Grady Hendrix: Last News

What to watch: 7 movies & shows to stream this week - September 16What To Watch: 7 movies & shows that feature Queen ElizabethAfter much anticipation, discussion, and controversy, Ana de Armas’ “Blonde” is finally on Netflix. The film is an alternate take on Marilyn Monroe’s life, based on the famous Joyce Carol Oates novel. While critics are torn on the film – some calling out its misogyny and others its technical prowess – the role is de Armas’s riskiest, and will likely lead to some award recognition.

William Earl Many of Grady Hendrix‘s books remix classic horror ideas in order to develop fresh new lore, from vampires (“The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires”), haunted houses (“How to Sell a Haunted House”) and possessions (“My Best Friend’s Exorcism”). Yet his newest novel, the ambitious “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls,” out now via Berkley, is about witches, yes, but is inspired by dark stories from his family’s past. In the novel, four teenage girls are sent to Wellwood House, a home for unwed mothers, in 1970, with the mandate to give birth, send the children away for adoption and pretend like nothing actually happened.

EXCLUSIVE: Adam Goldworm‘s Aperture Entertainment has signed Kyle McConaghy and Joe DeBoer, a Missouri filmmaking duo whose acclaimed horror thriller Dead Mail will soon have its Canadian premiere in the Midnight Madness section of the Toronto Film Festival.

EXCLUSIVE: Sony has preemptively closed a deal for film rights to Grady Hendrix‘s short story “Ankle Snatcher,” tapping Hendrix to adapt it for the screen, sources tell Deadline. Hendrix is also set to produce alongside Escape Artists‘ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Tony Shaw, as well as Aperture Entertainment‘s Adam Goldworm.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Legendary Entertainment has won the movie rights to Grady Hendrix’s runaway bestseller “How to Sell a Haunted House.” The studio behind “Dune” took the acclaimed novel over several bids. The book received critical acclaim and an instant following thanks to its dynamic storytelling — pulling off genuine fright with its evil puppet antagonist, and a deeply emotional story about the horrors of family. New Zealand-based Māori filmmaker James Ashcroft is attached to direct the project. Ashcroft made his mark in the indie genre space with the bleak “Coming Home in the Dark,” which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and was later acquired by Netflix. Hendrix will adapt his own novel for the screen.

Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards, Features Editor Though many of them weren’t even alive in the 1980s, the cast of “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” said it was a dream come true to recreate the era for their new film. Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, the horror-comedy held its world premiere Thursday night at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica as part of the 2022 Beyond Fest Film Festival. The afterparty was held at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, where guests could play carnival games and feast on funnel cakes and nachos. Based on Grady Hendrix’s novel with a screenplay by Jenna Lamia, “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” is directed by Damon Thomas and centers on best friends Abby (Elsie Fisher) and Gretchen (Amiah Miller), who are struggling with high school when another challenge is thrown their way — Gretchen begins exhibiting signs of demonic possession. In desperation she turns to Christian Lemon (Christopher Lowell), a wannabe evangelist who tours the mall and local schools preaching the word of God and physical fitness.

Courtney Howard We may joke that teen girls are possessed, but the creators behind “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” take that concept to heart. Based on the book by Grady Hendrix, director Damon Thomas’ adaptation is centered on a pair of inseparable best friends dealing with a shattering blow when one of them is overtaken by a satanic spirit. Though this ’80s-set horror-comedy takes an old-school approach to capturing the horrific happenings, the stunts are lackluster and the comedic hijinks are a tiresome bore. With very little interest conjured from the filmmakers to properly develop their characters, there’s little incentive to stay interested. Abby’s (Elsie Fisher) greatest fear in life is losing her best friend Gretchen (Amiah Miller). Little does she know their relationship will be put to the test, and not solely because Gretchen’s scheduled to move over the summer. The pair are in a world of their own, a late-’80s dreamland filled with Aqua Net fumes, bombastic fashions and pop star crushes. But they occasionally make room for their classmates, including painfully shy Glee (Cathy Ang), brash bigot Margaret (Rachel Ogechi Kanu) and her obnoxious jock boyfriend Wally (Clayton Royal Johnson).

EXCLUSIVE: In a competitive situation, Kinetic Content has landed the rights to Grady Hendrix’s forthcoming sci-fi comedic novella BadAsstronauts to develop as a half-hour television series, with Aperture Entertainment.