Film Factory Entertainment has announced its worldwide acquisition of the upcoming horror feature “Evil Dress” (“El Vestido”), co-directed by Jacob Santana (“Reversion”) and Frank Ariza (“El Continental”).
The psychological horror feature stars Spanish Academy Goya-winning actress Belén Rueda (“The Orphanage,” “The Sea Inside”) in a central role that explores maternal fear, generational trauma and supernatural mystery.
“Evil Dress” follows Alicia (Rueda), a mother struggling in the aftermath of a painful divorce. Seeking a new beginning, she moves into a remote house with her daughter Carla. But the seemingly quiet setting soon reveals a sinister history. As Carla connects with the ghost of a young girl through a mysterious blue dress, the house’s dark legacy begins to manifest, leading to terrifying consequences, including a violent incident that leaves a child in a coma.
As the investigation unfolds, Alicia finds herself trapped in a nightmare from which there may be no escape. Alongside Rueda, the film features rising star Vera Centenera (“Tabacco Barns”) and iconic Basque actor Elena Irureta, who plays a neighbor harboring unsettling secrets.
“’Evil Dress’ is a story about what we inherit—traumas, secrets, fears—and the difficulty of protecting our children when the true danger lies not outside, but within,” explain directors Santana and Ariza. “It’s a sensory and emotional journey—a deeply intimate mother-daughter story shaped by terror.”
The film draws inspiration from modern horror milestones like “The Others,” “It Follows,” “Longlegs,” and “Hereditary,” and is visually shaped by cinematographer Christos Voudouris (“Before Midnight,” “Alps”), who brings an expressionist style to intensify its eerie atmosphere.
Film Factory’s director Vicente Canales expressed strong confidence in the project, stating, “We’re thrilled to join Frank and Jacob new film. We believe ‘Evil Dress’ has strong international potential and it will impress audiences around the world.”
Production is already in progress, with the first promotional footage slated to premiere at the upcoming Marché du Film.
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