S1 E2: Winchester (dir. Spierig & Spierig, 2018)

Crow Talk: Film Squawk

The most haunted house in the world sits on an isolated parcel of land in rural California, and every day it gets bigger. Engineered by firearm heiress Sarah Winchester (Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren), the monstrous mansion stands seven stories tall, boasting hundreds of rooms and counting. Thought to be the work of a deranged old woman, Sarah understands what no one else can about this work: the Winchester prison must exist, must expand, not for Sarah or her niece, but to house hundreds of vengeful ghosts and keep the worst of them from exacting their terrifying revenge.

Peter Spierig & Michael Spierig are Australian twin brothers, best known for their thriller/horror writing (Daybreakers, 2009), production (Predestination, 2014), and directorial (Jigsaw, 2017) endeavors. Future projects include Wunderkind, a Nazi hunter tale written by newcomer Patrick Aison and produced by J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 2015; Star Trek, 2009; Cloverfield, 2008.)

Helen Mirren’s previous portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II—on screen and on stage—have earned her an Academy Award (2007) and a Tony (2015). Previously, her evocative embodiment of police detective Jane Tennison in the acclaimed ITV series Prime Suspect won her several Emmys, and—together with her lauded experience portraying royalty—set a specific foundation for this most recent role as Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester kingdom and protector from evil. Look for her as Mother Ginger in Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms out later this year.

In search of other spectacular horror films release between 2010 and 2018? CHECK OUT THIS LOVELY LIST!

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