The highly anticipated horror comedy Spider Island, directed by the renowned genre filmmaker Christopher Smith, has officially commenced filming in the picturesque location of Mauritius. This exciting project promises to blend humor with thrills, appealing to fans of both comedy and horror genres alike.
With a career spanning over two decades, Christopher Smith has garnered a loyal following in the horror film community. He is celebrated for his directorial work on a string of cult classics, including Creep (2004), Severance, Triangle, Black Death, Detour, The Banishing, and Consecration. In October 2023, news broke that he had signed on to helm his latest project, the arachnid-themed horror comedy Spider Island, for Vertigo Films. Recent reports from Deadline confirm that filming has now officially begun in the stunning landscapes of Mauritius.
The screenplay for Spider Island is penned by Christopher Jolley (The Price We Pay) and David Quantick (Veep). The plot will center on a group of social media influencers who travel to a luxurious new hotel opening on a tropical island, only to encounter a terrifying infestation of deadly spiders. The impressive cast features rising stars such as Rose Williams (The Power), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), TikTok sensation Avani Gregg, Owen Warner (Hollyoaks), Andy Nyman (Wicked), author and YouTube personality Léna Mahfouf (known as Léna Situations), Carlotta Banat (Fifteen-Love), and Anuschka Van Lent (When the Ringlights Dim).
This exciting film is being produced by Allan Niblo and James Richardson of Vertigo Films, alongside Mike Knowles from Now Films. The talented Jane Moore serves as the executive producer for Vertigo Films. Additionally, it is being produced in collaboration with Fiction Films, with Ben Jacques as the producer for Fiction. Protagonist Pictures is responsible for the international sales of the film. A press release regarding the project emphasized that it will possess a unique British flavor, pushing the boundaries of black comedy while playfully subverting common stereotypes.
Richardson expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Spider Island is primarily a fantastic comedy horror film intended for audiences globally. It also presents a unique chance for a talented ensemble of actors and filmmakers, along with a diverse group of social media creators, to collaborate and merge their creative worlds, which have traditionally been quite distant from each other. Our goal is to build a bridge between these two realms, and of course, there will be spiders involved!”
Smith shared his excitement as well, saying, “Spider Island represents the project I have been seeking that perfectly balances genuine scares with laughter. This film features an exceptional mix of real-life creators and actors, alongside a fantastic script, making it a contemporary comedy-horror experience that resonates with today’s audiences.”
What are your thoughts on Spider Island? Are you a fan of Christopher Smith, and do you look forward to witnessing how this intriguing movie unfolds? We invite you to share your opinions by leaving a comment below.
