It’s close to opening, and something evil’s lurking in the park. Such is the scenario of John Langridge‘s new indie stalk-and-slasher CHARLIE SHAW’S REVENGE.
Say hello to Marion (Cerys Knighton) , an ambitious businessperson who looks like she could do with a proper break like THE APPRENTICE or DRAGON’S DEN, but her goal this time is to get Forrestal’s Funland, a near-bankrupt theme park, back on its’ hobby-horse and any other animal in its’ wake galloping into profit.
The team Marion has to deal with probably look like understudies for Clint Eastwood‘s Bronco Billy Rodeo from four decades plus before but without the style of Hugh Jackman‘s back-up as THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.
However, there is a clear problem that a mysterious killer is lurking in the shadows and woods around the park – and before long, the prospect of a slashed budget seems to take a backseat to slashed throats…and any other body part in the process….
Screened as the opening film at the 2026 London Independent Film Festival (LIFF) in April, CHARLIE SHAW’S REVENGE, as described by Langridge in the post-screen Q and A as a homage to classic 1970s and 80s horror with films like THE FUNHOUSE, FRIDAY THE 13TH and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET is actually – given the fact that it taps into the paradigm that my generation grew to know and love on many a Friday night at our local video store-cum-garage-cum-cornershop and so forth – a passable entry, backed up by some admirable make-up and gore effects (which head artist Kate Griffiths revealed to me were accomplished on a budget of about £2ooo!!!) which really hit the mark that the likes of KNB and Tom Savini did back in the day.
There is a touch of Pennywise and other iconic horror heroes in the mix too.
Granted, you have probably seen this film before, but it is the sort of movie you will lap up over a beer-or-two with curry on a Friday evening with Nachos thrown into the bargain. Horror is probably the genre where you can go cheap and still be effective overall. Langridge’s film has the potential to hit the right audience and was well received at LIFF 2026).
Cast acquits themselves very well, with Knighton proving chops as the lead protagonist.
The London Independent Film Festival plays every April and October at the Genesis Cinema, Mile End, London UK.
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