Los Angeles has no shortage of dark chapters in its history, and the Night Stalker era remains one of the most frightening. That period of fear is helping inspire DEAD OF NIGHT, a new independent horror-thriller heading to theaters next month, courtesy of Level 33 Entertainment.
Directed by Derek Sulek, DEAD OF NIGHT will open theatrically at AMC Theatres on November 13, 2026, with a story that brings a quiet town to its breaking point as a series of brutal murders leaves residents desperate for answers. The film was made in Los Angeles and draws, in part, from the fear that gripped the city during the Night Stalker killings.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “DEAD OF NIGHT” BELOW
Official Synopsis: The story takes place in Elmwood Heights, where the discovery of a teenage girl’s savagely mutilated body sends shockwaves through the community. With fear spreading and the murders continuing, the newly elected mayor tries to reassure residents by organizing a neighborhood watch. Sheriff Weaver, played by Dermot Mulroney (MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING, ABOUT SCHMIDT), is tasked with finding the killer before the town descends further into panic.
His daughter Kelly, played by Kirrilee Berger (UNSUNG HERO), suspects there may be something more sinister behind the killings. As she becomes increasingly determined to uncover the murderer’s motives, the investigation takes on a personal urgency, with the possibility of another victim hanging over the town.
Joining Mulroney and Berger are Scott Grimes (TED, OPPENHEIMER) and Jake Busey (STRANGER THINGS, RUST). Professional wrestling legend, musician, and actor Chris Jericho, whose acting credits include TERRIFIER 2 and TERRIFIER 3, serves as an executive producer.
Sulek directed the film from a screenplay co-written with Eric Durham. The production was filmed in Los Angeles under Fade to Black Films, in association with ZMA Films, with Oren Kamara, Sulek, and Dan Sheldon producing.
The filmmakers say the city itself played an important role in shaping the movie’s atmosphere. In a statement, the creative team explained,
“Dead of Night was inspired in part by the fear that gripped Los Angeles during the Night Stalker era, so making the film here gave it an authenticity we couldn’t manufacture somewhere else. We’re incredibly proud of the local cast and crew who brought it to life and are excited to now bring an independent, LA-made horror film to audiences across the country.”
That local connection gives DEAD OF NIGHT an added point of interest for horror fans familiar with Los Angeles’ darker history. Rather than simply using a frightening real-world chapter as a reference, the filmmakers brought the production to the city that helped inspire it, pairing that influence with a fictional murder mystery.
Level 33 Entertainment President and CEO Andreas Olavarria also shared his enthusiasm for the release, saying,
“We are truly excited to be working with the talented team at Fade to Black Films and can’t wait to share this edge-of-your-seat thriller with theatrical audiences across the US and Canada this November.”
For now, the theatrical release is the main event on the calendar. DEAD OF NIGHT arrives at AMC Theatres on November 13, 2026, with Level 33 Entertainment handling its U.S. and Canadian distribution. No additional release-related events or screenings have been announced in the details provided.
