Epic Pictures’ specialty horror label DREAD is set to unleash Dorothea, an unflinching true-crime horror film. It plunges audiences into the monstrous world of serial killer grandmother Dorothea Puente.
The movie follows the soft-spoken woman as she methodically lures the vulnerable, kills without remorse, and buries her darkest secrets—and her victims—beneath her unassuming garden.
Dorothea marks the second installment in DREAD’s inaugural slate of biographical true-crime horror films. It follows the release of Ed Kemper, with the highly anticipated film about Richard Ramirez set to be released next.
The film was written and directed by Chad Ferrin, who previously directed Pig Killer, H.P. Lovecraft’s The Old Ones, and Ed Kemper.
Ferrin expressed his excitement following the film’s successful debut: “After the world premiere at the Valley Film Festival, I am confident DOROTHEA will be a success. The audience loved it, there was such great energy from the first frame to the last pulsating through the crowd; I’ve never had a more positive screening in my career. And with the amazing job Dread did with the release of ED KEMPER, I know DOROTHEA is in the best possible hands.”
The official synopsis reveals the dark depths of the story. Dorothea is a chilling true-crime horror that unearths the monstrous secrets of Dorothea Puente. She looked like a soft-spoken grandmother; however, she was the one who drugged, murdered, and buried her elderly and disabled tenants beneath her garden. Behind her warm smile lurked a predator who used kindness as bait and survival as justification.
As the story peels back layers of trauma, deception, and calculated cruelty. It reveals a harrowing portrait of a woman shaped by abuse and driven by greed. Dorothea forces audiences to confront the terrifying truth that real evil often hides in plain sight.
Patrick Ewald, Executive Producer and CEO of Dread, lauded the film’s unflinching focus: “DOROTHEA is the second in our series of unflinching true crime films that explore the darkest corners of human nature. Director Chad Ferrin masterfully transports audiences to the era in which these horrifying events took place, capturing both the atmosphere and psychology of the time with a truly singular vision.” Ewald also confirmed that their collaboration with Ferrin will continue to explore infamous cases: “Our next film with Chad, centered on Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, will push this series even further, diving deeper into the terror and truth behind one of history’s most infamous killers.”
The film features Susan Priver (Ed Kemper, Night Caller) and Lew Temple (The Walking Dead, Rango). Horror icon Brinke Stevens (House on Haunted Hill) also stars. They are joined by Ginger Lynn (The Devil’s Rejects), Brenda James (Slither, Stargate: Atlantis), and Cyril O’Reilly (Porky’s).
The chilling film will have a limited theatrical run beginning on October 31st, before becoming available for rent or purchase on VOD starting November 4th.
