Correction: The previous version of this story misspelled the name of a move title and Vanessa Ulm's last name. Director Maxwell Morro's name was also misspelled. The errors have been corrected. (Oct. 10, 2023)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A new thriller movie known as “Horntak” is being filmed in southern Kentucky and is being partnered with the Southern Kentucky Film Commission for its production.
The film will be a suspenseful, drama, emotional form of content. It aims to appeal to families who are struggling with traumatic issues, all while throwing in thrilling aspects of the movie.
The plot centers around a family encountering a cult within the woods, while those family members deal with certain problems of their own.
The movie is being directed by Maxwell Morro. This is Morro’s debut when it comes to directing feature films.
“It’s a very fun story. It’s got drama, it’s got suspense, it’s got horror, it’s got a lot of genres of film that I really love,” Morro said.
Morro also co-writ the script. He said that the motivation to write about family trauma stemmed from life experiences he and his co-writer had gone through.
“We wanted to tell a story that had real heart,” Morro said. “We wanted to showcase family values, what happens when parents are separated, and what happens when kids deal with that aftermath.”
Scenes have been filmed since September and are being filmed throughout this week and next week. The movie will be recorded in places such as Edmonson County, Barren County, Warren County, and Hart County.
Specifically, scenes will also be shot at the Australia Themed Animal Park Kentucky Down Under, in the woods, and throughout various caves.
Actor Michael Perl is one of the characters in the movie, playing the role of “Aaron.” This is Perl’s second time acting while in Kentucky, and he said that it is unlike any other place he typically performs at.
“The director of the last show we shot here, when I spoke to him at the phone, he said ‘Everything is green and blue and lovely’ and he’s right,” Perl said. “But, the most beautiful thing about Southern Kentucky, are the people. We have just been so lucky and blessed.”
The people have accommodated their needs by having Southern Kentucky Film Commission host the film crew while they finish the film in the Commonwealth. Vanessa Ulm, the commissioner for SOKY Film Commission, said she was happy to show off the beauty of Kentucky.
“We were thrilled that they were coming to our county as well as some of our other counties because we love to show off what we have here,” Ulm said. “If it’s ideal for them, it’s ideal for us to have them filming.”
As of right now, the film does not plan to debut on the big screen. However, it will be released on certain platforms, but the film crew has not decided which platforms to release it on yet. A release date has not yet been approved.