Written by: Sam Santiago
Here at Truly Disturbing, we’re always digging through the darkest corners of horror to find the next wave of nightmare fuel. Sure, we’re based in the States, but horror has never belonged to one country. Fear is global. Gore is universal. And if we’re going to build Truly Disturbing into a worldwide horror destination, that means hunting down the best indie genre filmmaking from every blood-soaked corner of the planet.
That’s exactly how we stumbled across UK indie studio SHOGUN FILMS, while doom-scrolling through our X feed late one night. What originally caught our attention was the announcement for their upcoming werewolf film Werewolf Hunt, which already sounds like the kind of full moon chaos we absolutely live for around here. Unfortunately, that one won’t be clawing its way onto screens until summer. Until then, SHOGUN has two new horror projects stepping up to keep our cold little horror-loving hearts beating: Harbinger and Guy Fawkes: Blood & Fire.
And honestly? These aren’t your average bargain-bin indie horror flicks.
Founded in 2020 by veteran producer Jonathan Sothcott, SHOGUN FILMS has quietly become one of the UK’s most interesting independent genre studios, specializing in low-budget horror and action projects with a heavy love for classic British cult cinema. Think Hammer Horror but with a modern look. Their growing catalog includes titles like Helloween, Doctor Plague, Nemesis, and Renegades, while also featuring genre veterans and recognizable names, including Lee Majors, Patsy Kensit, Martin Kemp, and Ian Ogilvy.
First up is Harbinger, a supernatural horror film dripping with old-school Hammer Horror and Amicus energy. The film stars Carole Ann Ford, Gary Webster, Tony Sands, and Peter Woodward, and follows Julia, the lone survivor of satanic serial killer Henry Decker. (We wonder if he's related to the killer in Nightbreed?) Still suffering from PTSD years after narrowly escaping death, Julia agrees to return to Decker’s abandoned home as part of a paranormal TV investigation series hosted by Mike Craggs.
Inside the house, the crew discovers an eerie fortune-telling machine known as The Harbinger, a twisted carnival relic capable of dispensing tarot-like prophecies. What they don’t realize is that Decker transferred his soul into the machine before dying, and now the killer is using it to manipulate, torment, and murder the crew one by one in order to resurrect himself.
The setup feels like a greasy midnight cocktail made from Tales from the Crypt, Ghostwatch, and dusty VHS-era British horror that smells faintly of cigarettes and fake blood. Even better, SHOGUN isn’t hiding its inspirations. Sothcott openly cites classic Hammer and Amicus films as the backbone of the project, which honestly explains why the whole thing already feels like it belongs on a shelf next to Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors and The House That Dripped Blood.
The creature and central Harbinger figure were designed by special effects artist Stuart Webb, while Nemesis director James Crow takes the helm.
The studio has also launched a crowdfunding campaign for the film through Greenlit.com, offering horror collectors physical media goodies including Blu-rays, soundtrack CDs, posters, and even screen-used tarot cards from the film itself. In a time where studios are trying to convince us digital ownership is “the future,” it’s refreshing seeing indie horror creators still fighting for physical media like it’s 1994.
Studio head Jonathan Sothcott had this to say about the project:
“Having resisted the lure of crowdfunding on our previous movies, Harbinger seems like the perfect project with which to embrace the huge value it offers filmmakers. Not only do we want to raise some money to really get the film out there in an increasingly oversaturated market, but we also want to use this exercise to really raise awareness for the film. I grew up watching all the great British horror movies of the ’60s and ’70s. They’re in my blood, you might say, but it isn’t the kind of film I’m really associated with… yet! So we want to get this movie out there as far and wide as possible. If you love Hammer and Amicus and all those kinds of films, I’m sure you’ll like this!”
WATCH THE CROWDFUNDING VIDEO FOR "HARBINGER" BELOW
Then there’s Guy Fawkes: Blood & Fire, which sounds like SHOGUN looked at British history, tossed gasoline on it, and screamed “make it supernatural.” We remember, remember the 5th of November, sheesh, no need to get pushy there Fawxy.
The upcoming horror film reimagines the infamous Gunpowder Plot figure with a darker, occult-inspired angle. Directed by Benjamin David and written by Dominic Philpot, the film stars Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott, Charlie Woodward, and Paul Terry beneath the sinister Guy Fawkes mask itself.
SHOGUN recently unveiled the film’s fiery key art while also announcing an accompanying novelization through Caffeine Nights Publishing.
According to Sothcott, the story expanded far beyond what could fit into a single film, leading to the creation of a full novel adaptation ahead of the movie’s November 2026 release.
Darren Laws, publisher at Caffeine Nights Publishing, said, “Working with Jonathan again has been a genuine pleasure. We’ve always shared a passion for bold, character-driven storytelling. Dominic’s novelization was a joy to publish. His writing is so sharp and fully realized that he left me remarkably little to do. The film promises to be a thrilling ride and, I believe, another foundation stone in Shogun’s growing empire of modern British classics.”
Between killer fortune machines, supernatural serial killers, occult Guy Fawkes mythology, and an obvious love for practical horror filmmaking, SHOGUN FILMS feels like a studio horror fans should absolutely keep on their radar moving forward.
Especially if Werewolf Hunt ends up delivering exactly what its title promises. Because honestly? We’ll never say no to another werewolf movie. Ever.
Stay here for more news from our friends at Shogun Films.