Jackalope(2026) Raindance Film Festival, The Vue Cinema, Lower Regent Street, London.Until and including June 26 , 2026. World Premiere.

Bryce Hirschberg – Writer and Director. Independent horror/thriller.

Stars Catherine Corcoran, Alex Mandel, and Bryce Hirschberg.

The name Jackalope is a fictional beast – it combines a jackrabbit with the antlers of antelope or

deer, rooted in American frontier tall tales and is a good choice of name for this dark film full of

episodes to take our breath away. Jackalope indicates myth and mayhem and so the saga

unfolds.

It’s often fun to be watching a film which starts with a journey, As brothers Aidan and Connor

speed to their destination on the USA high road through quiet countryside the passenger they

pick up is an unexpected four legged friend whom they name “Handsome “ adding a touch of

cuddliness to the story though the friend is from a breed meaning “Handsome” is guard dog

status. “Handsome” is an unexpected part of their journey and introduces the first flavor of a

darkness to the plot.

The brothers and the new pet arrive at a charming house in quiet countryside owned by family for

a few days where they can unwind and nurture each other. Suddenly – and as it is dark outside,

an unexpected caller arrives at the door saying she is unexpectedly booked in the same house to

spend a few days there herself and her name is Lilly. She is a lithe youngish blonde with a

sylphlike figure and gets welcomed in eventually to be part of the household.

As one of the brothers is going through difficult times emotionally and mentally and the other

brother is trying to help him out of his moods, one can lend ones imagination to how Lilly alters

the chemistry of the drama. But no spoilers here! However prepare to be surprised about who Lilly

is and her role as the story unfolds.

Jackalope is not a very long film – enormously suitable if you don’t wish to be sitting n the cinema

for three hours, but it is a manageable collection of unusual scenes, plot twists and a little dose of

dark humour which moves the story along to a crescendo and conclusion which marks it

ultimately as a horror/thriller distinct of its kind and another low budget creative enterprise which

can hit the high notes nevertheless. ENJOY Penny Nair Price