Stars: Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins, Amy Rutledge, Kathleen Brady, Adrian Egolf | Written and Directed by Jon Stevenson
The nineties might not have been the best era when it comes to horror movies. Some will disagree but for me, the amount of top quality horror from that decade is minimal. But that doesn’t stop that time period from being very nostalgic for me. The decade of movie son VHS and music on cassette is when I became a teenager, so any movie set at this time immediately piques my interest.
Rent-a-Pal follows David in 1990. A lonely guy who is stuck in his life of caring for his elderly mother who is suffering from dementia. But after six months using a video dating service, he discovers a videotape named Rent-a-Pal. Becoming addicted to this VHS friend who gives him someone to talk to and interact with, things do begin to look more positive,...
The nineties might not have been the best era when it comes to horror movies. Some will disagree but for me, the amount of top quality horror from that decade is minimal. But that doesn’t stop that time period from being very nostalgic for me. The decade of movie son VHS and music on cassette is when I became a teenager, so any movie set at this time immediately piques my interest.
Rent-a-Pal follows David in 1990. A lonely guy who is stuck in his life of caring for his elderly mother who is suffering from dementia. But after six months using a video dating service, he discovers a videotape named Rent-a-Pal. Becoming addicted to this VHS friend who gives him someone to talk to and interact with, things do begin to look more positive,...
- 1/7/2021
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
Jose Luis Montesinos’ Ropes won two awards including best feature.
Jose Luis Montesinos’ Ropes won two awards including best feature at Manchester-based horror festival Grimmfest. The event ran online this year from Oct 7-11 due to Covid-19.
Spanish title Ropes also saw Paula Del Rio win the best actress prize for playing a paralysed girl terrorised by a rabid dog. Montesinos’ feature debut was also nominated for best picture at Sitges last year,
Further winners included John Hyams, who won best director for Alone, and Brian Landis Folkins, who picked up best actor for Rent-a-Pal (which also won best screenplay...
Jose Luis Montesinos’ Ropes won two awards including best feature at Manchester-based horror festival Grimmfest. The event ran online this year from Oct 7-11 due to Covid-19.
Spanish title Ropes also saw Paula Del Rio win the best actress prize for playing a paralysed girl terrorised by a rabid dog. Montesinos’ feature debut was also nominated for best picture at Sitges last year,
Further winners included John Hyams, who won best director for Alone, and Brian Landis Folkins, who picked up best actor for Rent-a-Pal (which also won best screenplay...
- 10/16/2020
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins, Amy Rutledge, Kathleen Brady, Adrian Egolf | Written and Directed by Jon Stevenson
The nineties might not have been the best era when it comes to horror movies. Some will disagree but for me, the amount of top quality horror from that decade is minimal. But that doesn’t stop that time period from being very nostalgic for me. The decade of movie son VHS and music on cassette is when I became a teenager, so any movie set at this time immediately piques my interest.
Rent-a-Pal follows David in 1990. A lonely guy who is stuck in his life of caring for his elderly mother who is suffering from dementia. But after six months using a video dating service, he discovers a videotape named Rent-a-Pal. Becoming addicted to this VHS friend who gives him someone to talk to and interact with, things do begin to look more positive,...
The nineties might not have been the best era when it comes to horror movies. Some will disagree but for me, the amount of top quality horror from that decade is minimal. But that doesn’t stop that time period from being very nostalgic for me. The decade of movie son VHS and music on cassette is when I became a teenager, so any movie set at this time immediately piques my interest.
Rent-a-Pal follows David in 1990. A lonely guy who is stuck in his life of caring for his elderly mother who is suffering from dementia. But after six months using a video dating service, he discovers a videotape named Rent-a-Pal. Becoming addicted to this VHS friend who gives him someone to talk to and interact with, things do begin to look more positive,...
- 10/10/2020
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
Exclusive: UK distribution company Lightbulb Film has added three titles to its release slate.
They include Jon Stevenson’s retro horror Rent-a-Pal. Starring Brian Landis Folkins, Kathleen Brady and Wil Wheaton, the film is set in 1990 and follows a lonely bachelor searching for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his ageing mother. Whilst seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal.
The film screens at Sites and has its UK premiere at Grimmfest. It will be released On Demand on November 16 followed by a DVD in early 2021. The deal was negotiated with Sophia Aronne of The Exchange.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Rent-a-Pal to UK audiences. It’s nostalgic, engaging and creepy as hell,” said sales and acquisitions director, Peter Thompson.
Lightbulb has also picked up horror feature Sator, a film about a supernatural entity who threatens to claim a broken family.
They include Jon Stevenson’s retro horror Rent-a-Pal. Starring Brian Landis Folkins, Kathleen Brady and Wil Wheaton, the film is set in 1990 and follows a lonely bachelor searching for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his ageing mother. Whilst seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal.
The film screens at Sites and has its UK premiere at Grimmfest. It will be released On Demand on November 16 followed by a DVD in early 2021. The deal was negotiated with Sophia Aronne of The Exchange.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Rent-a-Pal to UK audiences. It’s nostalgic, engaging and creepy as hell,” said sales and acquisitions director, Peter Thompson.
Lightbulb has also picked up horror feature Sator, a film about a supernatural entity who threatens to claim a broken family.
- 10/8/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The origin of the drama Buoyancy can be traced back to when Australian filmmaker Rodd Rathjen came across an article a few years ago about Cambodian workers and their life on a Thai fishing trawler. He became riveted by the unbelievable story and upon more research, he said in a statement: “The scale of modern slavery and exploitation in Thailand is vast and hard to grasp.”
Written and directed by Rathjen, Buoyancy follows a spirited Cambodian teenager Chakra (Sarm Heng) who works the rice fields with his family but is looking for independence. He seeks the help of a local broker who said that they can get him paid work in a Thai factory. He heads to Thailand in hopes to find his fortuitous independence but when he gets there, he and his newfound friend Kea (Mony Ros), discover they’ve been duped. Along with other Cambodians and Burmese, they...
Written and directed by Rathjen, Buoyancy follows a spirited Cambodian teenager Chakra (Sarm Heng) who works the rice fields with his family but is looking for independence. He seeks the help of a local broker who said that they can get him paid work in a Thai factory. He heads to Thailand in hopes to find his fortuitous independence but when he gets there, he and his newfound friend Kea (Mony Ros), discover they’ve been duped. Along with other Cambodians and Burmese, they...
- 9/11/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Although the new thriller, Rent-a-Pal, is an occasionally encouraging debut feature from director Jon Stevenson, it fails to succeed fully on enough levels that it leaves less on the table for this particular outing than it does setting the table for the director’s next endeavor, whatever that may be.
Set in a dreary Denver, Colorado in the early 1990s, Rent-a-Pal follows David (Brian Landis Folkins) as he carries on somewhat meekly in a seemingly endless routine of caring for his invalid mother (Kathleen Brady). David, however, has been searching for love via a local video dating service called “Video Rendezvous.” While at the service, David happens upon a bargain-bin VHS tape titled “Rent-a-Pal” which he takes home and subsequently watches. The tape is hosted by Andy (Will Wheaton), an odd individual that offers David compassion, company, and friendship, but at an incredible cost.
The film is the directorial debut...
Set in a dreary Denver, Colorado in the early 1990s, Rent-a-Pal follows David (Brian Landis Folkins) as he carries on somewhat meekly in a seemingly endless routine of caring for his invalid mother (Kathleen Brady). David, however, has been searching for love via a local video dating service called “Video Rendezvous.” While at the service, David happens upon a bargain-bin VHS tape titled “Rent-a-Pal” which he takes home and subsequently watches. The tape is hosted by Andy (Will Wheaton), an odd individual that offers David compassion, company, and friendship, but at an incredible cost.
The film is the directorial debut...
- 9/11/2020
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Move over, Norman Bates. Here comes another lonely single man with mommy issues and a diminishing grasp on reality. He’s David, the central figure of Jon Stevenson’s darkly comic psychological thriller, and despite being superbly played by Brian Landis Folkins, he’s not even the most memorable character in Rent-a-Pal.
That would be Andy, seen only in a fuzzy VHS tape on a television screen. Portrayed by Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me, Star Trek: The Next Generation), he’s Andy’s imaginary friend who offers him just the sort of companionship and emotional support he needs to get through a ...
That would be Andy, seen only in a fuzzy VHS tape on a television screen. Portrayed by Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me, Star Trek: The Next Generation), he’s Andy’s imaginary friend who offers him just the sort of companionship and emotional support he needs to get through a ...
- 9/10/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Move over, Norman Bates. Here comes another lonely single man with mommy issues and a diminishing grasp on reality. He’s David, the central figure of Jon Stevenson’s darkly comic psychological thriller, and despite being superbly played by Brian Landis Folkins, he’s not even the most memorable character in Rent-a-Pal.
That would be Andy, seen only in a fuzzy VHS tape on a television screen. Portrayed by Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me, Star Trek: The Next Generation), he’s Andy’s imaginary friend who offers him just the sort of companionship and emotional support he needs to get through a ...
That would be Andy, seen only in a fuzzy VHS tape on a television screen. Portrayed by Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me, Star Trek: The Next Generation), he’s Andy’s imaginary friend who offers him just the sort of companionship and emotional support he needs to get through a ...
- 9/10/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
"I have been waiting for this moment for what feels like forever." One lonely man's discovery of a video tape in 1990 leads to an unsettling and potentially deadly friendship with an entity on the other side of the TV screen in Rent-a-Pal, coming to Digital, VOD, and select theaters on September 11th from IFC Midnight. Here's a look at an exclusive clip we've been given just for Daily Dead readers:
Synopsis: "Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy’s friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission.
Synopsis: "Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy’s friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission.
- 9/8/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Written and directed by Jon Stevenson Starring: Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins (Hoax), Kathleen Brady (Breaking Bad) and Amy Rutledge (Neighbor) In select theaters and on demand September 11 IFC Midnight on their latest release Rent-a-pal, starring Wil Wheaton of Star Trek and Stand By Me fame. (It was recently announced …
The post IFC Midnight’s retro Tinder nightmare Rent-a-pal w/ Wil Wheaton appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
The post IFC Midnight’s retro Tinder nightmare Rent-a-pal w/ Wil Wheaton appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
- 8/30/2020
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
More than 20 features and four world premieres selected for genre film festival.
UK genre film festival Grimmfest has revealed the line-up for its 2020 edition, which will take place online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scroll down for full line-up
The festival, which runs October 7 to 11, will open with the European premiere of US psychological thriller Alone, directed by John Hyams, in which a grieving widow is pursued through the wilderness by a relentless psychopath.
Grimmfest has also secured four world premieres for this year’s edition, which include US features The Special, from filmmaker B. Harrison Smith, and They Reach,...
UK genre film festival Grimmfest has revealed the line-up for its 2020 edition, which will take place online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scroll down for full line-up
The festival, which runs October 7 to 11, will open with the European premiere of US psychological thriller Alone, directed by John Hyams, in which a grieving widow is pursued through the wilderness by a relentless psychopath.
Grimmfest has also secured four world premieres for this year’s edition, which include US features The Special, from filmmaker B. Harrison Smith, and They Reach,...
- 8/14/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
"Rent-a-Pal" is the new thriller, written and directed by Jon Stevenson, starring Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins and Amy Rutledge, releasing September 11, 2020:
"...in 1990, lonely bachelor 'David' (Folkins) searches for an escape from caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange 'VHS' tape called 'Rent-a-Pal'.
"Hosted by charming, charismatic 'Andy' (Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy's friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Rent-a-Pal"...
"...in 1990, lonely bachelor 'David' (Folkins) searches for an escape from caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange 'VHS' tape called 'Rent-a-Pal'.
"Hosted by charming, charismatic 'Andy' (Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy's friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Rent-a-Pal"...
- 8/10/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
I had almost forgotten how much weirder and awkward "virtual" dating was before the advent of the internet and then along comes Rent-a-Pal to remind me.
Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Jon Stevenson, Rent-a-Pal stars Brian Landis Folkins as David, a loney guy for his mom and dipping his toe into video dating. While digging through the discount bin, he picks up a video tape titled "Rent-a-Pal," which features Andy Wil Wheton being appropriately creepy, a likeable guy, talking directly into the camera as if he's speaking directly to you.
Soon, David is dating and obsessed with talking with Andy but soon, it seems Andy is speaking directly to David as if he knows what's happening in the man's life; or maybe David is going a bit crazy.
I l...
Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Jon Stevenson, Rent-a-Pal stars Brian Landis Folkins as David, a loney guy for his mom and dipping his toe into video dating. While digging through the discount bin, he picks up a video tape titled "Rent-a-Pal," which features Andy Wil Wheton being appropriately creepy, a likeable guy, talking directly into the camera as if he's speaking directly to you.
Soon, David is dating and obsessed with talking with Andy but soon, it seems Andy is speaking directly to David as if he knows what's happening in the man's life; or maybe David is going a bit crazy.
I l...
- 8/8/2020
- QuietEarth.us
One morning, while browsing Reddit, filmmaker Jon Stevenson came across a very strange video on the internet: an old VHS tape called, Rent-a-Friend. Hosted by an enigmatic yet charming “Sam,” Rent-a-Friend offered entertainment, advice, and most importantly, friendship, to lonely people in a pre-digital age. “Who would watch this?!” Stevenson asked himself. The answer to that question would ultimately […] More...
- 8/6/2020
- by Josh Millican
- DreadCentral.com
"Nothing like a little friendly competition, right pal?" IFC Midnight has debuted a trailer for a 90s, VHS-throwback wacky horror titled Rent-a-Pal, which sounds like a horror comedy however it's anything but. One morning, while browsing Reddit, filmmaker Jon Stevenson came across a very strange video online: an old VHS tape called, 'Rent-a-Friend." Hosted by an enigmatic yet charming "Sam," Rent-a-Friend offered entertainment, advice, and most importantly, friendship, to lonely people in a pre-digital age. "Who would watch this?!" Stevenson asked. The answer to that question would ultimately become the story of Rent-a-Pal. Brian Landis Folkins stars as lonely bachelor who decides to "Rent-a-Pal" but discovers the cost is more than he can afford. Also starring Wil Wheaton, Amy Rutledge, and Kathleen Brady. This almost looks like something Cronenberg would make, without all his usual gore. But still Videodrome-esque creepy. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Jon Stevenson's Rent-a-Pal,...
- 8/5/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"I have been waiting for this moment for what feels like forever." One lonely man's discovery of a video tape in 1990 leads to an unsettling and potentially deadly friendship with an entity on the other side of the TV screen in the official trailer for Rent-a-Pal, coming to Digital, VOD, and select theaters on September 11th from IFC Midnight.
Written and directed by Jon Stevenson, Rent-a-Pal stars Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins, Amy Rutledge, and Kathleen Brady. Check out the official synopsis, trailer, and poster below:
Synopsis: "Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy...
Written and directed by Jon Stevenson, Rent-a-Pal stars Wil Wheaton, Brian Landis Folkins, Amy Rutledge, and Kathleen Brady. Check out the official synopsis, trailer, and poster below:
Synopsis: "Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy...
- 8/5/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The discovery of a video tape in 1990 leads to an unsettling and potentially deadly friendship through the TV screen in Rent-a-Pal. Directed by Jon Stevenson and starring Brian Landis Folkins and Wil Wheaton, Rent-a-Pal has been acquired by IFC Midnight, with a release planned for this September.
Press Release: IFC Midnight is acquiring North American rights to retro Tinder nightmare Rent-a-pal written and directed by Jon Stevenson, starring Brian Landis Folkins (Hoax), Wil Wheaton, Kathleen Brady (Breaking Bad), and Amy Rutledge (Neighbor). Inspired by real-life VHS tape ‘Rent-a-friend: The Original Video Companion’, a response to loneliness in the analog era. Rent-a-pal was produced by Annie Elizabeth Baker, Jimmy Weber, Jon Stevenson of Pretty People Pictures, alongside J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures. IFC Midnight will release the film in September 2020.
Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery...
Press Release: IFC Midnight is acquiring North American rights to retro Tinder nightmare Rent-a-pal written and directed by Jon Stevenson, starring Brian Landis Folkins (Hoax), Wil Wheaton, Kathleen Brady (Breaking Bad), and Amy Rutledge (Neighbor). Inspired by real-life VHS tape ‘Rent-a-friend: The Original Video Companion’, a response to loneliness in the analog era. Rent-a-pal was produced by Annie Elizabeth Baker, Jimmy Weber, Jon Stevenson of Pretty People Pictures, alongside J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures. IFC Midnight will release the film in September 2020.
Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery...
- 5/12/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Exclusive: IFC Midnight has acquired the North American rights to Jon Stevenson’s thriller Rent-a-Pal. The film will be released in September.
Inspired by the real-life VHS tape, Rent-a-Friend: The Original Companion, Rent-a-Pal is set in 1990 and follows a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins). In a pre-Tinder media era, David is looking to find an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal bosted by a charismatic gentleman named Andy (Wil Wheaton). The tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship but Andy’s friendship comes at a cost — and David is desperate to pay that price. Amy Rutledge also stars.
“It’s an honor to have my directorial debut released on IFC Midnight,” said Stevenson. “Their history of high-quality genre entertainment has directly inspired my work.
Inspired by the real-life VHS tape, Rent-a-Friend: The Original Companion, Rent-a-Pal is set in 1990 and follows a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins). In a pre-Tinder media era, David is looking to find an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal bosted by a charismatic gentleman named Andy (Wil Wheaton). The tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship but Andy’s friendship comes at a cost — and David is desperate to pay that price. Amy Rutledge also stars.
“It’s an honor to have my directorial debut released on IFC Midnight,” said Stevenson. “Their history of high-quality genre entertainment has directly inspired my work.
- 5/12/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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