Giallo Thriller Saturnalia Heads to VOD April 24 from Terror Films Releasing

Sophia Anthony stars in Saturnalia, a giallo-inspired thriller set inside a mysterious 1979 academy.

Giallo-Inspired Thriller Saturnalia Heads to VOD April 24

A return to stylized dread and psychological unease is on the horizon as Saturnalia, the giallo-inspired thriller from director Daniel Lerch, prepares to arrive on digital platforms across North America on April 24 through Terror Films Releasing.

Set against the backdrop of 1979, Saturnalia follows Miriam Basconi, played by Sophia Anthony, a young woman sent to the elite Alstroemerias Academy after the unexplained deaths of her parents. What initially presents itself as a prestigious institution quickly reveals something far more unsettling. Students vanish without explanation, shadowy figures linger just out of sight, and the imposing presence of Headmistress Hemlock casts a quiet but suffocating control over the school.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR82XY6pe3M

As Miriam begins to question the reality around her, the film shifts into more surreal territory. Beneath the academy’s polished surface lies something deeper—an internal world that distorts the boundaries between reality and nightmare. What emerges is not just a mystery to solve, but an environment that must be survived, forcing Miriam to confront both institutional authority and the unknown forces embedded within it.

Lerch describes the project as a deliberate homage to 1970s Italian exploitation cinema, drawing clear influence from the giallo tradition and the era’s approach to pacing and atmosphere. Rather than leaning into modern conventions, the film embraces a more patient, immersive style—one that challenges audiences to sit within its tension rather than rush through it. That commitment extends to its sonic identity as well, with legendary composer Claudio Simonetti, known for his work with Goblin, contributing to the score. For Lerch, the collaboration represents a full-circle moment, connecting the film directly to the genre’s foundational sound.

With its period setting, stylized visuals, and emphasis on psychological unease, Saturnalia positions itself as both a tribute and an attempt to expand on the legacy of giallo cinema. It’s a film that appears less interested in imitation and more focused on capturing the feeling that defined the genre—unpredictable, unsettling, and visually distinct.

Saturnalia will be available across Terror Films Releasing’s digital platform network beginning April 24, 2026.