Get ready to have your spine chilled and your mind racing, because this Halloween, a true-crime horror film is hitting theaters that will make you question the darkness lurking in the most unexpected places. But here’s where it gets controversial: Dorothea, a film based on the real-life story of a serial-killing grandmother, is set to premiere, and it’s already sparking debates about the ethics of turning true tragedies into entertainment. And this is the part most people miss: the film doesn’t just exploit the horrors—it delves into the psychological and societal factors that allowed such atrocities to occur, making it a thought-provoking watch rather than just a scare fest.
Epic Pictures’ horror label, Dread, is bringing Dorothea to theaters on Halloween, with a VOD release following on November 4. Written and directed by Chad Ferrin, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Susan Priver (Night Caller), Lew Temple (The Walking Dead), Brinke Stevens (House on Haunted Hill), and Robert Miano (Fast & Furious), among others. The story centers on Dorothea Puente, a seemingly ordinary grandmother who ran a boarding house in the 1980s. Beneath her unassuming facade, however, lay a chilling secret: she drugged, murdered, and buried her elderly and disabled tenants in her own backyard. This isn’t just a horror film—it’s a chilling reminder that evil can hide in plain sight.
Dorothea is the second installment in Dread’s true-crime horror series, following this year’s Ed Kemper, with a film about Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, already in the works. Here’s the bold part: Dread CEO Patrick Ewald describes these films as ‘unflinching explorations of the darkest corners of human nature.’ But is it ethical to profit from such real-life horrors? Ewald argues that these films serve as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the circumstances that enable such crimes. ‘Chad Ferrin’s direction masterfully captures the era, atmosphere, and psychology of these events,’ Ewald says, ‘and our upcoming film on Ramirez will push the boundaries even further.’
The trailer, exclusive to The Hollywood Reporter, offers a glimpse into the film’s eerie tone and gripping narrative. But as you watch, consider this: Are we glorifying these crimes, or are we using them as a mirror to confront the darker aspects of humanity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation that’s sure to spark debate.
