclusive, limited nationwide release at AMC Theatres in major markets across the US, starting this February.
The Plot That Will Make You Triple-Check Your Locks
The Observance is not your typical monster flick. It’s a deep dive into psychological and cult terror. The story centers on a woman whose life is absolutely obliterated after a horrific five-year coma following a car accident. When she finally wakes up, she discovers her world has been drastically and terrifyingly altered.
An enigmatic religious leader has completely taken over her home. And worse, both her husband and daughter have fallen completely under his insidious control. But the creepiness doesn’t stop at her front door. This mysterious leader has managed to infect the minds of the entire town with his strange, cult-like influence.
Determined to break through the brainwashing and uncover the truth, our heroine faces an uphill battle. She soon learns, however, she severely underestimated just how far this cult will go to protect its twisted secrets. We’re talking high-stakes, spine-chilling paranoia that will have you sleeping with the lights on!
The Dream Team Behind the Terror
The film’s script was co-written by Beyond Casual principals Rob Hollocks and Amy Bailey, based on an original story by Bailey. Hollocks also directed the film, with the duo co-producing, proving once again that true independent filmmaking is alive and thriving.
But let’s talk cast, because this movie features a horror icon: Ted Raimi! Raimi recently proved his sinister horror chops playing Sheriff Travis Hackett in the hit horror game The Quarry. Raimi is known for a lot of amazing films, including the Evil Dead franchise, Spider-Man, and so much more. Joining him are Beyond Casual’s fantastic ensemble veterans Kate Dailey and Alec James.
A Festival Hit
If you need proof that this film delivers the goods, look no further than its award shelf. The Observance has been cleaning up at film festivals both domestically and internationally, netting ten awards and countless accolades.
On the US circuit, it picked up an Excellence Award from Delaware’s Sci Fi Horror and Action Film Festival and walked away with Best Thriller. It snagged Best Director honors at the Hollywood Best Indie Film Awards. It was also crowned Best Feature/Suspense Thriller by the International Horror Hotel Film Festival, where Alec James also earned a well-deserved Best Actor nod. Furthermore, it also got Best Film from both the New Jersey Mystery, Crime and Horror Film Festival and the online Diabolical Horror Film Festival. It also scored an award at the Horror Haven Film Festival.
The praise crossed oceans, too! Internationally, the film was a massive hit at the Berlin Indie Film Festival, where it was named Best Horror/Thriller, and both Kate Daily and Ted Raimi received top honors, winning Best Actress and Best Actor plaudits. The Tokyo Film & Screenplay Awards also recognized its quality, awarding it the Best Independent Feature/Best Thriller. It even reached the final rounds in the UK and Canada, earning a nomination for an award at the Birmingham Horror Film Festival and becoming a semi-finalist at Quebec’s Bloody Horror International Film Festival.
HorrorFuel.com’s Joseph Perry had this to say about the film: “I’ve had an early peek at The Observance and can recommend that
fans will find plenty of reasons to put this feature on their radars. Add in Hollocks’ assured direction and a solid supporting cast, and you have plenty to look forward to.”
Meet Beyond Casual Media: The Indie Powerhouse
Beyond Casual Media, the Augusta-based independent production company, was co-founded by Amy Bailey and Rob Hollocks, and they clearly know how to make award-winning content. Bailey, an accomplished writer and producer, focuses on creating powerful, engaging stories through ethical filmmaking practices. Hollocks, a co-founder and the film’s director, worked for Paramount Pictures in high-profile roles in both the US and international markets on major franchises like Saving Private Ryan, Indiana Jones, and Star Trek. More recently, he worked on Netflix and Riot Games’ #1-rated animated show, Arcane.
Their first feature film, Encounter, starring Luke Hemsworth, won several festival awards, culminating in a Best Independent Picture win at the 2022 Saturn Awards—a huge deal! Their second feature, Applewood, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2024.
Beyond Casual’s latest feature, Mister Sleep, is also generating buzz, with reviewers calling it “a blood-soaked, nerve-shredding ride that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats and haunt their dreams long after the final credits roll.”
With a pedigree like that, you know The Observance is going to be essential viewing! Get your tickets for the exclusive AMC run starting February 13, 2026! And if you miss it on the big screen, don’t worry—you can finally bring this nightmare home, as the film is set for its official digital release on VOD platforms on May 06, 2025.
