Upon release in 1982, The Entity met with quite a bit of controversy.
Based on Frank De Felitta’s 1978 novel of the same name, the film tells the story of a Los Angeles housewife suddenly subject to sexual attacks by an unseen force.
Seemingly lost in the controversy was the detail that The Entity was based on a true story. Doris Bither was a single mother of four, who sought the help of a plethora of parapsychologists when beset by spiritual attacks of a sexual nature.
As documented in the film, despite their best efforts, Doris Bither remained haunted until her death. Although The Entity story has been subject to numerous claims of hoaxing, it’s undeniable that the case fascinated and terrified many.
Now, the story is about to be re-told in a brand-new motion picture.
Entity within will star Killing Me Softly and Scream 2 actress Heather Graham. Taking place in Los Angeles in 1974, Entity Within will act as a faithful retelling of the Bither case, vetoing the over-the-top finale of the 1982 film.
Mimi Rogers, Morgan Peter Brown, and Kevin Keppy star alongside Graham, although their roles remain undisclosed.
Nick Simon of The Girl in the Photographs directs, from a script by Saw IV scribe Thomas Fenton. Steven Schneider will produce, having previously served on notable supernatural horror films including Paranormal Activity and Insidious.
GVN Releasing will handle US distribution for Entity Within, whilst Alliance Media are currently repping the film at Cannes, hoping for international distribution.
Of Entity Within, GVN had the following to say in a statement:
“We’re thrilled to be working with Heather Graham again and partnering with Nick Simon to bring Entity Within to Cannes. This is a high-concept, emotionally resonant horror film that we’re excited to share with international buyers.”
We’ll keep an eye on this one and report any further developments.
