New Photo And Official Synopsis Revealed For 'Stake Land'

IFC Midnight and Dark Sky Films have released a new image and official plot synopsis for Stake Land, one of my favorite films from Fantastic Fest 2010. The movie is a combination of Children of Men. 28 Days Later, The Road, and Y: The Last Man, set in the not too far future, in a post apocalyptic world overrun by vampires. Somewhat episodic, the movie was made on an incredible low budget but they were somehow able to create a world which feels more expansive than most Hollywood films of the same genre. Hit the jump to see a new photo from the film, followed by an official plot synopsis.

New photo:

And here is the official movie synopsis:

America is a lost nation. When an epidemic of vampirism strikes, humans find themselves on the run from vicious, feral beasts. Cities are tombs and survivors cling together in rural pockets, fearful of nightfall. When his family is slaughtered, young Martin (Gossip Girl's Connor Paolo) is taken under the wing of a grizzled, wayward hunter (In the Cut's Nick Damici) whose new prey are the undead.

Simply known as Mister, the vampire stalker takes Martin on a journey through the locked-down towns of America's heartland, searching for a better place while taking down any bloodsuckers that cross their path. Along the way they recruit fellow travellers, including a nun (Kelly McGillis) who is caught in a crisis of faith when her followers turn into ravenous beasts. This ragtag family unit cautiously moves north, avoiding major thoroughfares that have been seized by The Brethren, a fundamentalist militia headed by Jebedia Loven (Tony award-winning actor Michael Cerveris) that interprets the plague as the Lord's work.

Director Jim Mickle first grabbed the attention of horror film fans with his zombie-rat thriller Mulberry Street, in which Damici also starred and served as co-writer. They have teamed up again to deliver an even darker and bloodier shocker. Drawing on the post-apocalyptic frenzy described by Richard Matheson (author of the novel I Am Legend) and George Romero, Stake Land is a road movie with fangs and a phantasmagoric journey. Stake Land also stars horror movie icon Danielle Harris (from the upcoming Hatchet II) and was produced by indie horror producer-writer-director Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter).

FESTIVALS / ACCOLADES:

  • Winner, Midnight Madness Audience Award: 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
  • Official Selection: Fantastic Fest 2010
  • Official Selection: Sitges 2010
  • Official Selection: Lincoln Center Scary Movie Series 2010
  • Stake Land hits theaters on April 22nd 2011.