‘Screamboat’ Brings Killer Rodent Mayhem to Cinemas

David Howard Thornton, best known for his role as the sadistic Art the Clown in Terrifier and its brutal sequels, is set to terrorise audiences once again—this time as a rampaging rodent in Screamboat, a horror-comedy that transforms a harmless ferry ride into a nightmarish bloodbath. The film is set to hit Vue cinemas on 2nd April before arriving on digital platforms on 28th April and DVD in May, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.

Directed by Steven LaMorte (The Mean One), Screamboat takes the playful charm of classic animated mascots and distorts it into something far more menacing. The film follows a group of late-night commuters in New York who find themselves trapped on a ferry with an unexpected predator—a seemingly mischievous mouse that quickly reveals its far deadlier intentions. As the body count rises, the passengers must band together to survive against the pint-sized terror before their journey across the water becomes their final destination.

Thornton, whose portrayal of Art the Clown has solidified him as a modern horror icon, swaps silent slasher mayhem for creature-feature carnage. With Screamboat, he trades greasepaint for fur, embodying a creature that blends the grotesque with the absurd in a way only he can deliver. Alongside him is Terrifier 2’s Kailey Hyman, Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey, Jesse Posey (Selena: The Series), horror veteran Jarlath Conroy (Day of the Dead), Jesse Kove (D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach), and comedian Brian Quinn (Impractical Jokers).

The film’s practical creature effects come courtesy of Quantum Creation FX, the team behind The Last Voyage of the Demeter, while additional design elements are inspired by Christian Cordelia’s work on Avatar: The Way of Water. Given the talent involved, Screamboat promises a unique blend of horror and dark humour, paying homage to vintage animation while unleashing something truly monstrous.

With a limited theatrical release before its home entertainment rollout, Screamboat looks set to be a cult hit, merging the absurdity of an unlikely villain with a full-throttle horror experience. Whether you’re a fan of classic creature features, over-the-top slasher antics, or simply want to see Thornton bring another nightmare to life, this is one voyage horror fans won’t want to miss.

Screamboat will be in cinemas only at Vue, from 2nd April.