The Lodgers, a gothic ghost story directed by award winning filmmaker Brian O’Malley comes to Irish cinemas on March 9th 2018. Written by musician and Professor of Gothic literature, David Turpin and produced by Julianne Forde and Ruth Treacy of Tailored Films, it was filmed in Loftus Hall in Wexford, widely recognised as the ‘most haunted house in Ireland’.
Nominated for 3 IFTAs, the film stars Charlotte Vega (American Assassin), Bill Milner (Son of Rambow), Moe Dunford(Patrick’s Day, Michael Inside) and David Bradley (Harry Potter, The World’s End), with Deirdre O’Kane (Noble) rounding out the cast. The film, which premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and has been sold for theatrical release in over 22 countries receives its homegrown release in Ireland this March.
The film is set against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence in 1920s rural Ireland. Anglo Irish twins Rachel and Edward share a strange existence in their crumbling family estate. Every midnight, the mansion is haunted by the sinister presence of The Lodgers, who enforce three rules upon the twins: they must be in bed by midnight, they may not permit an outsider past the threshold, and they must always stay together.
When troubled war veteran Sean returns to the nearby village, he is immediately drawn to the mysterious Rachel, who in turn begins to break the rules set out by The Lodgers. The consequences pull Rachel into a deadly confrontation with her brother and with the curse that haunts them.
Since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, it has been wowing audiences and critics alike. The film has been honoured with 3 awards this year, including the Jury Prize for Best Film at the Molins de Rei Horror Film Festival in Barcelona, as well as official Jury Awards for Best Special Effects and Best Actress (Charlotte Vega) at Fancine Festival de Cine Fantastico de la Universidad de Malaga in Malaga, Spain.
The Lodgers is nominated for IFTAs in the categories of Best Costume Design (Sara Jane Ffrench O’Carroll), Best Production Design (Joe Fallover) and Best Visual Effects (Tailored Films and Bowsie Workshop).
Produced by Ruth Treacy and Julianne Forde of Tailored Films, the film was made with the participation of the Irish Film Board / Bord Scannán na hÉireann and international sales agents Epic Pictures.