Popcorn Frights Film Festival is gearing up to bring the curtain down on its eleventh edition with a scream, and not just any scream, but one dipped in high-concept horror and Hollywood gloss. The celebrated genre festival has announced that the official Closing Night film will be the U.S. Premiere of SHELL, the daring new directorial effort from Max Minghella (Teen Spirit). Taking place from –, across South Florida venues and streaming online nationwide, this year's festival promises to end on a note as stylish as it is sinister.
Starring Emmy Award-winner Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale, Invisible Man) and Academy Award-nominee Kate Hudson (Almost Famous, Glass Onion), SHELL offers a chilling, genre-blurring examination of vanity, reinvention, and the darkness hiding beneath society's obsession with perfection. Moss plays Samantha Lake, a washed-up actress desperate for a second chance. When she receives an invitation from Zoe Shannon (Hudson), the enigmatic and glamorous CEO of Shell, a trendsetting health and wellness empire, Samantha believes she's been given a shot at reclaiming her identity. But as she delves deeper into Zoe's pristine, polished world, she discovers that something far more terrifying than self-improvement may be lurking behind Shell's glossy facade. Patients begin disappearing. Truths unravel. And Samantha must face the possibility that Shell isn't selling salvation—it’s manufacturing monsters.
Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, SHELL now makes its eagerly anticipated American debut at Popcorn Frights, continuing the festival's tradition of spotlighting bold, original visions in genre filmmaking. Known for its daring programming and immersive atmosphere, Popcorn Frights has earned its place as one of the most influential horror showcases in North America.
“We couldn't be more thrilled to close this year's festival with the U.S. Premiere of SHELL. Max Minghella's film is the perfect culmination of everything Popcorn Frights stands for—innovative storytelling, boundary-pushing genre work, and unforgettable cinematic experiences. Having Elisabeth Moss and Kate Hudson deliver powerhouse performances in a film that so cleverly skewers the dark side of fame and beauty makes this a must-see for fans of smart, stylish horror,”
said the festival's co-founders in a joint statement.
Celebrated by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World," Popcorn Frights returns for its milestone eleventh year with a hybrid festival model that reflects both its growing national audience and its deep local roots. The 2025 lineup includes an impressive slate of 58 feature film premieres, interactive events, and spotlight screenings, along with in-person appearances by iconic filmmakers, rising stars, and industry trailblazers.
Attendees can experience the horror firsthand at two of South Florida's most beloved venues: Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale and Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood. For those unable to make it in person, the festival's virtual platform offers coast-to-coast access to its full lineup via streaming.
Tickets are now available, including Individual Screening Passes, In-Theater All-Access Badges, and Virtual All-Access Passes. Whether attending in person or joining from the comfort of home, fans can indulge in an unforgettable celebration of genre storytelling.
The announcement of SHELL as Closing Night follows the festival's Second Wave reveal, with a Third Wave still to come—teasing even more cinematic thrills and surprises before the festival officially kicks off in August.
The 2025 Popcorn Frights Film Festival is made possible thanks to the support of its esteemed partners and sponsors, including AGFA, Blue Underground, Celluloid Dreams, Fangoria, FlickDirect, Kino Cult, MVD, Paramount Scares, Radiance Films, and Troma Entertainment, alongside a fiercely devoted fanbase that continues to fuel the festival's growth and impact year after year.
Popcorn Frights remains the largest genre film festival in the Southeast United States and one of the most exciting destinations for horror enthusiasts worldwide. With its unwavering dedication to showcasing the finest contemporary genre cinema—from the ferocious to the fantastical—it remains an essential stop on the horror festival circuit and a beacon for the next wave of visionary filmmakers.
For more details, visit PopcornFrights.com.
Tags: popcorn frights, south florida, shell, elizabeth moss, kate hudson