Trailer for Slasher ‘River’ Released with January 2027 Release Date

Tena Milakovic
RIVER
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Few horror collaborations sound as exciting as two of the genre’s most iconic final girls sharing the screen. Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe, both seasoned survivors of on-screen horror, are now confronting a new menace together. The first trailer for their slasher film ‘River’ has dropped, showcasing a setup that promises to be brutally effective.

This film marks the feature debut of writer-director Joshua Giuliano. It premiered as the opening-night selection of TIFF’s Midnight Madness program on September 10, receiving a strong response that ignited a bidding war. Ultimately, Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster acquired it for over $10 million.

Universal has now unveiled the first official trailer, which runs just under two minutes, and confirmed that ‘River’ will hit theaters in January 2027. The release date coincides with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, providing an early dose of horror for the year. The film has been rated R for strong bloody violence, some grisly images, and language.

The plot centers on three estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown following their father’s death. They embark on a journey to scatter his ashes at his favorite spot on a secluded river, but their boat malfunctions. Stranded miles from help with no cell service, they soon realize a faceless killer is stalking them from the woods.

To survive, the siblings must set aside their long-held grudges and unite against a relentless, almost mythic terror. The trailer emphasizes their isolation, depicting characters scrambling across a stranded boat beneath an open sky. It’s a straightforward premise that highlights the strengths of the slasher genre.

Levy, known for ‘Evil Dead’ and ‘Don’t Breathe,’ portrays Lucy, while Rothe, recognized for ‘Happy Death Day’ and its sequel, plays her older sister, Carla. Max Mattern takes on the role of their younger brother, Drew, and Dane DiLiegro, who portrayed the Predator in ‘Prey,’ plays the masked killer.

This blend of genre experience has garnered significant attention. Fans of the scream queen tradition are eager to see Levy and Rothe collaborate. The sibling dynamic adds an emotional layer to the story, making it as crucial as the horror elements.

Giuliano has expressed his desire to create a slasher film that he would personally enjoy. He told Variety that he aimed for a stripped-down approach, focusing on the primal essence of slashers as simple stories about individuals hunted by a killer. He also noted that the film took six years to develop.

The project originated from his 2018 short film, ‘In Sound, We Live Forever,’ which received a special mention at the 2019 Fantasia International Film Festival. Initially announced as a Shudder Original with Independent Film Company managing its theatrical release, Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster stepped in after the TIFF premiere.

Critics have responded positively, with the film holding a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 31 reviews as of early October. Some outlets have compared its brutality to ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,’ while others have praised it as a well-crafted survival slasher with strong direction and performances.

While some reviewers noted that it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it effectively utilizes its tropes to build tension, anchored by its cast and unique setting. Others have already labeled it the festival’s breakout horror hit, drawing comparisons to last year’s ‘Obsession.’ The film runs a concise 92 minutes, aligning with its efficient storytelling approach.

Producers include Steven Schneider, Nick Antosca, and Alex Hedlund, with Jason Blum serving as an executive producer through Blumhouse and Atomic Monster. The film is also being promoted as coming from the producers of ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession,’ two recent horror successes, indicating the studio’s confidence in its early-year release potential.

With the first trailer now available, anticipation is bound to escalate. A faceless killer, a malfunctioning boat, and two horror favorites make for an enticing combination. For fans of relentless slashers, January is shaping up to be promising.

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