Five FrightFest Facts with Annabella Rich and Chris Mills from ‘The Death of Us’

Few experiences are more terrifying than losing someone you love, and that’s the emotional wound at the heart of The Death of Us. Blending psychological horror, supernatural terror and deeply human grief, the film follows a couple attempting to rebuild their lives after an unimaginable tragedy, only to discover that some nightmares refuse to stay buried. Equal parts emotional drama and horror thriller, it explores how loss can haunt us long before anything supernatural enters the frame.

Making its debut at Tubi FrightFest, The Death of Us also marks the feature directorial debut of Annabella Rich, a filmmaker whose experience both in front of and behind the camera has helped shape a story rooted in character as much as scares. Produced through a combination of crowdfunding and private investment, the film showcases the determination of an independent team passionate about practical effects, genre storytelling and creating horror that resonates on an emotional level.

Starring Rich alongside co-writer and producer Chris Mills, and featuring genre favourites including Hellraiser legend Nicholas Vince and Five Nights at Freddy’s star Marta Svetek, The Death of Us promises a chilling exploration of love, survival and the devastating power of grief. Ahead of the film’s FrightFest screening, we caught up with Rich and Mills for our latest Five FrightFest Facts.

Annabella Rich, writer-director-star, and Chris Mills, co-writer of The Death of Us

Tell us about your film

Chris: Our film, The Death of Us, is a horror/thriller centred around Casey and Danny, a young couple who go through a violent, tragic loss of their child and, as a result, are overcome by grief. They move to the countryside to get away from the press and distance themselves, but their nightmare has only just begun.

A supernatural entity haunts their lives, threatening to tear them apart. As it all becomes clear that the loss of their child was no accident, Casey and Danny must fight for their lives and for each other. The Death of Us explores how grief affects people in different ways and provides a supernaturally infused thrill ride, combined with practical effects and a supporting cast of exceptional talent.

Bella: A horror thriller focusing on high emotions and practical effects. Following the devastating loss of their child, Danny and Casey retreat to the countryside… only to find out that whatever started this all isn’t done with them yet.

How did you get into making movies?

Chris: I started out acting in short films and low-budget independent feature films after discovering a love for what goes on behind the camera too. I also started co-writing and co-producing, and this is where I met Annabella Rich.

The rest is history, as Bella and I were cast opposite each other in multiple roles and then eventually decided to start our own film company.

Bella: I’ve worked a long time as an actress in the independent scene and had since moved into co-writing and co-producing. Whilst working on others’ projects, I realised I really wanted that creative control, so we got to work and started Six Foot Under Productions!

Which led to our debut film, The Death Of Us; and we already have four more in the works that I can’t wait to get my teeth into.

What films would you love to see screened at FrightFest and why?

Chris: I’d love to see some absolute classics: The Thing, Aliens (we’ve got Alien this year, which I can’t wait to go watch!) and some of my modern favourites: Barbarian and Midsommar.

Bella: Dead Reset and Colony. Thankfully they are being screened, so it’s a win-win. Anything gritty, bloody and creature-based I love! Also, Dead Reset is an independent, which is fantastic, and Colony has zombies!

If you could create your own award to give at FrightFest, what would it be and why?

Chris: If I could create an award to give at FrightFest, it’d be the Fan Favourite Award, an award voted for by the amazing members of the horror community that attend this amazing festival every year.

Bella: Best Practical Effects! With the rise of AI, I want to see fantastic humans making awesome practical effects, whether that’s a death scene or a creature!

If your life was made into a horror film, what would it be called and who would play the starring role?

Chris: This is such a great question! I think if my life were to be made into a horror film, it’d be called Knocking on Death’s Door, and the lead to play it would be Pedro Pascal. He’s a fantastic actor with so much depth; he’d nail the emotional highs and lows!

Bella: I’d call it something silly like Can I Pet That Dog? and have Mia Goth play me, because we both love a crazy laugh-cry. It would be a comedy horror about an alien dog who needs to eat humans to survive.