Dwellers (film)

Last updated
Dwellers
Dwellers poster art.jpg
Directed by Drew Fortier
Written byDrew Fortier
Produced by David Ellefson
James L. Edwards
StarringDrew Fortier
James L. Edwards
Douglas Esper
Edited byDrew Fortier
Release dates
  • February 2021 (2021-02)(Mad Monster Party)
  • October 12, 2021 (2021-10-12)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$0

Dwellers is an American found footage horror film written by, directed by, and starring Drew Fortier. [1] The plot of the film follows a documentary crew who eventually go missing while uncovering the truths behind the disappearances within a homeless community. [2] [3] The film stars Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards, and Douglas Esper as themselves. [4] [5]

Contents

Cast

Production

Production was held over five non-consecutive days in the summer of 2019 with a budget of zero dollars. [6] Included locations are: Barberton and Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Nashville. [7] [8]

In August 2019, the poster and teaser trailer were released for the film which includes a voiceover by Mitch Lafon from Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon as well as the Nine Inch Nails song "The Day the World Went Away" covered by Indie rock band The Foxery. [7]

In November 2019, the full trailer for the film was released which features a cover of the Nine Inch Nails track "We're in This Together" performed by Ajna Cova . [9] [10]

According to a Q&A panel held at Rue Morgue's Frightmare in the Falls convention, David Ellefson and Drew Fortier explained that the film will be a gritty cinéma vérité experience with the story being told through the documentary being filmed as well as the behind the scene footage that the Drew character insists on being shot. Dwellers is described by Fortier as being heavily influenced by the films The Blair Witch Project and C.H.U.D. . [11]

Premiere

In February 2021, Dwellers had its world premiere at the Mad Monster Party horror convention in Concord, North Carolina. The film's producer David Ellefson along with writer, director, and star Drew Fortier were in attendance for the event where they were presented with the Best Horror Feature award from the event's film festival. [12]

Reception

Dwellers has received positive reviews amongst horror film critics including JoBlo.com who concluded that, "Drew Fortier's passion for the genre is ever-present, and I'll raise a drink to that type of love as it was integral to my youth as well. It's clear that Dwellers is a labor of love and working within some stringent limitations makes me appreciate the end result more. Drew, Doug, and James have good chemistry, with a few funny moments giving me the notion that these guys are friends in real life. With a sh*t load of cameos, It may be safe to say this is the heavy metal edition of The Blair Witch Project." [13]

In April 2022, Dread Central included Dwellers on their 4 Subterranean Features To Pair With 'C.H.U.D.' list which describes the film as "It’s a better sequel to C.H.U.D. than the one we got, which, granted, isn’t a high bar. But I digress. There’s a good bit of heart and fun throughout the film, which you know always resonates with me." [14]

Awards

YearEventAwardRecipientsResult
2021Mad Monster Film FestBest Horror Film [15] Drew Fortier Won
Horrors4uBest Ensemble Cast [16] Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards, Douglas EsperNominated
BridgefestBest Horror FilmDrew FortierWon
Screamwriting FestivalBest Horror Film [17] Won
Vegas Movie AwardsBest Horror Film [18] Won
Best Producer David Ellefson Won
LA Sci-Fi & Horror FestivalBest ActorDrew FortierWon
Horrorhound Film FestivalMidnight Madness Drinking Game [19]
The Thing in the Basement Horror FestBest Director [20] Drew FortierWon
Best Feature FilmNominated
Hollywood Blood Horror FestBest Documentary [21] Won
Five Continents International Film FestivalBest Horror Feature Film [22] Won
Best Editing Feature FilmNominated
Best Screenplay Feature FilmNominated
Horror Bowl Movie AwardsMost Disturbing Scenes [23] Drew FortierWon
Crypticon Film FestMost Shocking Indie Film (Minneapolis) [24] Won
Most Shocking Indie Film (Kansas City)Won
Houston Horror Film FestBest Feature FilmNominated
Best ActorNominated
Best Supporting ActorJames L. EdwardsNominated
B Beside the SeasideBest Comedic SidekickDouglas EsperWon
National Independent Film AssociationBest Microbudget FilmDrew FortierWon
2022Rome International Movie AwardsBest Actor [25] Won
Best DirectorWon
Best DocumentaryWon
White Unicorn International Film FestivalBest Horror Feature FilmWon

Release

Dwellers was released on Blu-Ray and Digital on October 12, 2021. [26]

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References

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