Eli Roth’s Found Footage Horror ‘Dream Eater’ Arrives October

Roth’s endorsement carries weight in horror circles, given his decades of genre expertise. In a statement to Variety (July 9, 2024), he recounted watching “Dream Eater” alone: “I was so blown away… I had to turn on the lights. It achieves the holy grail of horror: to absolutely terrify you.” He explicitly compared its impact to landmark found-footage films, noting how “The Blair Witch Project” forced him to sleep with lights on and “Paranormal Activity” compelled him to immediately share the trauma with Quentin Tarantino during the filming of “Inglourious Basterds.” Roth believes directors Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, and Alex Lee Williams have crafted a potential cultural phenomenon, stating: “This has the potential to break out as the next ‘Paranormal Activity.'”

The Horror Section acquired distribution rights following Roth’s emphatic reaction. This marks the company’s second major release after August’s “Jimmy and Stiggs,” signaling Roth’s commitment to elevating innovative horror voices through wide theatrical runs. Industry analysts note the strategic October 24 release positions “Dream Eater” to capitalize on Halloween moviegoing trends, where original horror often outperforms franchises.

What Nightmares Await in “Dream Eater”?

Co-directed by and starring Mallory Drumm and Alex Lee Williams alongside Jay Drakulic, “Dream Eater” follows documentary filmmaker Mallory (Drumm) as she records her boyfriend Alex’s (Williams) escalating violent parasomnia during a cabin retreat. As his sleep-based episodes grow increasingly disturbing, Mallory suspects supernatural forces are exploiting his condition. The trailer showcases stark, immersive found footage: jerky camerawork captures Alex’s unconscious rampages, eerie distortions warp the cabin’s interiors, and an unseen entity’s presence amplifies the couple’s isolation in snowbound wilderness.

The filmmakers adopted a fiercely independent approach, financing the project through Vortex Media and shooting with a minimal crew in Quebec’s remote Laurentian Mountains. In a joint statement, the trio emphasized their DIY ethos: “We were tired of waiting for permission… so we put everything on the line.” This authenticity resonates in the trailer’s raw visuals and palpable dread, aligning with Roth’s praise for its “low-budget DIY filmmaking” achievements. The directors cheekily added that partnering with Roth is “a nightmare realized – in the best possible way.”

Backed by Eli Roth’s passionate advocacy and a trailer dripping with primal dread, “Dream Eater” emerges as a must-watch horror event this October. The found footage chiller promises to weaponize sleep disorders and isolation into visceral terror, evoking the genre’s most influential works. Experience the “Dream Eater trailer” above and brace for its theatrical haunting on October 24 – if you dare.

Must Know

Q: What is “Dream Eater” about?
A: The film follows documentary filmmaker Mallory (Mallory Drumm) as she records her boyfriend Alex’s (Alex Lee Williams) violent sleep disorder at a remote cabin. As his parasomnia worsens, she uncovers evidence of a malevolent entity exploiting his condition, blurring nightmares and reality.

Q: When does “Dream Eater” release?
A: Eli Roth’s The Horror Section will release “Dream Eater” in theaters nationwide on October 24, 2024, strategically timed for Halloween.

Q: Who directed “Dream Eater”?
A: The film is co-directed by Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, and Alex Lee Williams, who also star and wrote the screenplay. They financed and shot it independently in Canada’s Laurentian Mountains.

Q: Why is Eli Roth involved?
A: Roth’s company, The Horror Section, acquired distribution rights after he deemed it 2024’s scariest film. He compared its impact to genre landmarks like “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity.”

Q: Is “Dream Eater” found footage?
A: Yes, it utilizes found footage techniques to create an immersive, first-person perspective of the couple’s terrifying ordeal, enhancing realism and tension.