White Lotus Productions recently announced that their horror film Agoraphobia is now available to the North American public. The film features Cassandra Scerbo (Sharknado franchise) and horror icon, Tony Todd (Candyman and Final Destination franchises).
Writer-director, Lou Simón, shared the news of its much anticipated release. “It’s been a long time coming. We fought very hard to make this happen, and I’m glad that we get to finally share the film with the world.”
The film tells the story of an agoraphobic who inherits her father’s house in a remote part of the Florida Keys. Afraid to go outside, she discovers that there’s something far more terrifying trapped inside the house with her. Cassandra Scerbo plays the role of the agoraphobic, Faye, and Tony Todd plays her psychiatrist, Doctor Murphy.
After being selected to screen and winning several awards at film festivals worldwide, Agoraphobia was picked up for distribution in various territories, including North America.
However, when the film was inadvertently released without permission, the independent film company took legal action against the three companies involved, as well as Google, Amazon and Microsoft.
A Lengthy Court Battle
The negotiations in New York federal court took over four years, but the parties finally settled the case amicably. “It definitely felt like we were David fighting Goliath,” expressed actor Julie Kendall, who plays Elizabeth in the film. “I was so glad to hear that the case had been settled. I’m very happy that Lou fought for all of us who worked so hard on the film, and on behalf of all independent filmmakers.”
Writer, producer and director, Simón was born in Havana, Cuba. At age nine, her family immigrated to the U.S. to escape the communist regime. Lou started writing short stories at the age of 10, but eventually went on to pursue a law career. Lou found her way back to her writing in 2010, and in 2011, she decided to produce one of her scripts.
Since then, Lou has written, produced and directed four feature films in four years: HazMat, Agoraphobia, All Girls Weekend and 3:An Eye For An Eye. All her films have obtained distribution throughout the world and have won several awards at various film festivals.
She just completed her thriller, 73 Minutes, which was filmed during the lockdown of 2020, and is in development on her next film, the post-apocalyptic sci-fi feature, Adam 6.
Reel 360 was invited to view the film so we could review it. Lou Simon, the “Mistress of Suspense,” has done it again! After the success of her previous films, Simon has maintained her consistency in assembling her team of talented filmmakers both behind and in front of the camera. Agoraphobia was beautifully filmed on location in picturesque Florida. The cinematography was top notch.
While seemingly slow at times, the film maintains a heightened level of suspense and the horror scenes are frightening and alarming, with just the right amount of gore. Just when you think you know what’s happening, Lou’s writing takes us on a shocking twist, which is why Agoraphobia is a REEL FILM TO SEE
The film is available to rent and purchase on Amazon.
CREDITS:
- Cassandra Scerbo (Faye)
- Tony Todd (Dr. Murphy)
- Adam Brudnicki (Tom)
- Maria Olsen (Aunt Margie)
- Aniela McGuinness (Stephanie)
- Roberto Escobar (Detective Martinez)
- Gema Calero (Nina)
- Julie Kendall (Elizabeth).
- Written and directed by Lou Simón
- Produced by Tara Cardinal
- Cinematography by Stephen Brevig
- Edited by Michal Shipman
- Music by Michael Damon
- Makeup and Special Effects Supervisor: Rene Quesada
Joia DaVida reports on the entertainment industry in both Chicago and Los Angeles.
