Magnolia Pictures Acquires Spine-Chilling Japanese Horror 'Never After Dark'

Magnolia Pictures has secured North American distribution rights for the critically acclaimed Japanese horror film "Never After Dark." The movie, directed by Dave Boyle, made its debut at SXSW, where it garnered the Midnighter Audience Award. It later won the grand jury prize for feature film at the Overlook Film Festival and the Golden Raven at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival.

The film stars Moeka Hoshi as Airi, a wandering medium who guides restless spirits. Her skills are put to the ultimate test when she is summoned to a remote country house to confront a grotesque apparition whose powers defy her experience. As Airi delves into the house's history, a disturbing secret emerges, revealing that her most formidable adversary is not supernatural, but human.

"Never After Dark" is produced by Signal 181, a Tokyo-based production company founded by actor-producer Kento Kaku and Dave Boyle. The company aims to create distinct film and television projects connecting Japan and the United States. Magnolia Pictures plans a theatrical release for the film in the fall of 2026. The film will also be released in theaters across Japan on June 5, distributed by Toho Next.