River trailer: Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe face a masked killer in new slasher – Universal Pictures Australia has released the official River trailer, ahead of the slasher’s arrival only in Australian cinemas on Thursday, 14 January 2027.
Notably, the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Joshua Giuliano. Universal describes it as a vivid, visceral new vision in the slasher genre, from the producers of Backrooms and Obsession.
It also continues a busy run of horror for Universal and Blumhouse, after TV Central covered The Exorcist: Martyrs trailer earlier this month.
Watch the River trailer
The trailer sets up a simple, terrifying premise. The sun is down, the boat is dead and there is no mobile reception. Meanwhile, someone is standing on the shore, staring.
What is River about?
Jane Levy (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead), Jessica Rothe (the Happy Death Day films, Pulse) and Max Mattern (Cape Fear, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) play estranged siblings. They reunite in their rural hometown after the death of their father.
Together, they set out to scatter his ashes at his favourite spot on a remote river. However, the trip soon becomes a fight for survival. The siblings are mercilessly hunted by a disturbing masked figure, played by Dane DiLiegro (Prey, Only Murders in the Building).
From Toronto to Australian cinemas
Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster acquired the film after what Universal calls a rapturous screening at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness program.
Meanwhile, Steven Schneider (executive producer of the Insidious franchise and Split) produces through his company Spooky Pictures. In addition, Nick Antosca (creator of the Cape Fear series and Verity) and Alex Hedlund (executive producer of the Cape Fear series and Verity) produce through their company Eat The Cat.
River trailer cast and credits
- Genre: Slasher
- Cast: Jane Levy, Jessica Rothe, Max Mattern and Dane DiLiegro
- Writer and director: Joshua Giuliano
- Producers: Steven Schneider, Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund
- Executive producers: Jeffrey Tinnell, Robert Tinnell, Matt Brodlie, Jonathan Kier, Ben Ross and Jason Blum
Overall, Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Independent Film Company present River, a Shudder Original Production in association with Upgrade.
When does River come out in Australia?
River opens only in Australian cinemas on Thursday, 14 January 2027.
For more TV Central movie previews, head here. To watch the trailer on YouTube, visit Universal Pictures Australia.