SXSW: Crime Thriller 'Initiation' Acquired by Saban Films

Saban Films announced today that they have acquired the North American rights to John Berardo’s (The Labyrinth) Initiation. The film was selected for a world premiere in the Midnighters section at SXSW under its original title Dembanger.

The new film stars Lochlyn Munro (The Predator, “Riverdale”), Isabella Gomez (“One Day at a Time”), Jon Huertas (“This is Us”), Froy Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), Bart Johnson (High School Musical), and Yancy Butler (Kick-Ass, Drop Zone).

The film was inspired by Berardo’s short film Dembanger, about the perils of posting on social media. Berardo co-wrote the script alongside Brian Frager and Lindsay LaVanchy. XYZ Films is introducing Initiation to international distributors during the Cannes virtual market.

Teen horror is back with a vengeance in this edgy slasher about a cruel social media game that spins out of control. Whiton University unravels the night a star-athlete is murdered in the wake of a buried assault allegation, kicking off a spree of social media-linked slayings. As a masked killer targets students across campus, a trio of sorority sisters race to uncover the truth behind the school’s hidden secrets — and the horrifying meaning of an exclamation point – before they become the killer’s next victims.

“We hope that the film’s topical themes and innovative portrayal of social media resonate with the cultural zeitgeist to create a thought-provoking thrill ride that will appeal to digital natives and genre fans alike,” says director John Berardo. “Initiation pays homage to the nineties horror classics I grew up on, but with a modern take for today’s socially conscious generation. We’re thrilled to partner with Saban and XYZ Films, both huge forces in the genre space.”

“John has created a frighteningly realistic horror that will have audiences watching with bated breath,” commented Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “Initiation is the latest addition to our growing catalogue of genre films, and we’re excited to provide a platform and audience for it.”

You can check out the teaser trailer for Initiation below. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for more of all things horror.