On behalf of IFC Films, we have a sneak peek of the upcoming psychological thriller THE RULE OF JENNY PEN, starring John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush.
In THE RULE OF JENNY PEN, arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush) suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a retirement home. Resistant to the staff and distant from his friendly roommate, Mortensen soon clashes with seemingly gentle resident Dave Crealy (Lithgow) who secretly terrorizes the home with a sadistic game called "The Rule of Jenny Pen" while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. What begins as childish torment quickly escalates into far more sinister and disturbing incidents. When Mortensen's pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy's reign of terror.
THE RULE OF JENNY PEN stars John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush, and is directed by James Ashcroft who also wrote the script alongside Eli Kent. THE RULE OF JENNY PEN arrives in theaters Friday, Mary 7th, 2025.
James Ashcroft formed Light in the Dark Productions in 2014, specializing in contemporary screen adaptations from New Zealand's literary canon. His feature film directing debut Coming Home in the Dark premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2021 to great acclaim, followed by a global festival tour. He is currently working on a slate of features in the US including Max Brooks' Devolution and Grady Hendrix's How To Sell A Haunted House, for Legendary Studios and Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures, The Whisper Man for the Russo Brother's AGBO Productions/Netflix and an adaptation of the graphic novel Old Haunts for AWA Studios.
He attended the Venice Biennale Cinema College as one of 12 teams selected worldwide. He was one of 15 director/producers selected for the Torino Film Festivals inaugural Up & Coming Programme, showcasing talent from around the world. From 2006 - 2013, Ashcroft served as Artistic Director and Chief Executive of national Maori theatre company Taki Rua Productions, developing and touring New Zealond works both nationally and internationally. Ashcroft is a graduate of Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He has served internships with acclaimed theatre company The Wooster Group in New York.