Hoping to kick-off the Glasgow horrorathon in some style, Edgar Allan Poe adaptation Eliza Graves will open this year’s February Frightfest on Thursday, 26 February.

Based on Poe’s story The System Of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, the movie (renamed from its original Stonehearst Asylum) showcases an all-star cast that features the likes of Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley.

Here’s the synopsis:

“When young Doctor Edward Newgate arrives at Stonehearst Asylum in search of an apprenticeship he is warmly welcomed by superintendent Doctor Lamb. At first intrigued by Lamb’s modern methods of treating the insane, a series of events and warnings from the stunningly beautiful Eliza Graves lead him to make a shocking discovery. It’s a revelation that exposes Lamb’s medical utopia and pushes Edward to the limits of his conscience because nobody is who or what they appear to be.”

The movie is directed  by Brad Anderson, who will always be in my good books for having helmed asylum-set creepfest Session 9 back in the day.

The footage we’ve seen so far (we’ve included a clip below) suggests some lavish gothic chills, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Scottish shindig gets the launch it deserves with this one.

About The Author

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Simon is a journalism tutor in London, who also just happens to be a movie fanatic, with a craving for the darker side of cinema. He has written three books - on the horror films of director Bob Clark (2014), the history of the character Norman Bates (2015) and the work of British exploitation director Pete Walker (2017). He is currently working with director Richard Loncraine to explore all avenues in a bid to orchestrate the re-release of 1978 Mia Farrow chiller Full Circle