Penny Lane Is Dead
Penny Lane Is Dead is a 2025 Australian dark comedy horror thriller film directed by Mia'Kate Russell.
Synopsis
Set in the hot summer of 1986, the story starts with a party at a beach house, at which Penny Lane is celebrating her university acceptance with her best friends Toni and Amy. Uninvited guests arrive, a prank goes wrong, and events descend into mayhem and violence.[1]
Cast
- Alexandra Jensen as Amy
- Steve Le Marquand as Merrick
- Ben O'Toole as Angus
- Fletcher Humphrys as Rodowsky
- Bailey Spalding as Penny Lane
- Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn as Kat
- Tahlee Fereday as Toni
- Matthew O'Sullivan as Nick
Production
Penny Lane Is Dead is the debut feature film by Mia'Kate Russell, who writes and directs the film.[1] Russell previously directed the horror short films Maggie May and Liz Drives, which won awards.[2]
It is produced by Julie Ryan, Ari Harrison, Andre Luiz Lima Sampaio (Andre Lima), and Carly Maple (who also produced another 2025 film, The Fox).[2][3] Cinematography is by Liam Gilmour, and the score was composed by Chiara Costanza. Dan Lee edited the film, and Erica Ockenden was production designer.[3]
Sanctuary Pictures (its first feature film[4]) and Buffalo Media produced, in association with Cyan Films. Major funding was provided by Screen Australia and produced in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, VicScreen, and Adelaide Film Festival.[2]
Executive producers are Joel Anderson, John Sheedy, and Jeff Harrison.[3]
Filming and production took place around Adelaide, including at Adelaide Studios, with post-production at Kojo Studios.[4][5]
Release
First footage was screened by Upgrade Productions at the Marché du Film at Cannes in May 2025.[5]
The film premieres at the 2025 Adelaide Film Festival on Saturday 18 October at the Piccadilly Cinema in North Adelaide, with a "pink carpet" event before the screening.[1]
Australian distribution will be done by Umbrella Entertainment, with Upgrade Productions responsible for international sales.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "Penny Lane Is Dead". Adelaide Film Festival. 12 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Kay, Jeremy (11 May 2025). "Upgrade to show footage in Cannes from Australian horror 'Penny Lane Is Dead'; production underway". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 20 July 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Penny Lane is Dead (2025)". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Keast, Jackie (11 May 2025). "Cameras roll on Mia'Kate Russell's 1986-set punk horror 'Penny Lane is Dead'". IF Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 July 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ a b "South Australian thriller Penny Lane is Dead set to showcase at Cannes". SAFC. 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.