Lenore.

In the lead up to its world premiere at Horror-on-Sea, upcoming psycho -horror film, Lenore, has released it’s terrifying first official trailer, giving audiences a glimpse at was has been described as “a masterclass in techno-gothic storytelling” and “the perfect ghost story for the digital age.”

The debut feature of writer and director David Ward, whose credits include the acclaimed short films Womb and Dorothy (both ATOM Award winners), Lenore is shot in a raw, noisy, and Gothic style. Ward co-wrote the screenplay alongside award-winning writer/director Josie Hess (Morgana).

Set in the squalid basement of a suburban home, unemployed filmmaker and terminally online sycophant Max Wren spends his days and nights hunting for footage of the controversial influencer and performer ‘Lenore’, piecing together a distorted tribute in the wake of her sudden disappearance. However, before he can complete his task, Max must first contend with a string of suspicious visitors and—worse still—a malevolent force that seems to live within his grotesque editing suite. As Max is propelled through the night, his desperation unravels into madness as the truth behind Lenore’s life and disappearance comes to light; and Max’s own sins can no longer be hidden.

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Nicholas Jaquinot stars as Max Wren, with Ruby Duncan performing as the titular Lenore. With them are supporting performances by Samuel Macdonald, Caithlin O’Loghlen, Scott McKenzie, David Gannon, Freya Callahan, Bobby James, Abbie James, and Joshua Dawe.

Ward describes Lenore as a metaphor for the dangerous alienating effects of online interaction, saying: “Life online promises to shield us from the pain of existence, to hold us inside ourselves. There’s no need to face the boring, dangerous real world when its all-too-convincing facsimile is right there at your fingertips. It’s a place untethered from the painful reality of body and soul, where you exist precisely as you wish—and so does everyone around you. Or so it seems…”

Producers include Madeline Claire French and Riley Sugars, alongside Ward and Jaquinot, who both take producer credits. As reported on Deadline, the film has been acquired by Moviehouse Entertainment for worldwide sales (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

The film will screen at Horror-on-Sea on the 23rd of January, 2026, with future screenings at other major festivals to be announced in the coming weeks.

 

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