Teaser Trailer Debut – John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush Face Off in Twisted Psychological Thriller THE RULE OF JENNY PEN | In Theaters March 7th

"One of the best movies I've seen this year."- Stephen King

"Lithgow crushes in one of recent memory's more unusual thrillers. A marriage between the psychological eldercare drama you think you know and a toxically masculine 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'"- Alison Foreman, INDIEWIRE

"James Ashcroft has once more created a film packed with malice and dread, and gets the absolute best out of two of Hollywood’s pros. "- Kat Hughes, THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS

 Synopsis

Arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush) suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a retirement home. Resistant to the staff and distant from his friendly roommate, Mortensen soon clashes with seemingly gentle resident Dave Crealy (Lithgow) who secretly terrorizes the home with a sadistic game called "The Rule of Jenny Pen” while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. What begins as childish torment quickly escalates into far more sinister and disturbing incidents. When Mortensen's pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy's reign of terror.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Matt Henley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release

John Lithgow as Dave Crealy, Geoffrey Rush as Stefan Mortensen, and Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN.  

                Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stan Alley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.                  Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN.

About The Director

James Ashcroft formed Light in the Dark Productions in 2014, specializing in contemporary screen adaptations from New Zealand’s literary canon. His feature film directing debut Coming Home in the Dark premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2021 to great acclaim, followed by a global festival tour. He is currently working on a slate of features in the US including Max Brooks' Devolution and Grady Hendrix’ How To Sell A Haunted House, for Legendary Studios and Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, The Whisper Man for the Russo Brother’s AGBO Productions/Netflix and an adaptation of the graphic novel Old Haunts for AWA Studios.

He attended the Venice Biennale Cinema College as one of 12 teams selected worldwide. He was also one of 15 director/producers selected for the Torino Film Festivals inaugural Up & Coming Programme, showcasing talent from around the world. From 2006-2013, Ashcroft served as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of national Maori theatre company Taki Rua Productions, developing and touring New Zealand works both nationally and internationally. Ashcroft is a graduate of Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He has served internships with acclaimed theatre company The Wooster Group in New York.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stan Alley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

Geoffrey Rush as “Stefan Mortensen” in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN.

                        

Director: James Ashcroft

Screenwriters: Eli Kent, James Ashcroft

Cast: John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush

Producers: Catherine Fitzgerald, Orlando Stewart

Executive Producers: James Ashcroft, Eli Kent, John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Gotto, Nicholas Lazo, Samuel Zimmerman 

Director of Photography: Matt Henley

Editor: Gretchen Peterson

Composer: John Gibson  

Language: English

Country: New Zealand

Running Time: 103 minutes

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stan Alley. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.

John Lithgow as “Dave Crealy” and Jenny Pen in James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PEN.