What Persuaded John Lithgow To Join Horror Film The Rule Of Jenny Pen? He Told Me About The One Thing That’s ‘Not Ordinarily How You Hear Horror Directors Talk’

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As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the distinctive allure of the horror genre within the vast landscape of entertainment. Remarkably, some of the most chilling and memorable horror films were crafted with minimal resources, often yielding substantial returns once they struck a nerve with audiences. Over the past few years, this genre has undergone a remarkable resurgence, drawing in top-tier talent to contribute their skills and passion.

A prime example of this revival is the forthcoming horror masterpiece, “The Rule of Jenny Pen“. This film boasts an impressive cast, including legendary actors Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow. It’s intriguing to note that Lithgow himself has shared with TopMob his reasons for joining the project – his inspiration stemmed from the compelling vision of director James Ashcroft.

I enjoyed a conversation with Rush and Lithgow regarding their work on “The Rule of Jenny Pen“. Lithgow, in particular, had nothing but praise for the film’s director. When asked about the film’s intense mood, he opened up about his initial response to the script. Star of the classic NBC show “3rd Rock from the Sun” (often regarded as one of the network’s best) shared this insight:

1. We were truly enjoying ourselves. You’re correct, it was a grim and unsettling movie. The script was so frightening and disquieting that I wasn’t even sure I could pull it off. Diving into this dark realm was challenging, but working on this film was exhilarating. A significant part of this experience is due to James [Ashcroft], who shares your passion for horror. He approaches his work with a deep seriousness and finds profound meaning in what he does. It’s a movie about bullying, cruelty, and revenge – topics that are, unfortunately, very relevant today.

2. We were indeed having a great time. You hit the nail on the head, it was a bleak and troubling film. The script was so terrifying and eerie that I wasn’t convinced I could manage it. Immersing myself in this dark world was tough, but working on this project was thrilling. A large part of that excitement is thanks to James [Ashcroft], who, like you, loves horror stories. He takes his work very seriously and finds rich layers of depth and purpose in what he’s doing. It’s a film about bullying, brutality, and retribution – issues that are sadly still prevalent today.

3. We were indeed having fun. You’re spot on, it was a grim and distressing movie. The script was so frightening and ominous that I wasn’t confident I could pull it off. Getting involved in this dark storyline was difficult, but working on this film was exhilarating. A big part of the excitement comes from James [Ashcroft], who shares your interest in horror. He takes his work very seriously and finds deep layers of significance in what he’s doing. It’s a movie about bullying, cruelty, and revenge – topics that are, unfortunately, still relevant today.

4. We were indeed enjoying ourselves. You’re right on the money, it was a dark and unsettling film. The script was so scary and foreboding that I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Plunging into this dark world was challenging, but working on this movie was exciting. A significant part of the fun is due to James [Ashcroft], who loves horror as much as you do. He takes his work very seriously and finds great depth in what he’s doing. It’s a film about bullying, cruelty, and revenge – topics that are sadly still relevant today.

5. We were indeed having a good time. You’re absolutely correct, it was a grim and disquieting movie. The script was so scary and ominous that I wasn’t sure I could deliver. Getting into this dark story was tough, but working on this film was thrilling. A big part of the enjoyment is because of James [Ashcroft], who has the same passion for horror as you do. He takes his work very seriously and finds deep layers of meaning in what he’s doing. It’s a movie about bullying, cruelty, and revenge – issues that are unfortunately still present today.

The points were effectively conveyed. In this new horror movie titled, ‘The Puppet of Dave Crealy’, which is based in a nursing home, Lithgow’s character, Dave Crealy, plays the sinister antagonist, causing fear among the elderly residents through the film’s namesake puppet. The review published by TopMob under The Rule of Jenny Pen found the movie quite disturbing, but it seems like the cast enjoyed working on this production.

The movie’s backdrop is undeniably engaging; Geoffrey Rush likens the character of Jenny Pen to an Alien, expressing how the nursing home draws viewers deep into the narrative. Although it’s tough to endure the portrayal of the residents as victims, John Lithgow shares that his character, Ashcroft, strived to approach the story with genuine compassion. In his own words:

This technique I used in creating the character and the film revolves around exploring the root causes of cruelty. More often than not, it stems from past harm or damage they’ve endured themselves. In my interpretation, this is how I approached the character and the entire project. James was an exceptional guide to his vision, a truly remarkable man with deep insights, extensive knowledge, a big heart, and immense passion. What drew me in was his view of this as a story filled with compassion, which isn’t typically associated with horror directors discussing their work. That’s what ultimately convinced me.

In the movie “The Rule of Jenny Pen“, certain scenes might be challenging due to our growing attachment towards the elderly characters. This emotional bond makes us yearn for their well-being, which explains the compassionate aspect of the story. Consequently, Dave Crealy’s character, as the antagonist, becomes particularly detestable because he stands in the way of what we wish for these residents.

During our conversation, John Lithgow mentioned an interesting fact about director James Ashcroft – his family has a special connection to elderly care since his wife and her relatives operate such facilities. In other words, they are involved in the business of taking care of the elderly.

In a slightly different phrasing, his wife is a skilled operator of elderly care centers, carrying on a family tradition started by her parents who established a network of such facilities. He took special care to approach the topic with utmost respect.

Despite being challenging at times for a horror fan like me, they executed it perfectly as I expected. With its themes resonating deeply due to our shared experience of caring for elderly relatives, “The Rule of Jenny Pen” offers an emotional connection that’s hard to ignore. Moreover, the presence of two renowned actors adds significant appeal to this compelling narrative.

Audience members will have the opportunity to form their own opinions when “The Rule of Jenny Pen” hits widespread theater screenings on March 7th, which is included in the 2025 film release calendar. This is only one of numerous horror films anticipated to debut this year.

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2025-03-06 23:53