❉ Arrow Films unveils first trailer for first feature from director-actor-writer Mark O’Brien’s debut chiller ahead of June release.
Arrow Films have unveiled the official trailer for the extraordinary chiller The Righteous, an award-winning standout on the genre festival circuit. Arrow Films is planning a June 10th digital release in the UK, US and Eire on ARROW, the brand’s SVOD service.
This first feature from director-actor-writer Mark O’Brien (AMC’s 61st Street, Ready or Not, Blue Bayou) is a dark chiller about a burdened man who feels the wrath of a vengeful God, after he and his wife are visited by a mysterious stranger. The film stars O’Brien, Henry Czerny (Ready or Not, Mission Impossible, “Revenge”) and Mimi Kuzyk (The Day After Tomorrow, The Final Cut, “Shadowhunters”).
The Righteous had its World Premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in 2021, winning the Cheval Noir and Silver Award, and has since gone on to win a Bloodie at the 2021 Blood in the Snow Film Festival, and the Grimmfest Award at the 2021 Grimmfest. The film garnered rave reviews from around the globe, with Nick Allen of RogertEbert.com claiming the film “displays an ambitious leader of performances and someone with ideas that continue the conversations from Bergman’s best.” The film had its US premiere at the 2022 Santa Barbara Film Festival.
A unique and darkly engaging spiritual thriller, strikingly shot in black and white, The Righteous tells the story of Frederic (Henry Czerny) a grieving man struggling with his faith, who helps an injured young man, Aaron Smith (Mark O’Brien) who stumbles onto his property one night, claiming to be lost in the woods. Frederic and his wife (Mimi Kuzyk) invite the man to stay for the night, but Frederic soon begins to have doubts about this enigmatic stranger’s story – and his motives for being there. When Aaron asks Frederic to commit an unspeakable deed, it becomes clear that the man is not who he seems, and has been sent to test the very limits of Frederic’s existence.
The film has been acclaimed by critics on the festival circuit, including such raves as: “A brazenly ambitious horror film about grief and belief” and “Mark O’Brien dominates both in front and behind the camera” from Alexandra Heller-Nicholas of The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, “Deeply engrossing and affecting… the film packs a philosophical punch from Brian Fanelli at Horror Buzz, and “a remarkably assured directorial debut from O’Brien that provides a gratifying experience that is sure to chill, linger and provoke in ways that harken the best of horror cinema” from Harris Dang of In Their Own League.
As an actor, Mark O’Brien is one of the stars of Showtime’s City On A Hill, starring opposite Kevin Bacon and produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. He was also one of the stars of AMC’s critically acclaimed series Halt And Catch Fire as well as the Amazon series The Last Tycoon opposite Kelsey Grammar, Lily Collins and Matt Bomer. In 2016, he starred in Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival which went on to garner eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Other films include Marriage Story, opposite Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, the box office hit Ready Or Not for Fox Searchlight, Andrew Niccol’s Anon, starring Clive Owen and Amanda Seyfried, as well as the FOX feature The Darkest Minds, starring opposite Mandy Moore, based on the best-selling novel, Jason Retiman’s The Front Runner opposite Hugh Jackman.
In 2020, Mark won the Canadian Screen Award (Canada’s Oscar) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the film, Goalie. O’Brien also appeared in several hit series including NBC’s Hannibal, where he played a recurring role. He can next be seen in AMC’s highly anticipated limited series 61st Street, starring opposite Courtney B. Vance, and produced by Michael B. Jordan. He will also be one of the stars in season two of HBO’s acclaimed series Perry Mason, currently filming.
Writer/director/star Mark O’Brien shared: “As a dedicated fan of Arrow Films, I am beyond thrilled to be partnering with them on my debut feature film and continuing my relationship with Vortex Media. Arrow Films are a filmmaker and cinephile’s dream. It’s an honour to be a part of their tremendous catalogue.”
ARROW is available with a 30-day free trial on the following Apps/devices: Xbox, Roku (all Roku sticks, boxes, devices, etc), Apple TV; iOS devices, Android TV and mobile devices, Fire TV (all Amazon Fire TV Sticks, boxes, etc), and on all web browsers at www.ARROW-Player.com.Subscriptions are available for £4.99 monthly or £49.99 annually. ARROW is now available on Xbox.
❉ ‘The Righteous’ set for June 10th digital release in the UK, US and Eire on ARROW, the brand’s SVOD service. Directed by Mark O’Brien. Produced by Mark O’Neill and Allison White. Executive producers Marc Hamou, Walter Lawlor, David Miller and Mark O’Brien. Starring starring Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny & Mimi Kuzyk. 97 minutes / Canada / English.
❉ News source: Justin Cook PR, Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
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