January has a reputation for being horror’s dumping ground, the month studios use to quietly bury films they don’t believe in. River is about to change that perception entirely. Blumhouse Atomic Monster acquired this festival darling after it earned rave reviews at both TIFF and Fantastic Fest, two of the genre’s most respected launching pads, and a January 15, 2027 release date for a film with this much critical momentum signals genuine confidence from Universal. Joshua Giuliano’s feature debut has been compared to the stripped-down, primal energy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Halloween, and the assembled cast of two of horror’s most beloved final girls makes this one of the most exciting slasher releases in years. The official trailer just dropped, and it lives up to every word of that festival buzz.
The Story
Three estranged siblings reunite in their hometown after their father’s death. Together, they head to a remote river to scatter his ashes, one final act of family obligation. The boat breaks down. Cell service disappears. Miles from help, something emerges from the treeline. A faceless, relentless killer begins stalking them through the dark. To survive the night, siblings who can barely stand each other must set aside their grudges and fight as one.
The Cast and Crew
Jane Levy (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) and Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day, Pathetic Fallacy) lead the cast alongside Max Mattern (Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) and Dane DiLiegro (Prey). Joshua Giuliano writes and directs in his feature debut. Blumhouse Atomic Monster produces for Universal Pictures.
What Critics Are Saying
The festival reception has been outstanding. Bloody Disgusting’s Meagan Navarro called it lean, efficient, and anchored by a tremendous cast, “River doesn’t break from convention but instead uses the slasher tropes in its favor to ramp up the tension at a brisk and steady clip.” Other reviews in the trailer describe it as “a savage ride… straight into the gaping jaws of horror” and “a classic, visceral horror experience.” IndieWire goes furthest: “It will drown you in pure terror.”
The film is rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, and language.
River opens exclusively in theaters on January 15, 2027.
