IFC Films to release captive family drama ‘John and the Hole’ this August
By Mads Lennon
It looks like Sundance coming-of-age psychological thriller John and the Hole will finally release this August after IFC Films purchased the North American rights to the movie, which had its premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The news comes from a Variety exclusive that claims IFC intends to release the film later this summer.
Directed by visual artist Pascual Sisto (in his directorial debut), John and the Hole follows 13-year-old John (Charlie Shotwell) who decides to drug his entire family, including dad (Dexter himself, Michael C. Hall), mom (Jennifer Ehle) and older sister (American Horror Story alum Taissa Farmiga).
John then takes his family into an unfinished bunker he previously discovered in the woods and holds them there captive while he enjoys his newfound freedom. Variety previously ranked Sisto one of their “10 Directors to Watch.”
When will John and the Hole be released?
According to the publication, IFC Films will be releasing the movie on August 6. I’m guessing it will go straight to VOD, although it might also receive a limited run in theaters.
The film hasn’t received the best reaction from critics, most of whom already saw the film at Sundance. Mixed reviews claim the movie fails to make the most of its unique story and disquieting atmosphere, so it never ends up being as creepy as it could be.
But I don’t know, the idea of some teenager shoving me in a hole in the ground is pretty darn terrifying! I’ll certainly be watching it just for Hall and to see if any of John’s family members manage to make it out of the bunker alive.
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Are you planning to watch John and the Hole when it releases? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
John and the Hole will be released by IFC Films on August 6, 2021.