It was filmed entirely in the woods near Newquay
The Cull is a new horror movie being filmed in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall(Image: Red 3 Films Ltd)
A horror movie filmed entirely in Cornwall is to have its world premiere in London this month. The Cull, which was filmed around Mawgan Porth in 2024, will have its first outing at the two-day Frightfest Halloween event at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London.
The film, described as ‘haunting and gritty Halloween Folk horror’, was written and directed by JP Davidson (The Last House) and stars Craig Russell (Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, Protein), who hails from Falmouth. The cast is rounded out by Ollie McFarlane (Nowhere), Tim Cartwright (Gods of the Deep), Sarah Bowden (BBC’s Cornwall-filmed Beyond Paradise), Kate Edney (The Chocolate Club), Sally Geake (Washed Up), Richard Hainsworth (Fisherman’s Friends) and Rory Wilton (Fisherman’s Friends).
The 89-minute long film was shot in the woods outside Mawgan Porth near Newquay. In addition to local cast and crew, the production worked with Falmouth University to open up work experience roles on the film.
Second and third year students were offered a week of work experience in their chosen departments and were mentored by a professional crew member.
A still from the folk horror Cornish film The Cull
The Cull is about Niall, a man wrongly imprisoned for his mother’s murder, who is released after years behind bars. Having found God and renounced a life of violence and addiction, he retreats to a remote woodland cabin seeking redemption and the truth behind her death.
Instead, he finds a hostile community ruled by a ruthless family, where every encounter deepens the mystery surrounding his mother’s past. As brutal violence erupts and terrifying visions blur the line between nightmare and reality, Niall uncovers a sinister legacy of witchcraft, blood sacrifice and forbidden ritual.
A still from the Cornish folk horror film The Cull (Image: JP Davidson )
Drawn into an occult conspiracy decades in the making, he discovers his release was no coincidence. Something has been patiently waiting in the forest, and its hunger for vengeance can only be satisfied with blood.
At the time of the shoot in 2024, director Davidson said: “This film is about the struggle between wanting to move forward and being pulled back by your history. Niall’s journey is a reflection of many who seek redemption but find themselves entangled in their past choices.”
About his film being premiered in London this month, he added: “It’s incredibly exciting to see our Cornish indie horror have its world premiere at Tubi FrightFest Halloween 2026. We made the film with a real love of the landscape, folklore and darkness of rural England, so having it unleashed on a London audience at Halloween feels amazing.”
Greg Day, Frightfest co-director, said: “This is our 20th edition of the Halloween event, and it remains an unmissable highlight for genre cinema lovers, bringing an exceptional lineup of new horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films to London’s Odeon Luxe West End. We know this year’s selection goes some way into capturing the spirit of the Halloween weekend.”
The Cull will have its premiere on October 30 at the Frightfest Halloween 2026. Some of the cast and director JP Davidson will be in attendance.
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