True crime and horror collide as Epic Pictures’ DREAD label gears up for the release of Ed Kemper, the chilling first installment in a new series of biographical true crime films. This gripping thriller, based on the shocking real-life crimes of the infamous serial killer, will hit select theaters on April 4, 2025, before arriving on video-on-demand on April 8, 2025.
Directed by Chad Ferrin (Pig Killer, H.P. Lovecraft’s The Old Ones), Ed Kemper promises to take audiences deep into the disturbed mind of one of history’s most terrifying murderers. The film was co-written by Ferrin and Stephen Johnston (Ted Bundy, The Hillside Strangler), bringing an unflinching and harrowing vision to the screen.
Leading the cast is The Walking Dead’s Lew Temple, joined by a stellar ensemble that includes Cassandra Gava (Conan the Barbarian), Robert Miano (Fast & Furious), Brinke Stevens (House on Haunted Hill), Susan Priver (Night Caller), and Brandon Kirk (Scalper).
Ed Kemper explores the psychological torment and violent urges that shaped the killer, a man whose deceptive charm masked a gruesome obsession with murder and revenge—particularly against the woman who left the deepest scars: his own mother.
Director Chad Ferrin reflected on the project’s significance, stating, “Having three films releasing in 2025 is a watershed moment for me. And with two of those, Ed Kemper and Dorothea, in the capable hands of Epic Pictures, their cinematic future couldn’t be brighter.”
Co-writer Stephen Johnston shared his excitement, noting, “I originally envisioned Ed Kemper as having a sort of punk rock horror energy, and seeing that realized by Chad Ferrin’s sure-handed direction, deft performances from the cast, and the hard work of a great crew—and now learning the movie’s going to have its release through Epic Pictures—has truly been magical. Sure, it’s a disturbing sort of magical, but that’s the best kind.”
Epic Pictures CEO Patrick Ewald also expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s release, stating, “We’re beyond thrilled to unleash Ed Kemper, a bold and unnerving dive into the mind of one of history’s most infamous killers. True crime and horror are a potent, pulse-pounding combination, and with this film—and our upcoming slate at Dread—we’re crafting stories that are as smart as they are terrifying. Brace yourself for an intense and unforgettable ride into the darkest corners of human nature.”
With Ed Kemper kicking off a series of true crime horror thrillers—including upcoming titles Dorothea and Richard Ramirez—DREAD is poised to deliver some of the most chilling cinematic experiences yet. Prepare for a descent into darkness when Ed Kemper arrives in theaters and on demand in April 2025.
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