Havre de Grace native Ben Getz is bringing his latest film, a horror-comedy shot in Churchville, back to his hometown this weekend for a special premiere. “Gothic Slayers,” described as a “blend of witty humor, nostalgic vibes, and eye-catching 8-bit animation,” will appear on the big screen Saturday night at The State Theater starting at 7:30 p.m.
Co-written by Getz, 33, who now lives in New York, and his co-star Dylan Eshbaugh, the film was shot in Churchville. The movie follows “two mini-golf employees whose slacker lifestyle is upended when a demonic cult invades their town. As chaos ensues, the duo must rise to the challenge and save their community from destruction.”
“When my writing partner and I started developing ‘Gothic Slayers,’ I knew this was the story that would bring me home,” Getz said in a news release. “I didn’t just want to shoot a movie in Maryland — I wanted to celebrate the places that shaped my youth. Instead of forcing the town to fit the script, we shaped the script around the town.
“What had once been the backdrop of my childhood became the perfect setting for a story about friendship, growing up and finding purpose — even if that purpose happens to be fighting demons,” he added.
Getz has appeared in television series such as “Blue Bloods,” “You” and “Invasion.” His career has taken him across the country, including Hollywood, but he envisioned “Gothic Slayers” as a homecoming project in Harford County — allowing him to act in familiar spots from his childhood, like the Churchville Golf Center and the Arctic Circle.
“After moving to New York to pursue acting, I always carried memories of home with me — summer days spent playing mini golf at Churchville Golf Center, late-night ice cream runs to the Arctic Circle and the quirky charm that makes small-town Maryland so special,” Getz said Wednesday.
Getz’s family played a significant role in helping produce the film, according to the news release. His mother designed costumes, while his father, a retired architect, designed and built the sets. His sister, also a New York-based actor, even has a role.
After its premiere in Hollywood on Feb. 11, “Gothic Slayers” became available on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube. Its Maryland screening debut will be Saturday.
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