DEVON: A New Chapter In Found Footage Horror From Jenni “JWoww” Farley

Available on Digital: November 12, 2024

Jenni “JWoww” Farley, known widely for her work on reality television, makes her directorial debut with DEVON, a chilling horror-thriller that takes inspiration from one of the genre’s most celebrated films. Available on digital platforms starting November 12, 2024, DEVON blends documentary-style storytelling with psychological terror, calling to mind cult classic The Blair Witch Project in its setup and execution.

Film Overview

Director: Jenni “JWoww” Farley
Writer: Jenni “JWoww” Farley
Starring: Tara Rule, Hank Santos, Rotisha Geter, Lauren Carlin, Steven Etienne
Runtime: 72 minutes
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Distributor: Cineverse
Rating: Not Rated

Synopsis

Years after her mysterious disappearance from a notorious asylum, Devon’s story continues to haunt her parents, who have never stopped searching for answers. A cryptic website now beckons five adventurers to the abandoned asylum where she was last seen. Armed with cameras and a spirit of curiosity, they delve into the darkness, unwittingly documenting their own spiral into terror—a journey they may never return from.

Director’s Statement

For Farley, DEVON is more than just a horror film; it’s a passion project years in the making. “Growing up engrossed in the horror genre, it became a dream of mine to not only write a script but to direct and produce a film as well,” she explains. Inspired by the groundbreaking approach of The Blair Witch Project, Farley sought to recreate that sense of raw tension and psychological unease.

“DEVON pays homage to the cult classic and one of my all-time favorite films, The Blair Witch Project. Drawing inspiration from this iconic piece of work, I spent quite some time conceiving Devon’s story in a way that embraces the film’s groundbreaking approach and immersive storytelling,” Farley notes.

The Allure of the Asylum

The decision to film in an abandoned asylum was an early inspiration for Farley, who felt an instant connection to the location. “The first time I visited the asylum location, I knew I wanted to create a movie there,” she recalls. With eerie, decayed interiors and a palpable sense of history, the asylum provides a haunting backdrop that’s essential to the story’s atmosphere.

Farley embarked on the journey of DEVON in 2020, assembling a team of close friends to help bring her vision to life. The resulting film surpassed her own expectations, delivering an experience that combines the visceral fear of found footage with a chilling exploration of human curiosity.

A Tribute to Horror’s Psychological Depths

DEVON not only brings audiences face-to-face with fear but also probes deeper questions about the lure of the unknown. In a director’s statement, Farley shares her fascination with the tension between curiosity and self-preservation. “At what cost will we immerse ourselves into the unknown? At what point does curiosity overpower logic?”

Using a similar documentary-like perspective, DEVON explores these themes through the characters’ first-hand experiences in the asylum. The found footage approach pulls viewers into a narrative that feels intensely personal and real, capturing the interplay of fear, fascination, and desperation as the adventurers delve further into a mystery that may cost them everything.

Final Thoughts

For Jenni “JWoww” Farley, DEVON represents a bold foray into horror, fueled by a lifelong passion for the genre. By combining a classic found footage style with a fresh story, she delivers a film that pays homage to genre greats while adding her own voice. Horror enthusiasts looking for psychological thrills and an homage to The Blair Witch Project should mark their calendars for November 12, 2024, when DEVON becomes available on digital platforms.

DEVON promises an immersive horror experience that dares audiences to question the line between curiosity and fear—and to explore what lurks in the shadows when we push beyond our limits.