Production has officially concluded on "The Divine Comedy," a fresh supernatural horror film helmed by Chilean director Patricio Valladares. Dublin-based production and sales banner Skincrawl Studios released a first-look image from the project, which adapts Dante Alighieri's famous literary work into a contemporary genre feature. The production company is managing global distribution rights and plans to take the movie to major industry circuits in the coming months.
A Modern Horror Spin on Dante's Inferno
The feature serves as a modern reimagining centered entirely on the "Inferno" portion of the 14th-century Italian epic poem. Screenwriter and producer Loris Curci shaped the narrative around Dante, presented here as a grieving author who chooses to venture straight into the realm of the dead to retrieve Beatrice, his late wife. Leading him through these harrowing depths is Virgil, who is reimagined as an ex-priest.
The Divine Comedy Production Overview
| Role / Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Patricio Valladares |
| Screenwriter | Loris Curci |
| Key Cast | Christopher Rygh, Matthew Metcalfe, Tilda Metsola, Fadhillah Othman |
| Production Companies | Skincrawl Studios, Anxur Films |
| Producers | Alessandro Gatto, Corrado Camilla, Loris Curci |
| Source Material | Dante Alighieri's 'The Divine Comedy' (Inferno) |
| Sales Markets | American Film Market (AFM), European Film Market (EFM) |
As the pair descend further into the subterranean circles of Hell, they encounter menacing supernatural entities alongside raw embodiments of suffering, desire, and remorse. Curci acknowledged that the adaptation narrows its lens considerably, prioritizing the core dynamic between the two travelers while giving Beatrice a sharper, more dramatic role than in the original text.
Curci also integrated classical mythological elements into the script, drawing inspiration from the ancient Greek and Roman frameworks that Dante himself relied upon centuries ago. While framed with classical tragedy and monsters, the production team has structured the project as an ambitious, small-budget contemporary fantasy-horror movie designed to translate Dante's imagery into an intense visual format.
International Cast and Production Details
The cast features Christopher Rygh, known for "Vikings: Valhalla," alongside Matthew Metcalfe, Tilda Metsola, and Fadhillah Othman. Behind the camera, the film represents an international joint effort between Ireland's Skincrawl Limited and Italian production outfit Anxur Films.
Alessandro Gatto produced the picture for Anxur Films, while Curci and Corrado Camilla produced under the Skincrawl banner. The collaboration builds on prior creative ties, as Curci previously partnered with Valladares on the 2017 genre movie "Nightworld."
Valladares has maintained a steady presence in international independent horror. His filmography includes the 2023 found-footage title "Invoking Yell," which streams globally on AMC Networks' platform Shudder, and "Invoking Scream," which recently premiered at London's FrightFest ahead of a scheduled theatrical run in Chile next year. His prior credits also include the Michael Biehn-led project "Hidden in the Woods."
Market Rollout and Festival Strategy
With filming concluded, Skincrawl Studios is preparing to introduce "The Divine Comedy" to global distributors across upcoming industry trade events. The company intends to debut a teaser trailer at the upcoming American Film Market (AFM) before hosting full industry screenings at the Berlin International Film Festival's European Film Market (EFM) in February.
Producer Corrado Camilla indicated that the company plans to target broad film festivals following its market presentations in Berlin. Skincrawl leadership noted that the title's unique blend of literary horror sets it apart from conventional studio fright films, prompting an outreach campaign across diverse international film markets.
The project fits alongside several recent genre titles on Skincrawl's distribution slate. The company previously backed "The Sarajevo Murders," directed by Giorgio Bruno and picked up for U.S. release by Cleopatra Entertainment, as well as the post-production monster movie "Island of the Minotaur," which Curci directed.
Industry buyers at AFM and attendees at the upcoming European Film Market will serve as the initial testing ground for Valladares' latest effort, establishing the film's theatrical and streaming footprints across worldwide territories.
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Source: Variety
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