Below Zero (2011 film)

Plot

A screenwriter suffering from writer's block locks himself in a meat locker. There, he hopes to come up with the perfect story for a horror film about a man trapped in a meat locker. He imagines a story in which a man is menaced by an evil butcher. However, reality and fiction begin to merge, and his imaginary butcher turns into a real threat.

Cast

Production

Writer Signe Olynyk developed writer's block whilst writing the film. In order to overcome it, she locked herself in a meat locker for five days to develop the story.

In February 2010, it was revealed that director Justin Thomas Ostensen would start filming in March 2010 in Canada. Then in March, The Hills Have Eyes actor Michael Berryman was announced to appear in the film as Gunnar. Edward Furlong was also announced in April 2012. In the same month Kristin Booth, Michael Eisner, Sadie Madu and Dee Hannah were also added.

Filming took place in Alberta, Canada.

The film was originally titled Below Zero 3D but in January 2012, it was revealed the 3D had been dropped from the film.

Release

The world premiere was at the Calgary International Film Festival, 18 September 2011.

The film had 31 official selections at film festivals, including:

It was released on home video 28 August 2012.

Reception

Mike Saulters from Slackerwood.com gave a mixed review of the film, saying, "the story becomes a muddled mess that doesn't have a clear destination" and calls Kristin Booth's character "annoying as hell". However, Saulters praises the acting of Edward Furlong and Michael Berryman noting they are the "highlight of the movie". Martin Unsworth of Starburst rated the film with 8 out of 10 stars and wrote that he expected it to be a routine slasher film, but it turned out to be "fresh and surprising".

Won

Nominated