Freswick fright film gets North American release

A feature length supernatural thriller film shot entirely on location at Freswick Castle, is set for a wide release across all Video-On-Demand platforms across North America today (November 17).

The atmospheric chiller, created by brothers Fionn and Toby Watts and called Playhouse, received its world première at FrightFest: Digital Edition in August, which would have been a red carpet event in London's Leicester Square but for Covid-19 restrictions.

Toby, who wrote the screenplay for the film, said: "Premièring at FrightFest was a massive achievement for us. We were absolutely delighted to be accepted into the festival, which is adored by horror and thriller fans everywhere and consistently recognised as one of the top horror and fantasy film festivals in the world."

Fionn, who produced and directed Playhouse along with Toby, said: "Sitting in our front rooms watching a film we’d spent years making stream to thousands of fans across the UK was a strange and exhilarating experience. It wasn’t quite the red carpet glitz and glamour that a world première normally brings but, nonetheless, what the festival pulled together digitally was excellent and we received a lot of great reviews from critics."

A review by Flickering Myth said: “With a killer location, an exceptional cast, and tight direction from the Watts brothers, Playhouse offers up a taut riff on a familiar haunted house premise. 4/5 stars."

Another review by Horror DNA said: “Watts Brothers Fionn and Toby’s atmospheric supernatural thriller achieves a world of suspense and chilly beauty. Well cast and packing a visual punch with a powerful involving set-up, suspense stays strong. There’s much to relish in Playhouse. 4/5 stars”

Playhouse also won best thriller feature film at Hot Springs International Horror Festival in Arkansas and garnered two nominations from the Total Film FrightFest Awards 2020, for best actor and best scare.

The films’ sales agent and North American distributor, Devilworks, has secured sales to various territories around the world, and a UK distribution deal is also in the pipeline.

Toby said: "We’ve come so far with our debut feature film, which has taken three hard years of work to write, produce and release. We’re really excited about the North American release and to see what fans across the Atlantic make of the film."

Fionn added: "Growing up in Caithness and in particular at Freswick Castle gave us a wealth of cinematic visual references to draw on as we created the film. It’s going to be a great moment when Americans, Canadians, and eventually British people, stream the film in their own homes and get to experience our own vision of the area. In terms of the location, we think many people will never have seen anywhere like this before in their lives."

The Watts brothers cast Helen Mackay, from Thurso, in Playhouse, and worked with various other artists and craftspeople from the county during the production of the film. Lindsay Broomfield, from Thurso, was their production and costume designer, and originally came from a background in theatre, but was thrilled to have the opportunity to transition to film and work on something local.

Whilst promoting Playhouse and giving interviews to various news outlets and genre film platforms, Fionn and Toby are also developing their next feature film and talking to a range of new investors interested in financing their production in 2021.

Freswick feature at fantasy film festival

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