Epic Pictures’ horror label DREAD has never shied away from the darker corners of human nature, but its latest project, DOROTHEA, might be its most chilling yet. Inspired by the true story of serial killer Dorothea Puente, the film digs into the horrifying tale of a seemingly sweet grandmother who drugged and murdered her tenants — then buried them in her garden. The film will open in limited theaters on October 31 before arriving on VOD November 4.
Written and directed by Chad Ferrin (Pig Killer, Ed Kemper), DOROTHEA continues Dread’s growing slate of true-crime horror stories, following last year’s Ed Kemper with a film on Richard Ramirez — the infamous “Night Stalker” — set to release next.
A Grandmother’s Deadly Secrets
Puente’s crimes shocked the nation in the late 1980s, not only because of their brutality but because of who she was — a polite, elderly woman who ran a boarding house for the vulnerable and lonely. DOROTHEA peels back the layers of her carefully maintained façade, revealing a predator who used kindness as her deadliest weapon.
The film’s synopsis describes it as a story that “forces audiences to confront the terrifying truth that real evil often hides in plain sight.” Through a mix of psychological tension and grisly realism, Ferrin aims to capture the quiet horror behind Puente’s crimes — a woman shaped by trauma and driven by greed, whose garden became a graveyard.
From Festival Applause to Horror Spotlight
After premiering at the Valley Film Festival, Ferrin expressed confidence that the film would resonate with audiences. “The energy in that theater was unreal,” he said. “From the first frame to the last, people were completely with it. I’ve never had a more positive screening in my career.”
It’s clear that DOROTHEA continues the momentum of Ferrin’s collaboration with DREAD. “After what they did with Ed Kemper,” he added, “I know this story is in the best hands possible.”
True Crime Meets Horror
Dread CEO and executive producer Patrick Ewald describes DOROTHEA as the next step in a series that blurs the line between biographical storytelling and horror filmmaking. “This series explores the darkest corners of human nature,” Ewald said. “Chad masterfully transports audiences to the time and mindset of these events, creating something that’s both haunting and authentic.”
With Ewald teasing that the upcoming Richard Ramirez film will “push this series even further,” Dread seems committed to carving a new niche where true-crime and horror intersect.
An Ensemble of Familiar Faces
DOROTHEA boasts an impressive cast that includes Susan Priver (Ed Kemper), Lew Temple (The Walking Dead), Brinke Stevens (House on Haunted Hill), Ginger Lynn (The Devil’s Rejects), and Brenda James (Slither). The lineup continues with Cassandra Gava, Cyril O’Reilly, Ezra Buzzington, Robert Miano, Brandon Kirk, and William Salyers — many of whom are genre veterans who bring a grim authenticity to Ferrin’s dark vision.
About Epic Pictures & DREAD
Founded in 2007, Epic Pictures has become a cornerstone of independent genre filmmaking, producing and distributing between 20 and 30 films each year. Its DREAD label, launched in 2017 following the acquisition of Dread Central, has since expanded into digital platforms like DreadTV and even gaming through its sister brand DreadXP. Together, they’ve built a horror ecosystem — one that thrives on giving fans stories made by people who love the genre as much as they do.
DOROTHEA looks to continue that tradition, serving up a disturbing reminder that sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the ones who look perfectly harmless.
DOROTHEA opens in limited theaters on October 31 and will be available on VOD November 4.
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