Blue Finch Films has boarded international sales on two genre titles ahead of their world premieres at FrightFest 2025, adding Eric Owen’s cat-and-mouse thriller “In a Cold Vein” and Matt Harlock’s mind-bending “Blockhead” to its slate.
“In a Cold Vein” marks the second feature from Owen, who is also recognized for his musical work as part of UTA-repped rock duo Black Pistol Fire. The thriller follows a professional criminal who, after surviving an assassination attempt, embarks on a relentless quest to identify his would-be killer and protect his family. Owen wrote and scored the film, which features a lead performance from Evan Gamble (“American Sniper”).
“I’m so excited to be partnering with the folks at Blue Finch, whose body of work speaks for itself, and whom I’ve known for some time,” Owen said. “I can’t wait for audiences to catch the wild ride that is ‘In a Cold Vein’, the most insane movie ever shot in 10 days. Three acts, three separate thriller subgenres – going from survival, to noir, to revenge, as we watch Dean O’Reilley endure the craziest 24 hours of his life.”
The film is produced by Samantha McDane, Josh Taylor and festival veteran Evrim Ersoy, alongside Owen.
“Blockhead” represents the first narrative feature from Harlock, whose documentary “American: The Bill Hicks Story” earned critical acclaim. The dark thriller centers on a struggling novelist desperate for inspiration who believes his muse has appeared in the form of a drunk, psychotic decorator. As his writing comes alive, his life descends into violence and chaos, potentially resulting in his breakthrough novel.
Harlock wrote, directed and produced the film via Halflife Films, with Oliver Kendall also producing. The project was made in association with Mint Cake and xFilm, starring Danny Horn (“Dr. Who,” “Sunny Afternoon”) and Joe Sims (“Broadchurch”).
“We are so excited to be working with the Blue Finch team again – our perfect genre partners for this crazy spiral into the depths of creative insanity,” Harlock said. “Making the film was a blast of adrenaline – every cast and crew member responding as storytellers to depicting the dark side of the creative process, resulting in the deeply committed performances from Danny Horn and Joe Sims. I am really looking forward to sharing this exciting and hallucinatory trip with audiences – hopefully taking them somewhere otherworldly, terrifying yet dreamlike.”
The acquisitions strengthen Blue Finch’s genre portfolio, which already includes Fantasia-selected titles “Hold The Fort” and “Hellcat,” as well as SXSW sci-fi selection “Redux Redux.”
Both films will have their world premieres at FrightFest, which runs Aug. 21-25.
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