New Horror Film ‘Shaman’ Unleashes Ancient Evil at Austin Premiere

The world premiere of Shaman, the new horror-thriller from director Antonio Negret, is set for October 25 at the 2024 Austin Film Festival. Starring Sara Canning, Daniel Gillies, Jett Klyne, and Humberto Morales, this chilling film explores the collision between faith, culture, and an ancient evil that tests the limits of human belief. The film, which runs for 94 minutes and is set in the remote Ecuadorian Andes, offers a deeply personal and atmospheric take on horror, with the added weight of its director’s own experiences growing up in Latin America.

At its core, Shaman tells the story of Candice, a devout Catholic missionary living with her husband Joel and teenage son Elliot, as they work to convert an Indigenous community in the shadow of the Chimborazo volcano. Their efforts are met with resistance, particularly from the local Shaman, whose deep-rooted spiritual beliefs clash with the family’s religious mission. However, when Elliot falls gravely ill, Candice suspects the Shaman’s retaliation, only to discover that her son’s affliction is the result of something far more sinister—a demonic possession by a force older than Christianity itself.

The film’s tension builds as Candice must confront the terrifying realisation that her faith may not be enough to save her son. The story pushes her to make an impossible choice: to save Elliot or risk damning him forever.

Shaman draws on Antonio Negret’s upbringing in Latin America, where he witnessed the work of missionaries first-hand. As the director explains, “I grew up with environmental parents, and got to know a lot of missionaries along the way. Many of them were good-hearted and kind, but it was hard to reconcile that with the cultural disruption they were causing in Indigenous communities.” This personal connection to the material led Antonio to jump at the chance to direct his brother Daniel’s script, which was co-produced by Antonio’s wife, Luiza Ricupero.

Negret’s vision for Shaman is to turn the “white saviour” trope on its head. Rather than a simplistic tale of salvation, the film presents a more nuanced and unsettling exploration of the consequences of imposing foreign beliefs on ancient cultures. Candice, the protagonist, is forced to reckon with the fragility of her own convictions as her son becomes the battleground for forces beyond her understanding.

The film’s themes are amplified by its collaboration with the Indigenous communities of Chimborazo, many of whom were involved both in front of and behind the camera. “It was incredibly important for us to portray this world authentically, and that meant working with people who were genuinely a part of it,” says Negret. This approach enriches the film’s authenticity and emotional depth, adding a layer of realism to its supernatural elements.

The visuals of Shaman are as striking as its themes. The cinematography by Daniel Andrade captures the raw beauty and isolation of the Andes, while Chris Westlake and Maria Vertiz’s score enhances the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere that permeates the film. Together, these elements create an experience that is both visually captivating and deeply unsettling.

Premiering on Friday, October 25 at 7:00pm at Austin’s Galaxy Theater, with a second screening on October 29, Shaman is poised to make a strong impression at the festival. The film is set to release wider in the months following its festival debut, and we’ll be sure to share news of its full unveiling.