The latest trailer has been revealed for The Rule of Jenny Pen. The horror movie sees legendary talent John Lithgow step into a villainous role to play a psychopathic nursing home resident who tortures other residents with the help of a toy puppet. In addition to Lithgow, the James Ashcroft-directed horror flick features a leading cast including Geoffrey Rush, Thomas Sainsbury, Nathaniel Lees, and Ian Mune. The Rule of Jenny Pen‘s early reviews have been positive, and it won Best Director and Best Actor (for Rush) at Fantastic Fest in 2024.

Now, IFC Films has released a new trailer for The Rule of Jenny Pen. The trailer begins with Lithgow’s character giving a performance to other nursing home residents, singing a jaunty tune while holding a baby doll puppet. Rush’s character and some of the other residents grow wary of Lithgow’s character, warning each other to steer clear of him. As the scene continues on, things get more ominous. Check out the video below:

What This Trailer Means For The Rule Of Jenny Pen

The Marketing Highlights Stephen King’s Review

As in a typical preview, the latest The Rule of Jenny Pen trailer includes several reviews that hype up the film. This horror trailer is unique, however, in that it can boast glowing words from a notable name within the genre: Stephen King. About a minute into the trailer, onscreen text reveals that King called the Lithgow-led film “One of the best movies [he’s] seen this year.” King originally provided this feedback back in September, during a year that boasted other well-regarded horror features such as Longlegs and Late Night with the Devil.

This review could be a clever marketing tool for The Rule of Jenny Pen, as King’s endorsement is likely to attract horror fans. King is always fairly vocal about adaptations of his own work and shares his opinions freely, so it’s always a promising sign when he issues a rave review for something he has no hand in. The trailer reveals some of Jenny Pen‘s most exciting attributes, including its play with sound and the performances of its two leads.

Our Take On The Rule Of Jenny Pen Trailer

Geoffrey Rush’s Character Is Fascinating

One of the most fascinating story elements in the Rule of Jenny Pen trailer is how it introduces the challenges faced by Rush’s character. Even while being terrorized by Lithgow, he struggles with his lack of mobility, creating an interesting dynamic. I think this is really emblematic of how well Ashcroft’s film works with its older subjects and the age-related issues they face. It will be interesting to see how The Rule of Jenny Pen performs when it hits theaters on March 7 and streaming on March 28.

Source: IFC Films