The Horror Collective Snags "Do Not Open" set to release this November

Noëlle Gutierrez in Do Not Open, courtesy of The Horror Collective

Brian Babarik's Do Not Open takes a deep dive into our obsession with phones and apps, offering a chilling tech-horror experience. The film, starring an emerging young cast, follows a young girl whose life spirals into chaos after downloading a mysterious app, revealing family secrets and forcing confrontations with hidden issues. *Do Not Open* has been acquired by The Horror Collective, with a planned release on November 12th. The film will be showcased at the upcoming American Film Market, where a trailer is expected to drop. Stay tuned for more details on the acquisition and release.

Entertainment Squad has acquired worldwide rights to DO NOT OPEN from Novel Thoughts Production Co., Inc. And will release the film across English-speaking territories on November 12 under its genre label, The Horror Collective. Foreign sales agency Glass House Distribution will sell the rest of the world at the upcoming American Film Market in Las Vegas.

Directed by Brian Babarik, Do Not Open explores the dark side of tech obsession, a technological thriller that will leave viewers questioning their own digital device dependencies.

Do Not Open features an ensemble cast of rising talent, including Danish actor Kian Lawson-Khalili, Swedish award-nominated actress Johanna Smitz, and seasoned Swedish performer Tomas Engström. Joining them is newcomer Noëlle Gutierrez in her debut role, promising a captivating mix of fresh energy and veteran skill that brings the intense psychological horror to life.

Filmed during the pandemic in the serene, isolated landscapes of Sweden, Do Not Open taps into the deep-seated fears of our modern tech-driven world. The story follows the Doe family as they grapple with their increasing reliance on technology, which soon takes a sinister turn.

When Daughter’s dreams of attending a music festival are dashed by her parents, her attempt to save face with her friends by downloading a mysterious app sets off a terrifying chain of events. The family's darkest secrets and deepest fears are manipulated and exposed through the devices they hold so dear.

As their lives spiral out of control, Dad's dating app reveals his infidelity, Son becomes the target of an online predator, and Mom's obsession with self-help websites turns malevolent. As their finances are drained and their personal lives destroyed, the family flees to a remote cabin to escape the nightmare. But even without their devices, the Doe family’s unresolved tensions bubble to the surface, culminating in an explosive climax.