2011 Remains
A freak accident turns a bulk of the world’s population into lethal flesh-eating zombies. A small and desperate group of uninfected human survivors take refuge in a vacant casino in Reno, Nevada. Meanwhile, the undead outside become smarter, stronger, and more aggressive with each passing day.
Many scenes were filmed in Franklin Square and downtown Norwich. Other locations included Mystic, Stonington, and Rocky Hill.
GENRE: horror, zombie
STARS: Grant Bowler, Evalena Marie
2012 Dead Souls
Johnny Petrie learns on his 18th birthday that he was adopted after inheriting a farm in Maine. Eager to start a new life, Johnny leaves home so he can began afresh in this “new” dwelling. However, Johnny soon discovers that the farm, which has been abandoned for eighteen years since his natural family died, harbors a horrifying history about the deaths of said natural family.
Filmed in Norwich, Putnum, Canterbury, and Windham Hospital.
GENRE: horror, eerie
STARS: Jesse James, Magda Apanowicz
2014 Wishin’ and Hopin’
Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by award-winning author Wally Lamb, Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a wise-and-witty holiday tale that celebrates where we’ve been-and how far we’ve come. In the small town of Three Rivers, Connecticut [Norwich], we go straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School with Felix Funicello, a Catholic-school fifth-grader in 1964, whose claim to fame is his cousin Annette Funicello, the famous Mouseketeer.
Filmed at Norwich Free Academy, and at Norwich’s former Christ Episcopal Church, and Willimantic Connecticut.
Several tidbits of trivia about the movie
No Catholic church was readily available for filming, so Norwich’s Christ Episcopal Church was made to look like a Catholic church. The confessional scene, the stage, and the pageant were all filmed at the church.
The film’s author, Wally Lamb, collaborated with the crew through the entire production, and makes a cameo as the janitor in the opening scene.
The Funicello house was Wally Lamb’s office for several years, and the parents’ bedroom, is where he wrote the novel. The late owner of the property is referenced throughout the house as a tribute.
NOTE: It is unknown where the full-length version of this movie is available to be viewed. If you know, please send an email to Placemark@IconicNorwich.org
GENRE: comedy, Christmas
STARS: Wyatt Ralff, Quinn McColgan
2015 A Fatal Obsession
A mother and teen daughter believe they have at last found safe refuge from their abusive husband and father, Michael, who, enraged by their escape, will do anything to see them.
This movie was filmed in Norwich, Mystic, and Groton Connecticut
FUN FACT: A Fatal Obsession was filmed through a record temperature blizzard which transformed into a heavy rain storm in the first week and a half of January 2014 in Mystic, CT. The crew was nearly stranded at the first location during a pre-lighting on January 2nd. Temperatures during shooting reached -33 degrees below freezing.
GENRE: thriller, suspense
STARS: Tracy Nelson, Eric Roberts
2015 The Murder Pact
Revolves around four friends at a prestigious university whose promising futures are jeopardized when they become connected to the accidental death of a classmate. When another student says she knows about their involvement, the friends panic and start to plot her murder.
The movie is also known as “Tell Tale Lies.”
Movie was filmed in Norwich, Pomfret, New London, and Manchester Ct.
GENRE: mystery, thriller
STARS: Alexa PenaVega, John Heard
2016 Sorority Nightmare
Following the death of her sister, Sarah joins their mother’s former sorority, Psi Kappa Omega, in an attempt to cope. Presided over by Daisy, the chapter’s dazzling president, Psi Kap’s are queens on campus. The girls maintain saintly appearances while promoting cutthroat seduction and destruction behind the scenes.
Filmed in Norwich at the Norwich Free Academy and the Teel House.
FUN FACT: The film was originally named, “Dark Pledge.” Later, the name was changed to “Twisted Sisters” and then finally to “Sorority Nightmare.”
GENRE: suspense, manipulation
STARS: Sierra McCormick, Cassidy Gifford