UK Premiere of ‘The Red Hourglass’ Leads a Stacked Horror Lineup at Romford Festival

Romford Horror Film Festival is set to welcome one of the most talked-about indie horror films of the year, The Red Hourglass, which will have its UK premiere on Sunday, March 2. Directed by B.C. Jones and featuring a haunting central performance from Caroline Quigley (Beezel), the film blends supernatural horror with sharp socio-political allegory.

The story follows Rebecca, a woman who, after a bizarre encounter with a black widow spider, discovers she is inexplicably pregnant. As she navigates the unsettling reality of her condition, a mysterious child is born—one that seems to hold an unnatural connection to the dark forces amassing outside her home. A shadowy cult gathers, drawn to the newborn by a supernatural force Rebecca cannot fully understand. Inspired by classics like Rosemary’s Baby, Carrie, and Prince of Darkness, The Red Hourglass delivers a mix of creeping paranoia, body horror, and psychological terror.

However, beneath its genre trappings, the film serves as a potent metaphor for the rise of authoritarianism and the dangers of cult-like devotion. Writer-director B.C. Jones has spoken about the personal inspirations behind the project, citing the anxieties of becoming a parent during the pandemic and witnessing the global rise of extremist ideologies. “Navigating the fears of bringing a child into a world filled with uncertainty, alongside seeing the insidious influence of dangerous leaders, became the backbone of this film,” Jones stated. “Horror has always been a way to process real-world fears, and The Red Hourglass taps into some of the most pressing concerns of our time.”

The film is produced by Jones, Amanda Sweikow, Danny Herb, and Nicolas Plotquin, with a cast that includes Marcia Broadway, Todd Warren Howard, and David Andrew Lloyd as members of the ominous cult. The trailer, which teases an unsettling mix of occult horror and psychological dread, has already received attention from genre fans eager for a fresh, thought-provoking take on supernatural horror.

Romford Horror Film Festival 2025 Expands with Over 240 Films

Now in its most ambitious year yet, Romford Horror Film Festival—dubbed HorRHIFFic—will run from February 27 to March 2, screening over 240 feature films and short films across seven screens. This includes 19 world premieres and 27 UK premieres, highlighting the event as a key platform for indie horror filmmakers. The festival not only showcases brand-new projects but also celebrates horror history, with screenings of cult classics like Zombie Flesh Eaters, The House by the Cemetery, and Angst.

Special themed screenings will highlight low-budget horror, student films, and super-short shockers. Meanwhile, Horror Roulette—the festival’s wildly unpredictable showcase—returns, offering a mystery selection of trailers, previews, and short films from filmmakers currently in production. For attendees looking to network, The Projectionist Bar will serve as the festival’s social hub, offering horror-themed cocktails inspired by the films screening across the weekend.

Adding to the excitement, March 1 will see a selection of high-profile guests from some of the most notorious horror films of all time. While the lineup has yet to be fully revealed, fans can expect exclusive interviews, autograph signings, and Q&A sessions.

For horror fans looking to experience cutting-edge indie filmmaking alongside genre legends, Romford Horror Film Festival 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable event. Tickets and further details can be found on the festival’s official website: romfordhorrorfestival.com/

The Red Hourglass trailer