Independent Film Company and Shudder have announced a partnership to release RIVER, a new survival slasher from first-time feature filmmaker Joshua Giuliano. The Shudder Original Production stars Jane Levy (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead), Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day), Dane DiLiegro (Prey), and Max Mattern (Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy). Currently in post-production, RIVER will receive a theatrical release through Independent Film Company, with international sales introduced to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market by Upgrade.

In RIVER, three estranged siblings reunite after their father’s death to scatter his ashes along a remote river. When their boat breaks down deep in the wilderness, the trip turns into a struggle for survival as they realize they are being stalked by a faceless killer from the surrounding woods. Forced to confront both their past and an inhuman threat, they must work together to endure the night.

Giuliano, whose award-winning short films have screened at genre festivals including Fantasia, Fantastic Fest, and FrightFest, described the project as six years in the making. “Working with Shudder has been a thrilling collaboration,” said Giuliano. “Knowing RIVER will have a theatrical release is a dream come true. I look forward to sharing our terrifying creation with audiences.”

Nicholas Lazo, Vice President of Development and Production at Shudder, praised Giuliano’s debut, calling him “a striking new voice in horror.” The film is produced by Steven Schneider (Insidious, Paranormal Activity), Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund (Brand New Cherry Flavor, Chucky), with executive producers Jeffrey and Robert Tinnell (The Hunted, Feast of the Seven Fishes) and Upgrade’s Matt Brodlie and Jonathan Kier.

RIVER marks another collaboration between Shudder and Independent Film Company in their ongoing mission to champion innovative, filmmaker-driven horror for theatrical audiences.