Black Mold is a 2023 American psychological horror thriller film written and directed by John Pata.[1][2] It stars Agnes Albright and Andrew Bailes as a pair of photographers who, while exploring an abandoned building, encounter a squatter (Jeremy Holm) who causes one of the photographers' traumatic memories of her father to resurface.[1][3]

Black Mold
Promotional release poster
Directed byJohn Pata
Written byJohn Pata
Starring
  • Agnes Albright
  • Andrew Bailes
  • Caito Aase
  • Jeremy Holm
Production
companies
  • Head Trauma Productions
  • The Line Film Company
  • Shatterglass Pictures
Release date
  • April 15, 2023 (2023-04-15) (Panic Fest)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Black Mold premiered at the 10th Panic Fest on April 15, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.[1][3]

Cast

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  • Agnes Albright as Brooke Konrad[3]
  • Andrew Bailes as Tanner Behlman[3]
  • Jeremy Holm as The Man Upstairs[3]
  • Caito Aase[2]

Production

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Writing and development

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Writer-director John Pata conceived the idea for Black Mold in 2016 while exploring a dilapidated house.[4] At the time, Pata was struggling with depression; he wrote a brief outline for the film, revisiting it and developing it in late 2020, after having attended therapy for his mental health struggles.[4]

Filming

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Shooting began in March 2022 in central Illinois, and lasted for about one month.[2][4]

Release

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Black Mold premiered at the 10th Panic Fest on April 15, 2023, at the Screenland Armour theater in Kansas City, Missouri.[1][3] The film screened at FrightFest in London, England, on August 25, 2023.[5]

Reception

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Grace Detwiler of Rue Morgue commended the film for its direction, cinematography, and production design, but criticized its characterization, as well as the execution of its themes.[1] However, Detwiler noted that, "the scares offered up by the film's final third are worthy of the first two acts' slow burn ... when the slow-growing tension finally comes to a head".[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Detwiler, Grace (April 17, 2023). "Panic Fest '23 Movie Review: World Premiere "Black Mold" Will Grow on You". Rue Morgue. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Melanson, Angel (March 3, 2022). "Exclusive: The Team Behind The Stylist Begins Photography On New Thriller Black Mold". Fangoria. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Squires, John (April 13, 2023). "The 'Black Mold' Spreads to Panic Fest This Weekend; Watch an Exclusive Clip Here". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Melanson, Angel (April 13, 2023). "Don't Panic: Black Mold Is Coming To Kansas City". Fangoria. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Gingold, Michael (August 22, 2023). "Exclusive Trailer Reveals a Killer "Black Mold" Problem". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
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