| Ravenstein | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Eveshka Ghost |
| Written by | Thomas Walters, Eveshka Ghost |
| Produced by | Thomas Walters |
| Starring | James McClusky, Nik Kaneti-Dimmer, Chris Wilson, Martyn Eade |
| Music by | Chris Wilson |
Production company | Rusalka Pictures [1] |
| Distributed by | Rusalka Pictures Ltd. Bayview Entertainment [2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes [3] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £400 (estimated) |
Ravenstein is a 2020 British horror film directed by Eveshka Ghost and co-written with Thomas Walters. It is the third feature produced by Rusalka Pictures and stars James McClusky, Nik Kaneti-Dimmer, Chris Wilson, and Martyn Eade.
The film follows two friends whose urban exploration of an abandoned worksite turns into a fight for survival when they encounter a monstrous creature known as the "Ravenstein". It was released in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2020 and was noted by genre media outlets for its creature design and ambitious execution on a micro-budget. [4] [5]
Two friends, David (McClusky) and Marky (Kaneti-Dimmer), discover an abandoned worksite during a night ride home. Inside, they meet Jack (Wilson), a homeless man who recounts a local legend about a cursed family and a man transformed into a monstrous birdlike creature. As they explore further, the pair are hunted by the creature—known as the "Ravenstein"—and must find a way to escape its nesting ground. The story weaves folklore, generational guilt, and psychological horror into a confined setting before culminating in a violent confrontation between father and son against the beast.
Following post-production on The Bastard Sword , Eveshka Ghost and Thomas Walters began developed Ravenstein based on an idea centered around an abandoned industrial site in West Sussex. [6] Ghost directed the film, while Walters served as producer.
James McClusky, who had appeared in all previous Rusalka Pictures productions, was cast as David and described by Ghost as the studio's “good luck charm.” [7] Nik Kaneti-Dimmer, a frequent collaborator, joined as Marky. Martyn Eade played Ray, a father figure role contrasting his villainous part in The Bastard Sword. [8] Chris Wilson portrayed Jack and also performed as the creature itself. Executive producer Xander Phillips described Wilson as “our resident Boris Karloff” due to his dual role and transformation sequences. [9]
The film was shot in privately owned locations across West Sussex over twelve sessions with a skeleton crew. [10] Due to production limits, the audio was dubbed in post-production, which lasted nearly two years. [11] Wilson also composed the film's heavy metal score, replacing the classical themes typical of earlier Rusalka releases. [12]
Ravenstein premiered on 24 October 2020 but had a limited theatrical presence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [13] It was later released on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats, including a limited VHS collector's edition.
The film received favourable coverage from genre-focused media, particularly for its creature effects and “Hammer Horror”-inspired atmosphere. [14]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Los Angeles Film Awards | Best Horror | Won (Honourable Mention) | [15] |
| 2020 | Haunted House Fear Fest | Official Selection | Nominated | [16] |
| 2020 | Global Film Awards | Official Selection | Nominated | [17] |