Matthew Coburn is an attractive young man who would like nothing more than to stay young and attractive forever. On the eve of his 30th birthday, Matthew invites David, a young man Matthew meets in a chatroom, over to his home. In the middle of the night, Matthew awakens alone in his bed. Soon Matthew begins to realize that he may not be alone in his house. Is it David? Or someone else... lurking in the shadows? Now Matthew must try to escape the "Shadows" that are closing in on him. But are these ghosts real or imagined? |
NIGHTSHADOWS is a film that crosses genres. It has not been done (successfully). What few "gay-themed" horror films that exist are either campy (i.e. La Cage Aux Zombies) or just mildly homoerotic (i.e. the films of David DeCoteau). And none of them have actually been scary. It was the goal of the cast and the crew to make a genuinely scary horror film with openly gay characters. Hopefully we have succeeded. In addition to the thills and the chills, NIGHTSHADOWS also expresses social commentary. Aside from the obvious (that anonymous sex with strangers can be dangerous), another question is raised. In a culture that rewards the young and the beautiful, how far will someone go in order to attain youth and beauty? In NIGHTSHADOWS, that quest is taken to the extreme. One last question... Has your past ever come back to haunt you? |
Scene from the script for NIGHT SHADOWS INT. LIVING ROOM Matthew starts towards the darkened hallway. In the foreground, a figure passes. Matthew spins around. Nothing behind him. The house CREAKS. It’s old. The wind continues to HOWL outside. MATTHEW’S POV The living room is empty. Nothing. BACK TO SCENE MATTHEW Matthew heads back into the bathroom. INT. BATHROOM Matthew opens the medicine cabinet. The mirror swings out, bouncing a reflection of the hall. Matthew removes a bottle of prescription medication. He closes the cabinet. Not completely. As he takes two pills, the medicine cabinet door slowly starts to swing open. The bathroom door, leading to the darkened hall, becomes visible. Matthew’s eyes catch the reflection in the mirror. Someone’s there. Standing just inside the shadows. Matthew’s eyes widen. Maybe it’s just a figment of his imagination. No, it’s not. The figure moves, slightly. Slowly, Matthew begins to turn his head towards the door. MATTHEW’S POV The hall is empty. No figure. BACK TO SCENE Cautiously, Matthew approaches the door. He takes a moment before leaning out into the hall. He looks down the hall towards his bedroom. Nothing. Turning, Matthew looks out into the living room. He’s alone. Or is he? MATTHEW INT. LIVING ROOM Matthew heads for the front door, his clothes in his arms. His hand reaches out for the doorknob. The doorknob turns. Matthew stops dead in his tracks. Someone is trying to get inside. The doorknob JIGGLES. Matthew stands, rooted to the spot. His eyes are fixed on the door. The door CREAKS slightly, as if someone is applying weight or pressure on the other side. Matthew’s heart is racing. He’s defenseless. His clothes drop to the floor. He hears a dull THUMPING from the other side of the door. Someone is pressing their body up against the door. It CREAKS again. Then silence. The doorknob stops moving. Matthew holds his breath. Suddenly, the door opens. There is a loud CRACK as the chain goes taut and the door stops short. Matthew jumps. He rushes the door, his body SMASHING against it. The door SLAMS shut. Matthew turns the deadbolt. To be continued... |