A breakdown. A kind invitation. A cabin with a bloody past. Alex and her newfound friends face a nightmarish reality as they are picked off one by one, drawn to the sinister bench below. Inspired by low-budget horror films of the 1970s.
In the summer of 2007, a group of emerging filmmakers and actors ventured into the Scottish wilderness to create a unique homage to the classic American horror films of the 1970s. Their project, titled The Bench, was inspired by the raw and terrifying ambiance of Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). However, despite their ambitions and the innovative use of HDV tape—recalling the visual aesthetic of 16mm film long absent from modern cinema—the film was never completed… until now.
Magic Monkey Films, known for their works like Mercy Falls and Lost At Christmas, proudly announces the revival of The Bench. This project, dormant for years, now brings a modern twist to the nightmarish reality that a group of friends face as they are drawn to a sinister bench in a secluded location, disappearing one by one. The film aims to tap into the grungy, guerrilla filmmaking ethos of The Blair Witch Project, while retaining the raw terror and suspense that made Texas Chainsaw Massacre a genre-defining classic.
The Bench is more than just a film; it is an homage to the classics that have chilled audiences for decades. The narrative is designed to evoke the iconic scenes of 1974’s horror masterpiece, as it slowly unravels the mystery of the bench and the ominous fate that befalls those who encounter it. The increasing body count throughout the film is a grim reminder of the real horror that the original films conveyed.
The cast features early performances by actors such as Joy McAvoy (Filth), Matt McClure (Penny Dreadful), and Tony McGeever (Shetland), accompanied by a killer soundtrack with tracks from Moby, The Rainbow Girls, and Blue Sky Archives, which includes Chvrches lead singer Lauren Mayberry.
The Bench is available now to rent or buy on Prime Video, offering a fresh experience for fans of traditional horror and those intrigued by the revival of this once-lost project. This release promises to be a compelling addition to the horror genre, respecting its roots while offering new thrills and chills to a new generation of viewers.
