‘Sundowning’: Spooky Pictures Has an Irrational Fear of Older People

Indie genre label Spooky Pictures and global studio Image Nation have begun principal photography on Sundowning, a new horror thriller written and directed by Ian McDonald (Woman of the Hour), Dread Central learned this morning.

In the film, “After neglecting her dying parents, a young musician with gerontophobia accepts a position at a secluded end-of-life facility in search of redemption. However, what begins as an act of penance soon unsettles her as she discovers the idyllic sanctuary hides a terrifying secret.”

Interestingly, gerontophobia is the irrational, intense fear or hatred of aging and older people, often linked to ageism, fear of death, and dread of physical decline.

Even more revealing is the film’s title, Sundowning, which is a phenomenon in dementia patients characterized by increased confusion, anxiety, aggression, or agitation, usually occurring in the late afternoon or early evening.

Shit’s about to get crazy.

Shooting began earlier this month in Vancouver, with the cast led by Elizabeth Dulau (Andor), Susanne Wuest (Goodnight Mommy, Orphan 3), Rukiya Bernard (Yellowjackets), and Robbie G.K. (Heated Rivalry).

Sundowning is produced by Steven Schneider (The Long Walk, Strange Darling, Late Night with the Devil), Roy Lee (Weapons, Barbarian, It), and Simmy Wolf (Thunderbolts), for Spooky Pictures. Producing for Hadron Films (, , ) are Chris Wilkinson and Ryan Marchant, with Ellie Cameron-Smith serving as line producer. Rami Yasin () and Ben Ross (, ) serve as executive producers.