This horror-western mashup from Aaron Koontz (Camera Obscura, Scare Package) starts with a good, old-fashioned train robbery before quickly turning south. Upon discovering a crate contains a girl named “Pearl,” rather than actual pearls or gold or whatever they were hoping to find, she convinces the Dalton gang to take her home with promises of a reward. But “home” turns out to be a brothel run by a witch coven, leading to an explosive standoff the likes of which we haven’t seen since Cowboys & Aliens broke our hearts.

a stunning cinematic experience

Koontz’s second feature (third as a producer) stars Devin Druid (13 Reasons Why), Zachary Knighton (Santa Clarita Diet), and Pat Healy (Carnage Park). He expressed a desire to transcend the simplistic “good vs. evil” tropes by pitting flawed characters against each other. Koontz calls it, “a story with modern-day relevance, with so many timely examples of stubborn men underestimating the power and fortitude of women, and more specifically the deeply important theme of hate begets hate.”

Visually, The Pale Door looks like a stunning cinematic experience. Gorgeous cinematography, believable sets, and rich costumes all sell this period piece thriller. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think! In the meantime, stay tuned for a full review and get ready to check it out in select theaters and VOD.

The Pale Door will be released on August 21, 2020.

Plot Synopsis
The Dalton gang finds shelter in a seemingly uninhabited ghost town after a train robbery goes south. Seeking help for their wounded leader, they are surprised to stumble upon a welcoming brothel in the town’s square. But the beautiful women who greet them are actually a coven of witches with very sinister plans for the unsuspecting outlaws – and the battle between good and evil is just beginning.