Just when it seemed like the horror genre had nothing new to offer, “Skinamarink” appeared and changed all the rules. The 2022 supernatural flick departed from a traditional narrative, yet managed to captivate viewers with its cryptic camerawork and the eerie setting of a house without doors or windows.
The inspiration for the movie came from director Kyle Edward Ball’s YouTube project, a channel called Bitesized Nightmares, where he created short films based on his subscribers’ nightmares. At some point, he noticed that a recurring theme involved being a child unable to find one’s parents in their home. Recognizing the universal appeal of this fear, he set out to bring it to the big screen.
“Skinamarink” became one of the biggest revelations of 2023, earning $2.1 million against a modest budget of $15,000, and found its way onto streaming platforms like Shudder and Mubi. Now, Ball is gearing up for his next project. Learn all about it!
All that is known so far about ‘The Land of Nod’
According to Variety, Ball is working on “The Land of Nod,” a film he will both write and direct, much like his acclaimed 2022 release. While details on the plot or release date are yet to be announced, horror fans are thrilled to learn that A24 has secured the distribution rights!
“Skinamarink”. (Source: IMDb)
Since Ari Aster released “Midsommar” and “Hereditary” under the A24 banner, the entertainment company has become a powerhouse in the genre, ensuring that whatever is produced under their wing has the potential to become a new classic. Although some of their recent horror releases have received mixed reviews, their legacy of delivering high-quality content remains strong.
Fans of Ball, who have followed his interviews closely, point to a 2022 conversation with Variety where he mentioned two upcoming ideas: one inspired by the legend of the Pied Piper, the German rat catcher who lured rats away with his magical pipe, and another involving three strangers who all dream of the same house. Whether “The Land of Nod” is based on either of these concepts, only time will tell!
Ball’s entry into the commercial circuit has sparked curiosity about how his films will evolve. Will A24 allow him to retain his enigmatic filmmaking style, or will he be forced to create in a more conventional way? Although the distributor has recently leaned towards classic filmmaking approaches, anything is possible.
