Terror on the water in the new River trailer
Down to the river…and into the river we dive
A new wave of dread is heading for the big screen, promising a chilling journey where the water hides more than just reflections. Universal has just dropped a new trailer for River, and the tension is palpable. This is not just another survival flick; it’s a brutal slasher built around a deeply unsettling family reunion, set against the unforgiving backdrop of a remote waterway.
The film is set to hit theaters on January 15, 2027, marking the much-anticipated Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. At the helm is director Joshua Giuliano, making his feature debut, and the project boasts an enviable cast, featuring established faces like Jane Levy (known for Evil Dead), Jessica Rothe (starring in Happy Death Day), Max Mattern (from Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy), and Dane DiLiegro (of Prey fame).
The narrative pulls the audience into the perilous situation of River, following three estranged siblings who must finally reunite after the death of their father. Their quest to scatter his ashes at his favorite spot on a remote river quickly spirals into outright terror when their boat breaks down, stranding them on the water and forcing them to confront the masked killers stalking them from the shore.
This is a story about family fractured by grief, but quickly redefined by primal fear. Giuliano manages to blend intense emotional drama with visceral horror, creating a scenario where the natural beauty of the river transforms into a trap.
Critics are already buzzing about the film’s raw intensity. Chris Bumbray, writing for JoBlo, offered a solid take, awarding River a 7/10. Bumbray specifically praised Giuliano’s direction, the powerful performances delivered by the cast, and the film’s expertly handled gore, cementing its status as a brutal and well-made survival slasher.
Joshua Giuliano’s trajectory is already notable. He developed River while working within the framework of Shudder, collaborating with Sam Zimmerman, the genre executive overseeing Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s indie filmmaking initiatives. This existing relationship with the Blumhouse ecosystem has set the stage for more horror to come. Indeed, Giuliano is already attached to other high-profile projects from the Atomic Monster family, including Occupant, Divide/Conquer, and Spooky Pictures.
Universal has positioned River perfectly for a massive holiday slate, opening alongside other anticipated releases such as Children of Blood and Bone, The Beekeeper 2, and Fing!. Get ready to dive into a story where the water is not just a boundary, but a deadly, unforgiving character.
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