The trailer for DEVON, a found-footage horror movie marking the directorial debut of Jenni “JWoww” Farley, has officially dropped. Yes, that JWoww—from The Jersey Shore, now trading in beachside brawls for haunted asylums. It’s safe to say this is a bit of a pivot from fist-pumping to ghost hunting, but here we are.
DEVON, produced by Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting, will premiere on Screambox on November 12, 2024, just in time for Halloween chills. Exclusively unveiled by Collider earlier this week, the trailer sets up an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The movie introduces viewers to Kimberly Kravitz, a news anchor who tells the story of the “missing” stars of the film, all while interspersed with footage of terrified faces screaming in the dark. The film follows five adventurers who are drawn to explore an abandoned asylum, the last known location of a missing girl named Devon—hence the film’s title.
The full synopsis reveals a deeper storyline: Devon’s parents never stopped searching for their daughter after her mysterious disappearance from an asylum years ago. Now, a cryptic website has recruited five individuals to enter the abandoned asylum and uncover what really happened. These explorers, equipped with only their gear, soon find themselves delving into a deadly and terrifying mystery.
DEVON evokes the raw energy of older horror projects like Megan Is Missing and MTV’s Fear. It’s found footage with a dose of the reality TV style JWoww knows well, resulting in a 72-minute experience that doesn’t skimp on tense moments and eerie vibes. Unlike a typical paranormal show like Ghost Adventures, DEVON aims for a narrative-driven approach, despite keeping a close focus on shaky cameras and the panicked faces of its young cast. Who would’ve thought the queen of tanning and tequila shots would be responsible for making us afraid of the dark?
Farley, a longtime admirer of the horror genre, is bringing a surprisingly disciplined approach to DEVON—something you might not expect from someone whose claim to fame includes throwing drinks and dodging duck phone drama. The movie feels like a throwback to the days when Fear had everyone on edge, mixed with a dose of TikTok-era horror reminiscent of Megan Is Missing. And while the move from reality TV chaos to horror movie direction might seem unexpected, Farley’s knack for high drama fits right into this chilling new venture.
“I am thrilled to be diving into the horror space alongside Cineverse and Screambox, who have the industry and fandom knowledge to see that DEVON lands in the hands of the right audience,” Farley shared. “As a longtime reality TV veteran, I’m excited to kick off this new chapter in the horror movie genre and hope that DEVON is just the beginning.” Of course, this new chapter doesn’t involve any Shore Store shenanigans—but rest assured, there’s still plenty of screaming.
DEVON is set to make its mark on Cineverse’s Screambox platform on November 12, 2024. Horror fans can look forward to a blend of eerie found-footage scares, nostalgia for early 2000s horror, and Jenni “JWoww” Farley’s unexpected yet intriguing directorial debut.
