Antrum (film)

Lore & Background

The film's central idea came from the concept of what it would be like to watch a purported 'cursed' film, which the filmmakers felt would make for a great horror film. Amito and Laicini studied various historical and cultural depictions of demons and the devil for the occult aspects, with further inspiration from a short film by David B. Earle titled Dining Room or There is Nothing. Principal photography took place in Southern California over one month, with a low budget and small crew. The film's plot involves siblings Oralee and Nathan, whose dog was euthanized, leading them into a forest ritual that conjures infernal figures. The mockumentary frame narrative recounts alleged deaths and disasters tied to screenings of the fictional 1979 film.

Reader's Guide

Antrum is significant as a meta-horror film that blurs the line between documentary and fiction, exploring the myth of a cursed film in a manner reminiscent of Ring (1998). Its use of subliminal imagery and disorienting sounds, as noted by experts in the film, adds to its unsettling atmosphere. The film received positive reviews for its creativity and acting, though some critics noted issues with pacing and runtime. It was released via Video-on-Demand and streaming services in Fall 2019 by Uncork’d Entertainment. The film's legacy lies in its innovative structure and its commentary on the power of belief and the horror of unseen forces.

Did You Know?

• The film's mockumentary claims that a 1979 print of Antrum was altered by an unknown third party.
• The rune seen throughout the film belongs to a demon named Astaroth, according to scholars in the documentary.
• Most symbols and runes in the film were taken from the 17th-century text Lesser Key of Solomon.
• The film was shot in a one-hundred-acre privately owned forest in Southern California.