Highlights:
- Special effects legend Steve Boyle will be making his directorial debut with this upcoming film
- The Demon Disorder will be the first feature produced by Formation Pictures, a new Australian production company
- The film has been described by Boyle as an “elevated” body horror genre piece
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Australian FX artist Steven Boyle is set to make his directorial debut with the upcoming feature film The Demon Disorder.
This demonic new horror movie is about three brothers whose father has passed away.
The plot reads:
“Tells the story of Graham, Jake, and Phillip Reilly and their deceased father. Their pasts collide when a family secret is discovered, leading their father’s garage to become the site of revenge from beyond the grave.”
Although it sounds like it might be a ghost story, that would be far too simple for a monster maker like Steven Boyle.
Boyle’s reputation for creating gruesome effects gives us hope that The Demon Disorder will be a visceral, blood-curdling experience.
The film’s tagline, “There is no cure”, implies that the story could deliver something delightfully gory, and the official poster for The Demon Disorder also gives us a peek at the sort of makeup effects we can expect to see in the upcoming horror movie.
Featuring a decrepit creature superimposed above what appears to be a farmhouse, the poster sets the tone for some terrifying rural ambience.
The film is co-written by Steve Boyle and Toby Osbourne, and the following cast members have been confirmed:
- George Reilly (John Noble)
- Graham Reilly (Christian Willis)
- Jake Reilly (Dirk Hunter)
- Phillip Reilly (Charles Cottier)
- Cole Nichols (Tobie Webster)
- Officer Terry (Michael Tuahine)
- Young Graham (Liam Wallace)
Some members of the cast have been in other popular horror projects such as The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), Undead (2003), and Sleepy Hollow (2013).
Umbrella Entertainment announced that The Demon Disorder would have its world premiere at Gold Coast Film Festival on April 22, 2024.
To announce the date, the company shared our first look at the body horror movie. Watch the teaser below!
A new elevated Australian horror movie
With the rise of artistic filmmakers such as Jordan Peele, Ari Aster, and Robert Eggers, elevated horror has consistently been among the most popular horror subgenres for the last few years.
During a 2023 interview with Inside Film, Boyle stated,
“The Demon Disorder is an elevated genre piece with real-world relationships and family dynamics,”
“It’s disturbing, it’s humorous, and I promise it will have people talking about what they’ve just witnessed long after it finishes.”
It sounds like Boyle is planning on releasing something very unique.
The chilling poster and plot, combined with Boyle’s talent for creating horrifying on-screen monsters, suggest that The Demon Disorder could be a horror movie that will push the subgenre’s boundaries.
A photo was posted on the Formation Effects Instagram in August 2023 that hinted at the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a horror film.
The post-production photo shows a bloodied figure being projected onto a large screen behind a sound mixing board.
The post was captioned,
“Sound mix week for ‘The Demon Disorder’ is looking and sounding incredible! With @theallym”
The person tagged in the post is Ally Muller, CEO and Executive Producer at Formation Pictures.
The Formation Pictures team also consists of Steve Boyle as Creative Director, and Danielle ‘DC’ Culleton as the Production Manager.
This will be the first feature produced by Formation Pictures, Boyle’s new filmmaking venture, which is in addition to his movie effects business, Formation Effects.
David Cronenberg body horror inspiration
Boyle also talked about the visual effects for his upcoming horror movie during his interview with Inside Film,
“[The film] combines elements of early David Cronenberg and body horror crafted through elaborate visual FX sequences.
David Cronenberg is a horror movie director who rose to fame during the 1970’s and continues acting and directing today. He is known for his spine-tingling, effects-heavy body horror movies.
Cronenberg wrote and directed iconic horror movies such as:
- Crimes of the Future (2022)
- The Fly (1986)
- Videodrome (1983)
- Rabid (1977)
If David Cronenberg is serving as inspiration for the effects in The Demon Disorder, then we are in for some truly grotesque body horror.
With both production and effects now under one roof, Boyle is poised to deliver a film that seamlessly blends narrative and visual horror.
Related:
5 Best 2000’s Australian Horror Movies
Who is FX artist turned director Steve Boyle?
With a strong resume of classic horror projects, Steve Boyle has done visual, special, and makeup effects across a range of subgenres.
Some of my personal favourites include the nu-metal Dark Castle Entertainment film Ghost Ship (2003), the New Zealand horror-comedy Black Sheep (2006), and the outback zombie film Undead (2003).
Some of his other contributions to the horror genre include:
- What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
- Daybreakers (2009)
- Winchester (2018)
In addition to working on these great projects from Australia and New Zealand, Boyle also has several companies: Formation Pictures and Formation Effects.
The two entities work together to create a complex filmmaking machine.
Formation Pictures is an Australian film production company that specialises in all stages of filmmaking.
Formation Effects, the other company, is a multi-award-winning effects house in Brisbane, Australia.
As per their website, they are experts in all disciplines of special effects creation, including concept design, sculpture, makeup FX, creatures, 3D printing, and VFX.
Check out the Formation Effects showreel below – Like and subscribe to support practical effects and see more of their work!
Including some of the many projects above, Formation Effects has worked on other films such as:
- The Hobbit Trilogy (2012 – 2014)
- 30 Days of Night (2007)
- Boar (2017)
Related:
Talk 2 Me: A24 Announces Sequel to Australian Horror Movie
Special effects artists who became horror movie directors
Steven Boyle isn’t the first effects artist to take on the role of writer or director.
Many of your favourite horror movies (and blockbusters) have had iconic special effects artists work on or direct them. Movie effects artists are versatile team members on any production crew, with a high attention to detail and a broad range of creative skills.
Some notable FX artists who have moved from the makeup trailer to the director’s chair include many famous names, such as:
- Tom Savini
- Stan Winston
- Robert Kurtzman
- Phil Tippett
You might recognise Tom Savini for his many decades of working in the horror genre, often starring in the films and franchises he worked on.
Savini did the effects and starred in classic films such as Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Creepshow (1982) before transitioning to directing with Night of the Living Dead (the 1990 remake of the 1968 classic).
Similarly, Stan Winston, known for his work on films like Jurassic Park and Terminator, made the leap to directing with the horror film Pumpkinhead (1988).
Robert Kurtzman, who worked on Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House (2018) and Tusk (2014), directed films like Wishmaster (1997) and The Rage (2007).
🔪 Horror Trivia
Kurtzman also worked on Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989). Horror scream queen Danielle Harris also worked on this movie!
Phil Tippett is a legend in the field of visual effects. Tippett worked on Piranha (1978) and The Haunting (1999) before going on to direct the stop-motion horror film Mad God (2021) and the sci-fi horror sequel Starship Troopers 2 (2004).
These artists demonstrate that the skills and creativity required to be successful in special effects can translate into fruitful directing careers.
With The Demon Disorder, Boyle is set to join their ranks, bringing his unique vision and expertise to the director’s chair.
Watch the trailer for Phil Tippett’s stopmotion animation horror nightmare Mad God below!
We can’t wait to see this new Australian horror movie.
Known for being a country full of things that can kill you, it is always nice to have a new Aussie terror added to the list of deadly possibilities when Down Under.
With the addition of Formation Pictures, Formation Effects has grown into a filmmaking powerhouse. Filmmakers and creators like Steve Boyle are keeping the craft involved in practical effects alive.
Are you excited to see The Demon Disorder? Tell us your favourite Australian horror movie in the comments below!
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