Scythe: A psychological slasher thriller WITHOUT all the slasher film cliches!
Being that the modern way of telling a good scary story has been around for almost forty years, it’s quite common place that plots, death sequences, stereotypes and cliches are recycled or repeated. That’s why finding a truly original horror flick, especially when looking at the slasher genre specifically, can be a daunting task. Enter… Scythe.
Scythe is a psychological thriller and horror slasher inspired by John Carpenter’s Halloween, Saw and many films from Alfred Hitchcock. Not only is Scythe going to break away from the current story-telling mold, but it’s also going to break away from how the story is told; as in it’s going to be shot in a much different way than mainstream Hollywood. Steady cam, slow moving dollys, tight close-ups, handheld cam and POV shots will mirror the unfortunate circumstances thrust upon the film’s characters, each scene and motion having a different feel to match the character’s environment. Not only will Scythe be bloody and original, but it will also be a truly cinematic experience with incredibly built suspense.
Scythe will also be eliminating all of the typical horror film cliches, instead opting for a more real and organic story. Filmmaker Jim Rothman is quoted as saying, “There are just simply way too many bad slashers films out there. Slasher films follow too many horror film cliches. We are eliminating all the horror film stereotypes and the eye-rolling horror film cliques the slasher genre is known for. You won’t find any characters running upstairs instead going out the front door, or identifying themselves by calling out “Who’s There” in the dark, or, my personal favorite, tripping over absolutely nothing. Instead, we are focusing on character’s human qualities and focusing on developing three dimensional characters that actually have lives, that we care about, and what they might really do when faced with perilous situations.”
Now, this all sounds good and dandy, but this is a promise that has been made before in the past. Luckily, Jim Rothman and the rest of the Scythe crew filmed test footage to use as a proof of concept trailer in 2015. The footage came out so good, in fact, that they decided to edit it into a short film that premiered at the 2015 Los Angeles International Short Film Festival and later screened at the Cleveland International Film Festival, too. The short film is provided for you just below. It is a true testament to Jim’s filmmaking capabilities and is one of the many reasons why you should donate to the film’s fundraising campaign currently launching on Kickstarter.
The Kickstarter will end in just days, so make sure to get your donations in. So far, the fundraiser has raised about $17,890 of its $50,000 goal, which means it needs your help to reach its deadline. Remember: with Kickstarter, it’s all or nothing! By donating to the campaign, you can earn yourself post cards, digital downloads, blu-ray copies of the completed film, hats, signed scripts, screen used props, an invitation to the set, the opportunity to appear as an extra, invitation to the wrap party or movie premiere, and highly coveted actor and producer packages. Get to it, horror fans!
Scythe is written, directed and produced by Jim Rothman with co-producer Jose Alvarez. Rothman will also star alongside Andrea Muller and RObert B. Silver. Alex Simon will serve as cinematographer, with Tim Beck as composer and Charlie Boyce as editor.
“On the week of prom night in Concord North Carolina, RONALD WADE, known as The Grim Reaper Killer, escaped a prison transport and breaks into a hardware store, surprising high school student EMILY JOHNSON, the store owner’s daughter. Under the cover of the store’s blackout, a hide-or-be killed cat and mouse game ensues, ending with several stab wounds to Emily’s back with a SCYTHE, the killer’s signature weapon. A television left on breaks the news of the Grim Reaper’s escape and highlights his exploits, as he swings a scythe at Emily, beheading her. She is his latest victim. And his first mistake.
With prom cancelled and a mandatory curfew in effect, shy teen MEGAN MILLER is forced by her best friend KIM to meet with AMY, VICKY, REBECCA, and JENNIFER after hours at the abandoned pool for a party. At the pool party Megan opens up about her desire to be great, to be worthy of someone worth knowing. This confession leads the girls to bond and build a sisterhood to watch out for one another. Unbeknownst to them outside hovers the Grim Reaper Killer, targeting them as his newest victims. When young, disgraced FBI AGENT CHRIS GIBSON is tasked with recapturing the killer he encounters the seasoned US MARSHAL JOHN DECKER. After a jurisdictional dispute the two begrudgingly join forces. While examine Emily’s body it is Agent Gibson that discovers the killer’s mistake: this is not the work of The Grim Reaper Killer. It is someone else…”
