Alejandro Hidalgo to Direct Horror Film 'The Hungry One'

The upcoming supernatural horror film 'The Hungry One' brings together an international team of experienced filmmakers, anchored by director Alejandro Hidalgo. Known globally for his record-breaking Venezuelan horror film 'The House at the End of Time' and the 2021 global hit 'The Exorcism of God,' Hidalgo is stepping into a culturally rich Southeast Asian setting for his next project. The film explores the atmospheric and eerie traditions of the Hungry Ghost Festival in Malaysia.

The narrative centers on Emily, an American woman who travels with her Chinese Malaysian husband, Simon, and their young son, Louis. The family arrives to spend the summer at Simon's ancestral family mansion, a visit that unfortunately coincides with the 15-day Hungry Ghost Festival. According to local folklore and cultural traditions, this period is when the gates of the underworld swing open, allowing the dead to freely mingle with the living.

During their stay, Emily becomes the primary target of escalating and terrifying encounters with a vengeful supernatural presence desperately trying to cross over into the realm of the living. To protect her loved ones and survive the ordeal, she must uncover and investigate the dark, hidden past of the family mansion before the entity consumes her family entirely.

Filmmaker and entrepreneur Justin Leong initiated the project through Los Angeles-based Lightning Pictures, drawing deep inspiration from his own family's traditions and upbringing within Malaysian-Chinese culture. Leong noted that the vivid visuals of the festival, including ritualistic fires, elaborate offerings, and rich mythology, provide a stunning backdrop that feels tailor-made for the horror genre, offering audiences a fresh and mysterious cinematic world.

The creative lineup behind the film features notable industry talent. Academy Award winner Harrison Allen, who secured an Oscar this year for the Netflix live-action short 'The Singers,' joins the production team alongside Sundance and Toronto fellow Thomas Percy Kim. Screenwriter Justin Parker, recognized for his work on HBO's Emmy-nominated limited series 'Station Eleven,' has also contributed to shaping the narrative development.

Currently in pre-production, the creative team is working diligently to finalize the remaining segments of the film's financing. Abnormal Studios, a subsidiary of Westec Media Limited, is handling global sales and introducing the title at the Busan International Film Festival market. Meanwhile, regional distribution is already underway, with Clover Films locking down rights across key Southeast Asian territories, pointing to strong early commercial interest in the project.