The Latcher horror film premieres at FrightFest 2026

The horror film ‘The Latcher’, written and directed by James Hunter, had its world premiere at FrightFest 2026. The film is a psychological gothic thriller that explores the profound grief and trauma following the loss of an infant.

The story follows Alice, a midwife played by Lucy Lovegrove, who retreats to a remote house to process the loss of her daughter and the subsequent breakdown of her relationship with her partner, Jason (Darcy Kent). The setting is haunted by local folklore regarding ‘the latcher’, a figure from the Victorian era rumored to cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Reviews describe the film as a moody, slow-burn meditation on grief. While some critics noted the film focuses more on the internal emotional struggle and the protagonist's unraveling reality than on traditional horror elements, it is recognized for its intense examination of the complexities of loss.