Horror Favourites – Ben Bigelow

Ben Bigelow, the visionary writer and director behind the upcoming horror film Thine Ears Shall Bleed, is a rising star in the horror genre. With his new film set in the lawless expanse of the Wild West, Ben is redefining the boundaries of horror by blending historical settings with intense psychological terror. In anticipation of his latest release, we had the opportunity to delve into his personal horror influences, discovering the film that has left a lasting impact on him.

Thine Ears Shall Bleed is an ambitious and terrifying project set to captivate horror enthusiasts and Western aficionados alike. The film transports viewers to a time where survival was a daily struggle and the lines between good and evil were often blurred. As outlaws and settlers navigate the treacherous landscape, they encounter a horror far beyond their comprehension. The movie promises a unique blend of suspense, gore, and supernatural elements, all wrapped in the harsh realities of the Wild West.

Ben’s background in horror is as eclectic as it is profound. His passion for the genre is evident in his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create an atmosphere that is both haunting and immersive. When asked about his favourite horror film, Ben didn’t hesitate to highlight a cult classic that has significantly influenced his approach to filmmaking.

Ben Bigelow’s Favourite Horror Film: Possession (1981)

Ben: “I’m gonna go with Andrzej ?u?awski’s 1981 film Possession starring Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani. It’s a truly insane and extreme film which dramatises the dissolution of a marriage through increasingly bizarre body horror, sci-fi, and psychological horror elements.

I was lucky enough to see it for the first time on 35mm with an audience that was as stunned as I was. It’s one of those movies that floors it out the gate then never takes its foot off the gas. This wild ride includes: doppelgängers, spousal abuse, shocking gore, tentacles, dismembered bodies… all shot with terrific style in pre-unified West Berlin.

And despite Possession’s unbelievable strangeness, I find the film to be a poignant portrait of just how insane human beings can be made by breakups and marital stress. This analogy of horror to real-life trauma is a precursor to films made recently like Hereditary, Men, and Mother! Way ahead of its time!”

As Ben prepares for the release of Thine Ears Shall Bleed, his admiration for Possession sheds light on the depth and complexity we can expect from his work. And in his latest film, Ben aims to create a film that not only terrifies but also resonates on an emotional level.

Thine Ears Shall Bleed is available now on digital platforms