Horror Icon Jeffrey Combs Joins “Mystery of the Mothman” for Creature-Feature Revival
Jeffrey Combs, a titan of the horror genre celebrated for his unforgettable roles in classics like “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” is set to electrify audiences once more. He’s been cast in a pivotal role for “Mystery of the Mothman,” a chilling new film that will be showcased at this year’s prestigious Frontiรจres Co-Production Market in montreal.
The feature debut from Canadian director austin Birtch, with production by Lauren Andrews and Sydney Lloyd, delves into the enduring enigma of the Mothman. This legendary creature, characterized by its human-like size, bird-like form, and piercing red eyes, was reportedly sighted in New Jersey during a series of unsettling events in the late 1960s.
“The Mothman legend is a unique fixture of North american folklore that has always felt ripe for adaptation,” Birtch shared with Variety. “The original story of a town plagued with tragedy, a shadowy red-eyed, winged monster haunting the skies, bizarre Men in Black threatening UFO witnesses, and a telepathic alien calling himself Indrid Cold has always captivated my inventiveness. What really happened in Point Pleasant in 1967?!”
While the 2002 Richard Gere film “the Mothman Prophecies” explored the myth, Birtch’s vision promises a more visceral, genre-driven experience. “While I want to honor that mythology, my approach to the material is as a creature-feature horror film with practical effects akin to early Carpenter or Spielberg,” Birtch explained.”I think audiences are going to love seeing this throwback creature feature that honors a familiar legend with a fresh spin – especially as audiences show renewed thankfulness for practical effects and character-driven storytelling.”
This sentiment is echoed by frontiรจres Executive Director Annick Mahnert, who noted the growing trend of practical effects in filmmaking. “There’s a lot of horror that goes back to practical effects, and I love that,” Mahnert stated, highlighting the embrace of this style by filmmakers like Birtch.
Collaborating with executive producer and creature effects artist Steven Kostanski, Birtch aims to craft a truly terrifying mothman, meticulously designed with practical effects. “We’re aiming to create a genuinely terrifying practical Mothman that feels ripped out of a ’70s creature feature – something fans of the cryptid have been longing for for years,” Birtch added.
Beyond his iconic horror contributions, Combs is also beloved by fans for his extensive work in the “Star Trek” universe, portraying multiple characters including Weyoun in “Deep Space Nine” and the voice of Agimus in “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”
In “Mystery of the Mothman,” Combs will embody Adam lubin, the sole paranormal investigator remaining in Point Pleasant following the devastating Silver Bridge collapse. “His character is the anchor of the narrative,” birtch revealed, hinting at the depth and emotional weight Combs will bring to the role.