Killhouse Films sets world premiere for horror feature CAPTIVE at Mad Monster Expo

Killhouse Films will premiere CAPTIVE at Mad Monster Expo in Concord, North Carolina, on Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. The launch caps a growing promotional push for the immersive horror feature and starts the film’s broader theatrical rollout.

Why it matters: - CAPTIVE is Killhouse Films’ debut feature, so the premiere is a major test for the indie studio’s first full-length horror release. - The Mad Monster Expo slot gives the film immediate access to a built-in horror audience, which could help drive buzz ahead of wider screenings and release plans. - All Mad Monster Expo ticket holders can attend for free, though seating will be limited.

What happened: - Killhouse Films announced that CAPTIVE will have its official world premiere at Mad Monster Expo in Concord, North Carolina, on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 9 p.m. Eastern. - The premiere will be the first public screening of the complete feature film. - The event follows a breakout trailer debut at Mad Monster Party Arizona, where the film was introduced to thousands of convention attendees.

The details: - Promotional material for CAPTIVE has generated more than 1 million combined social media views and hundreds of on-camera reactions. - Clint Winters, co-director and founder of Killhouse Films, said the film was built to be experienced with an audience. - Garren Maynard, co-owner of Mad Monster, said the convention wanted North Carolina fans to see the full film after the response in Arizona. - Wendy Conner, co-director, said the premiere marks the result of years of work by a small independent team. - CAPTIVE follows four young adults who disappear after a Halloween party and become unwilling participants in a live-streamed nightmare. - The film uses an immersive multi-perspective format inspired by real-world crime. - The story explores fears around digital anonymity, online voyeurism and internet-era violence. - The film places viewers alongside both victims and captors, rather than using a traditional found-footage approach. - Attendees can register at AccessCaptive.com to receive an exclusive numbered poster. - Killhouse Films also listed social accounts on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Between the lines: - The premiere strategy leans on convention culture, where live audience reactions can amplify horror marketing quickly. - The strong trailer response suggests Killhouse Films is using fan engagement to build momentum before the film’s wider rollout. - CAPTIVE’s premise taps into current anxieties about online spectacle and anonymous audience participation, which could help the film stand out in a crowded genre.

What's next: - CAPTIVE’s world premiere will kick off the film’s theatrical rollout. - Additional festival appearances, special screenings and release announcements are expected in the coming months. - Mad Monster Expo attendees should expect limited seating for the premiere, so early registration will matter.

The bottom line: - CAPTIVE is moving from viral trailer buzz to its first full audience test, and Mad Monster Expo is the launchpad for Killhouse Films’ debut feature.