‘Dead of Night’ Draws on Night Stalker Fear for New AMC Horror Thriller

A quiet suburban community is pushed into panic by a string of brutal killings in Dead of Night, the new mystery horror-thriller from director Derek Sulek, which will open in AMC theatres across the US and Canada on 13 November through Level 33 Entertainment.

Dermot Mulroney leads the film as Sheriff Weaver, who is drawn into the investigation after the savagely mutilated body of a teenage girl is discovered in Elmwood Heights. As more murders follow and fear begins spreading through the town, its newly elected mayor, played by Alex Camacho, attempts to restore order by creating a neighbourhood watch.

The official investigation soon collides with a more personal one when Weaver’s daughter Kelly, played by Kirrilee Berger, becomes convinced there is something stranger behind the killings. While her father struggles to identify the murderer before the community falls apart, Kelly begins digging into the killer’s motives herself, placing her increasingly close to whatever is driving the violence.

The film also stars Scott Grimes and Jake Busey, with professional wrestling star, musician and actor Chris Jericho serving as an executive producer following appearances in Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3.

Sulek directs from a screenplay co-written with Eric Durham, with the production taking place in Los Angeles through Fade to Black Films in association with ZMA Films. The filmmakers have cited the atmosphere surrounding the Night Stalker murders as one of the inspirations behind the project, making Los Angeles itself an important element of the production.

“Dead of Night was inspired in part by the fear that gripped Los Angeles during the Night Stalker era, so making the film here gave it an authenticity we couldn’t manufacture somewhere else,” the creative team said in a statement. “We’re incredibly proud of the local cast and crew who brought it to life and are excited to now bring an independent, LA-made horror film to audiences across the country.”

The film marks another directing credit for Sulek following TV thrillers Trapped in the Cabin and Chaos on the Farm, both released in 2023, as well as a string of earlier shorts. He also produces Dead of Night alongside Oren Kamara and Dan Sheldon, with Jijo Reed serving as co-producer.

Mulroney brings decades of film and television experience to the central role, while Grimes’ credits stretch from Critters and Party of Five to The Orville, Ted and Oppenheimer. Berger has previously appeared in Unsung Hero, One Dollar and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Dead of Night opens in AMC theatres across the US and Canada on 13 November 2026. Tickets are on sale now, with the teaser trailer also available to watch online.

It Ends trailer