‘Jackalope’ Heads to Raindance With Weekend Retreat Deadly Mystery

Jackalope arrives at the Raindance Film Festival this month with a deceptively simple premise: two brothers escape to the countryside for a quiet weekend away, only for an unexpected visitor to transform their retreat into a nightmare. The independent horror-thriller will receive two festival screenings in London as part of this year’s programme.

Written and directed by Bryce Hirschberg, the film follows brothers Aidan and Connor, whose attempt to reconnect after a difficult period is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious woman named Lily. What initially appears to be an unfortunate accommodation mix-up quickly develops into something far more dangerous, forcing both men to confront unsettling truths about themselves and each other.

Jackalope will screen at Vue Piccadilly on 21 June and again on 25 June as part of Raindance 2026. The festival bookings follow the film’s recent emergence on the independent genre circuit, where it has attracted attention for its contained setting and character-driven approach.

Hirschberg, who previously wrote, directed and starred in the independent feature Counterfeiters, also takes a leading role in the film. He is joined by Alex Mandel and Terrifier star Catherine Corcoran, whose casting was first announced by Deadline as the project neared completion.

Corcoran plays Lily, the enigmatic stranger at the centre of the story. Mandel, son of comedian and television personality Howie Mandel, not only stars in the film but also serves as a producer. Additional producers include Maxx Bricklin, Zack Chichelo, Jim Hirschberg and Donna Martin, with Corcoran credited as co-producer.

The project was developed by Hirschberg alongside David Klassen, who co-wrote the screenplay and served as director of photography. Klassen’s previous credits include work on Deadpool 2 and Expedition Unknown.

While plot details remain closely guarded, the official synopsis describes a deadly game of cat and mouse that forces its central characters to question both their relationships and their own identities. Early reactions from festival reviewers have highlighted the film’s shifting power dynamics and unpredictable structure, with several noting that the story continues to reveal new layers well beyond its opening setup.

For Hirschberg, Jackalope represents another step in a filmmaking career that has balanced independent production with wider public recognition following his appearance on Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle. Here, however, the focus remains firmly on suspense, isolation and the secrets that emerge when strangers are forced together under extraordinary circumstances.

Jackalope screens at the Raindance Film Festival on 21 June and 25 June 2026 at Vue Piccadilly in London. Tickets are available through the festival website.

Jackalope trailer