Australian supernatural horror “Effigy” has completed production and unveiled its first look images, co-starring South Australian actor Chris Gun, who played Noel Gallagher in Michael Gracey’s “Better Man.”
Directed by Myles McEwen and Ripley Stevens, “Effigy” is set in 1989 England and follows the Marsh family as they endure a violent haunting sparked by the unearthing of a mysterious effigy doll. An entity behind the disturbance grows increasingly fixated on the family’s daughter, prompting two paranormal investigators to dig into what becomes a traumatic case. The film carries a psychosexual undertone and touches on depression, identity and faith.
McEwen and Stevens previously directed “Nightfall: A Paranormal Investigation,” which is set for a worldwide release in the coming months.
McEwen said the filmmakers took a different approach on “Effigy” than on their earlier work. “We poured our hearts and souls into this one. Unlike our previous features, we followed a standard storytelling model and chose to explore a depression that many of us can relate to. Through this, there’s a genuine heartbeat and soul that emerged from the film. We shot and designed the film to feel straight out of 1989, capturing the magic of cinema from that era.”
Gun previously appeared as Benny in Kelly Schilling’s “With or Without You.” He is joined in “Effigy” by Lauren Koopowitz, who plays an exorcist. Koopowitz is known for her voice work in “Hollow Knight: Silksong” and for a viral role in Michael and Danny Philippou’s YouTube series “Ash Vlogs.” Adelaide actor David Daradan and New Zealand actress Saya Kraetzer round out the cast as Daniel and Ashleigh Marsh, the parents at the center of the haunting.
“Effigy” is a Black Mandala Films production. Michael Kraetzer and Nicolás Onetti served as executive producers. Michael Kraetzer said the film pushes the genre forward. “Effigy takes supernatural Horror to new heights. An exorcism with psychosexual undertones. It’s genuinely terrifying to watch.”
The filmmakers unveiled two frames from “Effigy” and will premiere the film at a major festival. McEwen offered a cryptic tease about what audiences can expect. “Let’s just say … she’s already here.”