TERROR FILMS RELEASING Blends True Crime & Terror in “TED BUNNY” (2026)

Feb 11

True crime and horror movies share a strange kind of intimacy. Mainly because both are obsessed with the same uncomfortable question, “How far can a human being fall before they stop feeling human at all”? While true-crime documentaries chase the facts and timelines, horror movies chase the emotional wreckage left behind. They start turning real-world atrocities into nightmares that explore guilt, obsession, and the fragile line between curiosity and voyeurism. When filmmakers draw from infamous cases, they are not just borrowing shock value, they are tapping into our collective fear of the ordinary turning monstrous, of neighbors and strangers hiding unspeakable secrets behind everyday smiles. That tension between reality and imagination is where some of the most unsettling and unforgettable horror stories are born. Could this be why most horror fans are true-crime enthusiasts?

I recently had a chance to enjoy the true-crime inspired horror movie “Ted Bunny,” from Terror Films Releasing and the twisted minds of producer Jeff Miller and writer/director Michael Fredianelli. It is exactly the kind of bizarre, risky concept that makes indie horror so exciting (if you couldn’t tell that already from the movie poster art). The movie imagines the illegitimate son of Ted Bundy, raised in isolation around rabbits and a mother who is ashamed of his existence. After living life the way he does, he is soon set free and snaps into a killing spree when a documentary crew arrives to dig into his past. On paper it sounds absurd, but in execution it becomes something oddly emotional, gruesome, and surprisingly thoughtful. Watching it, I was impressed by how confidently the movie walks the line between grindhouse slasher chaos and a character-driven origin story that actually wants you to feel something for its killer.

MY EXPERIENCE DOWN THE BLOOD-FUELED RABBIT HOLE:

One of the biggest reasons that emotional hook works is Dee Wallace, who delivers an amazing and captivating performance as Catherine. Wallace has always been a horror icon (as we know from “Cujo” and even some Rob Zombie movies), but what continues to impress me is how she never coasts on that legacy. She brings warmth, pain, and quiet desperation to Catherine, grounding the movie in real human tragedy. Even when the story veers into outrageous territory, her performance keeps it tethered to something authentic. You can feel decades of acting experience in every look and line she delivers, and she remains proof that true genre royalty never phones it in.

On the other side of the emotional spectrum is Diana Roman as Sasha, the movies’s protagonist and final girl. She is also one who absolutely nails the complicated journey her character takes. I loved how Sasha moves between empathy and determination with such natural ease. Her scenes with Wallace are tender and layered, making their connection feel genuine rather than forced. At the same time, Roman sells Sasha’s growing resolve to uncover what really happened to her friends, turning her into a character you actively root for rather than just watch survive. When the story hits its twist ending and Sasha’s arc takes a sharp, unexpected turn, Roman makes it feel earned, not gimmicky, which is no small feat.

Then there is Trent Avvenire as Theodore, aka Ted Bunny himself. I have to give him and the costume designers serious praise for creating such a memorable slasher icon. The look is ridiculous in the best possible way: playful, creepy, and deadly all at once. Ted Bunny gives off major Jason Voorhees vibes if Jason were way too into Easter, and that visual alone makes him instantly recognizable. Avvenire plays him with just enough tragic awkwardness to make him weirdly pitiable, which lines up perfectly with Fredianelli’s goal of crafting a killer we can almost care for while he’s doing truly awful things. There is a child-like way about him, but when things get terrifying, he flips the switch from childish to cold-blooded killer with ease. Not to mention the kills he provides in this movie are pretty great!

Speaking of Fredianelli, his directing here is confident, stylish, and clearly fueled by a love of old-school horror. “Ted Bunny” proudly leans into an ’80s slasher vibe, from the pacing to the gleefully nasty kills, but it never feels lazy or derivative. There’s a strong sense of control behind the camera, especially in how he balances the absurdity of the premise with genuine character moments. The writing by Fredianelli and Maralynn Adams deserves just as much credit. Together they create dialogue that feels human and purposeful, while also delivering the kind of outrageous situations and dark humor that slasher fans crave.

I also have to give Terror Films Releasing a huge shout-out for championing something this offbeat. It would have been easy to play it safe, but instead they leaned into a story that is strange, provocative, and uniquely their own. That willingness to highlight a movie like “Ted Bunny” is exactly why the indie horror scene continues to thrive, and everyone involved, from the producers to the crew behind the scenes, deserves praise for bringing this twisted little nightmare to life.

In the end, “Ted Bunny” is a bloody, bizarre, and surprisingly enjoyable ride that proves there are still fresh ways to remix true-crime horror. Whether you come for the thrills, chills or bloody kills, or the sheer audacity of the concept, there is a lot here to enjoy. You can catch the “Ted Bunny” when it premieres on Friday, February 13th, 2026, across multiple platforms including Chilling, Scare Network TV, Kings of Horror, Watch Movies Now, Shocks & Docs, and Terror Films Releasing’s official AVOD YouTube channel. If you love horror that takes big swings and isn’t afraid to get weird, this is one twisted Easter egg hunt you won’t want to miss.

Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the "I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!

Christopher James

Christopher is a stand-up comedian and horror movie specialist who's reviewed everything from blood-soaked indie gems to big studio screamfests. A devoted fan of found footage horror and 80’s to current slashers. He’s known for crafting sharp, entertaining reviews that have earned praise from fans and filmmakers alike, including for hits like Terror Films Releasing’s “Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor” and “Hell House LLC: Lineage.” As host of the “I Love Horror” podcast, Christopher dives headfirst into the genre’s creepiest corners, always bringing a mix of film savvy, dry humor, and just the right amount of dread.