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True Story

Horror films based on true events — the real cases behind the movies and how much they got right.

374 stories
New Trailer For Action-Thriller 'The Stalking Fields' Explores A Cure For PTSD

New Trailer For Action-Thriller ‘The Stalking Fields’ Explores A Cure For PTSD

This January, a group of civilians run for their freedom when they find themselves caught in the middle of a Black Ops program designed to cure PTSD in the action-thriller The Stalking Fields. Written by Sean Crampton and Jordan Wiseley and directed by first-time filmmaker and Army veteran Ric Maddox, the film stars Crampton in a breakthrough performance, as well as Taylor Kalupa, Adam J. Harrington, Rachael Markarian, Jordan Wiseley, and Richard O. Ryan. Drawing from personal experience, both Crampton and Wisely grew up in military families and felt it was important to make a film about the ramifications of PTSD. Gravitas Ventures will release The Stalking Fields on digital platforms on January 17, 2023.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 14, 2023
Dive Into Terror, Netflix's True Story Inspired Shark Movie 'Mako' Is Out Now

Dive Into Terror, Netflix’s True Story Inspired Shark Movie ‘Mako’ Is Out Now

The Egyptian (mainly in English) shark horror-thriller Mako quietly swam onto Netflix this December but has been overlooked due to the holidays; however, it has continued to be discovered by genre fans worldwide and is worth the watch. Based on the real-life tragedy of the Salem Express, in the film, a group travels to the location of the Elsalam Ship, which sank years ago, to make a documentary, not knowing the terror that awaits them as a huge Mako shark hunts the team one by one. Directed by Mohamed Hesham El-Rashidy, the script was penned by Ahmed Halim, Mohamed El Hafnawy, Mohamed Khaled, and Ahmed Sharaf Elsayed. The cast includes Basma, Nicolas Mouawad, Nahed El Sebai, Munther Rayhana, Amr Wahba, Mohamed Mahran, Sarah El Shamy, and Murat Yıldırım. What’s the true story that inspired the movie? At 11:13 pm on Saturday, December 14, 1991, the Salem Express passenger ship sank in the Red Sea after hitting a reef. It took

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 13, 2023
Movie Review: 'Cocaine Bear' Snorts Its Way Into Our Hearts

‘Cocaine Bear’ Is Unleashed In New Trailer!

What is scarier than an angry, hungry bear? One that’s pissed off and hopped up on A LOT of cocaine. Believe it or not, that’s what Universal’s upcoming movie Cocaine Bear is about, what’s more, is that it the movie is inspired by a true story. What’s even wilder than the movie’s concept is the trailer, which you have to see (below) to believe. “The movie finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood.” Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson star in the action-packed thriller written by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen). Actress turned director Elizabeth Banks (“The Boys”) is behind the film based on the true event that took place in Kentucky in 1985. A botched drug smuggling attempt left many one-pound

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 5, 2023
Scorsese's True Story Inspired 'Killer Of The Flower Moon' Premieres This Fall

First Look: Leonardo DiCaprio Stars In Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon”

Leonardo DiCaprio sits down for dinner in the first image from the thriller Killers of the Flower Moon from director Martin Scorsese. The film’s cast features some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Martin Scorsese, Brendan Fraser, Eric Roth, John Lithgow, Tatanka Means, and Joshua Close. The film, based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon: An American Crime and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann, sees the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation and a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the “Reign of Terror.” The Apple Original film is set to premiere in 2023 from Paramount Pictures.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 20, 2022
Lead Sarcophagi Buried Beneath Notre Dame Opened... Sorry, No Vampires.

Lead Sarcophagi Buried Beneath Notre Dame Opened… Sorry, No Vampires.

After a fire tore through the iconic historical site Notre Dame in Paris, France, archeologists were shocked to discover, including those in charge of the famed church, a pair of sarcophagi made from lead. This caught the imagination of many as previously mentioned, even those in charge of Notre Dame and who know its history well, were not aware that anyone was buried under the floor of the popular tourist destination. A few days ago, scientists have finally opened the sarcophagi. Sorry internet conspiracy theorists, no vampires, no lost biblical treasure, all that was inside were the skeletal remains of noblemen, one of which archeologists were able to identify quickly thanks to an epitaph that was preserved within. The owner of the one lead coffin belonged to Antoine De la Porte who died December 24th, 1710 at the age of 83. De la Porte was a Canon, a clergyman who was quite wealthy, in his lifetime he commissioned several works

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Dec 14, 2022
True Crime Thriller And Oscar Entry 'Blanquita,' Coming To Theaters

True Crime Thriller And Oscar Entry ‘Blanquita,’ Coming To Theaters

The dark thriller Blanquita, Chile’s official Oscar entry for 2022, made its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it won “Best Screenplay” for writer-director Fernando Guzzoni. Now, the film is set to open in select US theaters this December. Young actress Laura López makes her film debut as an “18-year-old resident of a foster home who is a key witness in a trial against powerful politicians and businessmen implicated in a child sex scandal. As questions are asked, her role in the scandal becomes unclear.” Award-winning veteran actor Alejandro Goic co-stars as the priest who runs the home where the young woman lives. The cast also includes Amparo Noguera, Marcelo Alonso, and Daniela Ramirez. The feature is inspired by the real-life early 2000s Spiniak Case involving a child prostitution ring that provided services to several high-placed politicians and businessmen in Chile. The case divided public opinion in Chile as it went through the courts, with doubts being cast

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2022
True Story Inspired Movie 'Cocaine Bear' Lets Out A Roar On New Poster

True Story Inspired Movie ‘Cocaine Bear’ Lets Out A Roar On New Poster

What is scarier than an angry bear? One that’s pissed off and hopped up on A LOT of cocaine. The poster for Universal’s true story-inspired thriller Cocaine Bear lets out a roar ahead of the film’s 2023 release. “The movie finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood.” Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson star in the action-packed thriller written by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen). Actress turned director Elizabeth Banks (“The Boys”) is behind the film based on the true event that took place in Kentucky in 1985. A botched drug smuggling attempt left many one-pound packages of cocaine scattered about the Chattahoochee National Forest. A bear consumed several of those packages. The bear, which has been named “Pablo Escobear” (named after

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 29, 2022
Who Really Was America's First Serial Killer?

Who Really Was America’s First Serial Killer?

The recent installment of the video game series, The Dark Pictures Anthology titled The Devil In Me, focused on the exploits of the infamous 19century serial killer H.H. Holmes. In the game as well as pretty much anywhere else you always hear that Holmes (real name Herman Webster Mudgett) is “America’s First Serial Killer”. This title is only half true. Holmes is probably America’s first highly publicized Serial Killer thanks to there being advances in communications at the time, photographs, and 42 states with decent size populations for the time to hear and read about his exploits and trial. But H.H. Holmes is not the first serial killer to spill the blood of his fellow citizens on its soil. The title really belongs to the Harpe Brothers. The Harpe Brothers, Joshua (also known as Micajah), and William (also known as Wiley) were both born either in Scotland OR the British Colony of North Carolina in the 18th century. The life

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Nov 21, 2022
ID Announces November Premiere Of Two True Crime Series

ID Announces November Premiere Of Two True Crime Series

ID, the #1 television network for true crime, is making Wednesday nights killer, announcing premiere dates for two series. Kicking off November 16 at 9/8c is an all-new season of “MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND”, followed at 10/9c with the return of the highest-rated new series for ID over the past two years, “MURDER UNDER THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.” “MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND,” tells the complex and dramatic stories of murders through the collective point-of-view of Middle American towns and their residents. Every story documents a town and people in the heart of the country, and the provocative crime that tore through it. What unravels over the course of the episode is that these townspeople are not only the storytellers, but they also hold the clues to the puzzle that forever altered their lives. In the season premiere episode, Who Killed Angie Lee?, premiering on Wednesday, November 16 at 9/8c, Angie Lee, a single mother in Gillespie, Ohio is found beaten

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 15, 2022
True Crime Thriller 'American Murderer' Hunts Down A December Release Date

True Crime Thriller ‘American Murderer’ Hunts Down A December Release Date

Lionsgate has just announced the Blu-ray release date for the true crime thriller American Murderer. This riveting thriller follows Jason Derek Brown (Tom Pelphrey), a charismatic con man bankrolling his extravagant lifestyle through a series of scams. On Brown’s trail: Lance Leising (Ryan Phillippe), a dogged FBI special agent determined to put Brown behind bars. When Brown’s funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet, pitting himself against Leising in a deadly game of cat and mouse — and becoming the most unlikely and elusive fugitive on the FBI’s most-wanted list. American Murderer arrives October 28th on Digital and December 13 on Blu-ray™ + Digital and DVD from Lionsgate. It was written and directed by Matthew Gentile (Lawman, Frontman, Heart of Sword), and stars Daytime Emmy® winner Tom Pelphrey (TV’s “Guiding Light,” 2006 and 2008, Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series; “Ozark”), Tony Award® winner Idina Menzel (Frozen, Enchanted), and

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 1, 2022

More from True Story

New Trailer For Action-Thriller 'The Stalking Fields' Explores A Cure For PTSD

New Trailer For Action-Thriller ‘The Stalking Fields’ Explores A Cure For PTSD

This January, a group of civilians run for their freedom when they find themselves caught in the middle of a Black Ops program designed to cure PTSD in the action-thriller The Stalking Fields. Written by Sean Crampton and Jordan Wiseley and directed by first-time filmmaker and Army veteran Ric Maddox, the film stars Crampton in a breakthrough performance, as well as Taylor Kalupa, Adam J. Harrington, Rachael Markarian, Jordan Wiseley, and Richard O. Ryan. Drawing from personal experience, both Crampton and Wisely grew up in military families and felt it was important to make a film about the ramifications of PTSD. Gravitas Ventures will release The Stalking Fields on digital platforms on January 17, 2023.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 14, 2023
Dive Into Terror, Netflix's True Story Inspired Shark Movie 'Mako' Is Out Now

Dive Into Terror, Netflix’s True Story Inspired Shark Movie ‘Mako’ Is Out Now

The Egyptian (mainly in English) shark horror-thriller Mako quietly swam onto Netflix this December but has been overlooked due to the holidays; however, it has continued to be discovered by genre fans worldwide and is worth the watch. Based on the real-life tragedy of the Salem Express, in the film, a group travels to the location of the Elsalam Ship, which sank years ago, to make a documentary, not knowing the terror that awaits them as a huge Mako shark hunts the team one by one. Directed by Mohamed Hesham El-Rashidy, the script was penned by Ahmed Halim, Mohamed El Hafnawy, Mohamed Khaled, and Ahmed Sharaf Elsayed. The cast includes Basma, Nicolas Mouawad, Nahed El Sebai, Munther Rayhana, Amr Wahba, Mohamed Mahran, Sarah El Shamy, and Murat Yıldırım. What’s the true story that inspired the movie? At 11:13 pm on Saturday, December 14, 1991, the Salem Express passenger ship sank in the Red Sea after hitting a reef. It took

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 13, 2023
Movie Review: 'Cocaine Bear' Snorts Its Way Into Our Hearts

‘Cocaine Bear’ Is Unleashed In New Trailer!

What is scarier than an angry, hungry bear? One that’s pissed off and hopped up on A LOT of cocaine. Believe it or not, that’s what Universal’s upcoming movie Cocaine Bear is about, what’s more, is that it the movie is inspired by a true story. What’s even wilder than the movie’s concept is the trailer, which you have to see (below) to believe. “The movie finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood.” Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson star in the action-packed thriller written by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen). Actress turned director Elizabeth Banks (“The Boys”) is behind the film based on the true event that took place in Kentucky in 1985. A botched drug smuggling attempt left many one-pound

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 5, 2023
Scorsese's True Story Inspired 'Killer Of The Flower Moon' Premieres This Fall

First Look: Leonardo DiCaprio Stars In Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon”

Leonardo DiCaprio sits down for dinner in the first image from the thriller Killers of the Flower Moon from director Martin Scorsese. The film’s cast features some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Martin Scorsese, Brendan Fraser, Eric Roth, John Lithgow, Tatanka Means, and Joshua Close. The film, based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon: An American Crime and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann, sees the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation and a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the “Reign of Terror.” The Apple Original film is set to premiere in 2023 from Paramount Pictures.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 20, 2022
Lead Sarcophagi Buried Beneath Notre Dame Opened... Sorry, No Vampires.

Lead Sarcophagi Buried Beneath Notre Dame Opened… Sorry, No Vampires.

After a fire tore through the iconic historical site Notre Dame in Paris, France, archeologists were shocked to discover, including those in charge of the famed church, a pair of sarcophagi made from lead. This caught the imagination of many as previously mentioned, even those in charge of Notre Dame and who know its history well, were not aware that anyone was buried under the floor of the popular tourist destination. A few days ago, scientists have finally opened the sarcophagi. Sorry internet conspiracy theorists, no vampires, no lost biblical treasure, all that was inside were the skeletal remains of noblemen, one of which archeologists were able to identify quickly thanks to an epitaph that was preserved within. The owner of the one lead coffin belonged to Antoine De la Porte who died December 24th, 1710 at the age of 83. De la Porte was a Canon, a clergyman who was quite wealthy, in his lifetime he commissioned several works

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Dec 14, 2022
True Crime Thriller And Oscar Entry 'Blanquita,' Coming To Theaters

True Crime Thriller And Oscar Entry ‘Blanquita,’ Coming To Theaters

The dark thriller Blanquita, Chile’s official Oscar entry for 2022, made its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it won “Best Screenplay” for writer-director Fernando Guzzoni. Now, the film is set to open in select US theaters this December. Young actress Laura López makes her film debut as an “18-year-old resident of a foster home who is a key witness in a trial against powerful politicians and businessmen implicated in a child sex scandal. As questions are asked, her role in the scandal becomes unclear.” Award-winning veteran actor Alejandro Goic co-stars as the priest who runs the home where the young woman lives. The cast also includes Amparo Noguera, Marcelo Alonso, and Daniela Ramirez. The feature is inspired by the real-life early 2000s Spiniak Case involving a child prostitution ring that provided services to several high-placed politicians and businessmen in Chile. The case divided public opinion in Chile as it went through the courts, with doubts being cast

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2022
True Story Inspired Movie 'Cocaine Bear' Lets Out A Roar On New Poster

True Story Inspired Movie ‘Cocaine Bear’ Lets Out A Roar On New Poster

What is scarier than an angry bear? One that’s pissed off and hopped up on A LOT of cocaine. The poster for Universal’s true story-inspired thriller Cocaine Bear lets out a roar ahead of the film’s 2023 release. “The movie finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood.” Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson star in the action-packed thriller written by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen). Actress turned director Elizabeth Banks (“The Boys”) is behind the film based on the true event that took place in Kentucky in 1985. A botched drug smuggling attempt left many one-pound packages of cocaine scattered about the Chattahoochee National Forest. A bear consumed several of those packages. The bear, which has been named “Pablo Escobear” (named after

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 29, 2022
Who Really Was America's First Serial Killer?

Who Really Was America’s First Serial Killer?

The recent installment of the video game series, The Dark Pictures Anthology titled The Devil In Me, focused on the exploits of the infamous 19century serial killer H.H. Holmes. In the game as well as pretty much anywhere else you always hear that Holmes (real name Herman Webster Mudgett) is “America’s First Serial Killer”. This title is only half true. Holmes is probably America’s first highly publicized Serial Killer thanks to there being advances in communications at the time, photographs, and 42 states with decent size populations for the time to hear and read about his exploits and trial. But H.H. Holmes is not the first serial killer to spill the blood of his fellow citizens on its soil. The title really belongs to the Harpe Brothers. The Harpe Brothers, Joshua (also known as Micajah), and William (also known as Wiley) were both born either in Scotland OR the British Colony of North Carolina in the 18th century. The life

Continue reading →
Daniel S. Liuzzi
Nov 21, 2022
ID Announces November Premiere Of Two True Crime Series

ID Announces November Premiere Of Two True Crime Series

ID, the #1 television network for true crime, is making Wednesday nights killer, announcing premiere dates for two series. Kicking off November 16 at 9/8c is an all-new season of “MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND”, followed at 10/9c with the return of the highest-rated new series for ID over the past two years, “MURDER UNDER THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.” “MURDER IN THE HEARTLAND,” tells the complex and dramatic stories of murders through the collective point-of-view of Middle American towns and their residents. Every story documents a town and people in the heart of the country, and the provocative crime that tore through it. What unravels over the course of the episode is that these townspeople are not only the storytellers, but they also hold the clues to the puzzle that forever altered their lives. In the season premiere episode, Who Killed Angie Lee?, premiering on Wednesday, November 16 at 9/8c, Angie Lee, a single mother in Gillespie, Ohio is found beaten

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 15, 2022
True Crime Thriller 'American Murderer' Hunts Down A December Release Date

True Crime Thriller ‘American Murderer’ Hunts Down A December Release Date

Lionsgate has just announced the Blu-ray release date for the true crime thriller American Murderer. This riveting thriller follows Jason Derek Brown (Tom Pelphrey), a charismatic con man bankrolling his extravagant lifestyle through a series of scams. On Brown’s trail: Lance Leising (Ryan Phillippe), a dogged FBI special agent determined to put Brown behind bars. When Brown’s funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet, pitting himself against Leising in a deadly game of cat and mouse — and becoming the most unlikely and elusive fugitive on the FBI’s most-wanted list. American Murderer arrives October 28th on Digital and December 13 on Blu-ray™ + Digital and DVD from Lionsgate. It was written and directed by Matthew Gentile (Lawman, Frontman, Heart of Sword), and stars Daytime Emmy® winner Tom Pelphrey (TV’s “Guiding Light,” 2006 and 2008, Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series; “Ozark”), Tony Award® winner Idina Menzel (Frozen, Enchanted), and

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 1, 2022
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