If your main weekend struggle is spending hours mindlessly scrolling through streaming menus only to settle on a movie you have already seen dozens of times, Joseph Scrimshaw’s meta-horror comedy Dead Media hits painfully close to home.
Executive-produced by genre veteran Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2, Mayhem), this clever, nostalgic thriller serves as an affectionate homage to cult classics, analog horror, and the forgotten era of physical media special features.
The Curse of the Commentary Track
The narrative transforms modern streaming-choice paralysis into a visceral physical nightmare. The story centers on Maggie (Sammi-Jack Martinack), a troubled young woman attempting to host a low-key movie night with her two best friends. After wasting countless minutes searching through digital catalogs, the group settles on renting a long-lost 1990s cult-classic horror film titled The Lurcher.
Before they can start streaming, Maggie’s overly eccentric uncle (James Urbaniak) arrives unexpectedly. He insists they abandon the compressed digital stream and watch the movie as originally intended: on a physical DVD loaded with unrated gore, deleted scenes, and extra features. However, as they navigate the menu options, they discover the disc carries a violent supernatural curse. The physical interactive elements spill directly into their living room, turning hidden Easter eggs and audio commentaries into a brutal struggle for survival.
Behind the Scenes and Touring the Country
Alongside Martinack and Urbaniak, Dead Media features a sharp ensemble cast that includes Sam Landman, Jessica Fenton, and Anna Sundberg. Vincent Rutherford led production alongside writer-director Joseph Scrimshaw.
To mark the film’s big-screen debut, the team is launching a specialized theatrical roadshow across independent micro-cinemas nationwide. Screenings will feature live appearances and Q&A sessions with Scrimshaw, giving physical media enthusiasts and horror fans alike a chance to experience the terror together in local theaters.
Stops on the Road Tour
Sept. 20 – Atlanta, GA – Tara Theatre @ 7:00 PM
Sept. 22 – Austin, TX – Violet Crown Cinema @7:00 PMM
Sept. 23 – Dallas, TX – Violet Crown Cinema 7:00 PMPM
Sept. 24 – Houston, TX – River Oaks Houston7:45 PM/5 PM
Sept. 27 – New York City, NY – Low Cinema 2:00 PM00PM
Sept. 27 – New York City, NY – Cinema Villa8:00 PM:00PM
Sept. 29 – Portland, OR – Living Room Theater 7:00 PM7:00PM
Sept. 30 – San Francisco, CA – ATA (Artists’ Television Acc7:00 PM 7:00 PM
Oct. 2 – Palm Springs, CA – Festival The7:30 PM@7:30 PMM
Oct. 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Whammy 4:00 PM 4:00 PMPM
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