Opening April 9th nation wide, nine friends discover a long-hidden board game that, when played, unleashes an ancient evil that brings out the worst in each of them.

Deep in the Anatolian Peninsula of Turkey, an archeological expedition in 1927 discovers an ancient Greek tomb devoted to Pan, the God of panic. In the tomb they find what appears to be an elaborate map of Pan’s kingdom of Pandemonium, however, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that this is actually a ritualistic board game. The expedition excitedly packs up their discovery and takes it to a remote island in Maine to re-assemble it.

On Beacon’s Island, the expedition’s investor, Nicholas (Richard Tyson), arrives to retrieve his treasure, only to find the last living member of the group, Niegel (Adamo Palladino) spewing claims that the game they discovered is evil and has killed the entire expedition, including its leader, Charles (Sean Lawlor). Nicholas demands that he be given what he’s paid for, but Niegel says he has hidden the game where it will never be found before killing Nicholas and himself.

80 years later, nine close friends arrive at Beacon’s Island for a weekend of relaxation and fun, unaware of the island’s dark past. Anton (Arcadiy Golubovich) arrives first with his wife Erica (Elise Avellan) and are greeted by the lone resident of the island, Pete (Robert Patrick), with a gunshot and a warning to leave. Pete quickly realizes that it’s his friend’s son, Anton, and shows the couple to the stately Victorian home where they’ll be staying.

Erica’s identical twin sister Renee (Electra Avellan) soon arrives with her fiancé Josh (Nick Mennell), along with Kathy (Danielle Harris) and her boyfriend Trent (Walker Howard), the beautiful actress Veronique (Mircea Monroe), and successful mortgage broker Robert (M.D. Walton). Tagging along, uninvited, is Rick (James Duval), a pothead trouble-maker who has alienated many in this group of friends with his refusal to grow up.

On their first night in the house, Anton accidentally discovers a secret room in its basement that holds the long-hidden board game. The nine friends begin to play and it soon becomes clear that this game will test the bonds of their friendships as long suppressed rage, jealousy, greed, hatred and lust come to the surface.

As the night wears on, the accusations become more intense and the spirit of Pan himself seems to be directing the actions of the friends. Soon, friend turns against friend, boyfriend against girlfriend, and wife against husband. One after another each of the friends meets a grizzly death at the hands of someone they loved and trusted.

With a surprise twist ending that will leave audiences in suspense, THE BLACK WATERS OF ECHO’S POND is a supernatural horror film that explores what happens when we unearth our long-buried resentments, darkest secrets, and give in to our most nightmarish fears.

The Black Waters of Echo's Pond Movie Trailer

A film by Gabriel Bologna

Starring

Robert Patrick
Danielle Harris
James Duval
Nick Mennell
Mircea Monroe,
Arcadiy Golubovich
Electra Avellan
Elise Avellan
Walker Howard
M.D. Walton

91 Minutes

Rated R for Bloody Horror Violence and Gore,
Language, Drug Use and some Sexuality/Nudity

ABOUT THE FILM

Director Gabriel Bologna was inspired to create the story for THE BLACK WATERS OF ECHO’S POND based on something he read in a history book. “I learned that many ancient civilizations believed that board games had supernatural powers,” says Bologna. “What other inanimate object could illicit emotions such as laughter, camaraderie, jealousy, hatred, and competitiveness? This is probably one of the reasons why board games have been unearthed from so many ancient tombs.”

Bologna was also interested in a story that explored the duality of humankind. “I’ve always been obsessed with how we’re capable of both great humanity and great inhumanity,” he explains. “I thought it would be interesting if there were some type of game that could unearth these qualities.”

Bologna wrote a script based on these ideas while his producer Jason Loughridge obtained financing from Parallel Media to make the film. A producer at Parallel was friendly with Sean Clark, a longtime fixture on the genre scene, as he’s been a writer for websites like Dread Central and hosts his own program about famous locations from horror films called “Horror’s Hallowed Grounds,” and suggested he come in to discuss beefing up the horror aspects of the script with Gabriel.

“Sean Clark was brought onto the team initially to help do some rewrites on the script,” says Bologna. “However, because of his rich background in the genre, he ended up becoming an integral part of the team. For example, it was his idea to make the Pan creature resurrect every time the game is played – acting as the puppet master – pulling the strings from the shadows.”

“I was just a rewrite guy and next thing I know I’m helping with casting and sitting in on auditions,” says Clark of the experience. “I’ve been spoiled by working with Gabe. He literally told me, ‘I’m not a horror guy and you’re the horror expert. I want you sitting next to me at all times. If you have an opinion and think I’m doing something not true to the genre, you have to tell me.’ Our relationship got so open during that whole process – I was sitting next to him on set every day. And I don’t think Gabe and I ever argued.”

“Writing partners are like a production crew,” adds Bologna, “they either work or they don’t. This one really worked.”

Continues Clark, “he trusted me a lot, which I really appreciated because I’d never made a movie. I was just a horror nerd.”

When asked about what it will be like to be on the other side of the media aisle, transitioning from genre journalist to filmmaker, Sean Clark is taking it all in stride.

“I’ve already heard criticisms and praise,” he says, “I appreciate constructive criticism. I’m not going to let it get me down. The bottom line is what the fans think. If the fans like it, I could care less what the critics think.”