Black Mandala has officially unveiled the trailer for Rise of the Rats, an energetic new horror-punk feature directed by Stephen Roach.
A Retro Horror Infusion
This dark creature feature draws strong creative inspiration from iconic eighties classics like The Lost Boys and Gremlins. Director Stephen Roach aimed to capture a vibrant punk spirit through energetic visuals and a distinctly British aesthetic. Scriptwriter Robert Howgate helped build a rebellious world filled with quirky characters, dark humor, and unpredictable danger.
Darkness Beneath the Surface
The story centers on Kayla Thornhill, a rebellious punk who travels with her estranged father to his childhood home. Their awkward homecoming to Ditchfield takes a dark turn when a severe rodent infestation suddenly erupts. Kayla soon uncovers whispers of a horrific act of violence that residents attempted to bury decades ago.
The Physical Manifestation of Guilt
That buried history eventually summons the Rat Man, a terrifying creature born of inherited trauma and the town’s collective guilt. As this grotesque entity commands swarms of bloodthirsty rats, the local death toll rapidly escalates into absolute chaos. As a result, Kayla must confront her father’s direct connection to this dark secret before the town falls completely.
Project Details
Internationally represented by Black Mandala, the film stars Grace Gallagher, Mark Collier, Tania Staite, and Jamie Nowski. Producer Robert Howgate also penned the script, while Karl Casey and Daniel Garavini composed the soundtrack.
