A group of wrestlers find themselves in a series of literal death matches at the behest of Satanists in the upcoming Shudder exclusive Dark Match by writer and director Lowell Dean (Wolfcop).
Critics have described Dark Match as a "hardcore" and "gore-soaked" horror movie. The story follows a small wrestling company that scores a high-paying gig in a sketchy location, unaware of what awaits them there. The new trailer teases some of the movie's bloody moments, showing how these wrestlers find themselves at the mercy of Satanists.
In the world of Dark Match, this cultist-run tournament is a literal death match—nothing fake or scripted here. The cult is preparing to make five sacrifices to the dark lord, which entails epic fights to the death. Only one wrestler gets to walk away.
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The main characters have no idea what they're in for when they pull up to this backwoods arena, immediately sensing that something is off but unable to back out once they've become part of the terrifying festivities. In one clip, Ayisha Issa's character, Miss Behave, notices that the cult's ringleader is filming all the fights to make a snuff film.
Hyperviolent and over-the-top, Dark Match promises to be a great time for all. Wrestling fans will recognize WWE superstar Chris Jericho in one of the lead roles as a character named Prophet. Jericho is also one of the film's executive producers. Other cast members include Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead), Ayisha Issa (Transplant), Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), Michael Eklund (The Call), and Jonathan Cherry (Goon).
Eleanor Wiebe joins Jericho as an executive producer. Dept. 9 Studios team members John K. MacDonald, Michel Feehan, and Don Depoe produce. Rhonda Baker (The Grudge) and Michael Peterson (Harpoon) share producing duties.
I don't consider myself a wrestling fan, but a wrestling horror movie involving evil cultists pitting these athletes against one another sounds like an absolute blast—or, as a character in the film describes it, "a real barn burner."
Shudder has acquired the rights to stream this Canadian action-horror film in the US, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Streaming on January 31, 2025.