‘River’ Earns R Rating for “Strong Bloody Violence” and “Grisly Images”

Jane Levy (Evil Dead) and Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) are heading into another bloody nightmare.

Acquired by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster following its TIFF premiere, River has officially been rated R for “strong bloody violence, some grisly images, and language,” Dread Central learned today.

Written and directed by Joshua Giuliano, the slasher follows three estranged siblings who reunite to scatter their father’s ashes along a remote river. When their boat breaks down, they find themselves stranded and stalked by a faceless killer.

Max Mattern plays their younger brother, with Dane DiLiegro (Prey) behind the killer’s mask.

Dread Central’s Matt Konopka gave the film 3.5 stars in his review, comparing its brutality to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and French Extremity. While he had reservations about the tonal shifts, he praised the performances and Giuliano’s ability to build dread: “It’s a movie that begs to be watched with a crowd,” he wrote.

River opens in theaters January 15, 2027. Levy and Rothe facing off against a vicious new slasher sounds like a pretty good way to start the year.