Full Breakdown
River Makes a Splash at TIFF Midnight Madness
By Drooid · · How we work
Opening Night Premiere
On September 11, 2026, Joshua Giuliano’s feature debut *River* opened the Midnight Madness programme of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The programme began the previous day, September 10, and the film served as the opening-night selection.
Production Background
*River* evolved from Giuliano’s 2018 short In Sound, We Live Forever and was first announced at the 2025 American Film Market. The project took six years to complete, a period Giuliano described as a “labor of love.” The film secured a Shudder Original label and a theatrical deal with Independent Film Company.
Key Cast and Crew
- Joshua Giuliano – writer-director, debut feature.
- Jane Levy – younger sister.
- Jessica Rothe – estranged older sister.
- Max Mattern – younger brother.
- Dane DiLiegro – faceless killer.
- Nicholas Matthews – cinematographer.
- Nicholas Lazo – Shudder VP of development, who called Giuliano a “striking new voice in horror.”
Official Statements & Responses
Shudder’s Nicholas Lazo described Giuliano as a “striking new voice in horror.” Producers Steven Schneider and Nick Antosca were cited as part of the production team.
Critical Reception
Reviews note the film’s visual craft and strong performances by Levy and Rothe. *The Guardian* found the pacing uneven and the antagonist under-developed, while *TheWrap* praised the visceral execution and genre-throwback energy. Both outlets agree the sibling dynamic offers a rarer emotional focus within slasher conventions.
Data & Statistics
- Runtime: 92 minutes.
- Killer’s height: 6 ft 8 in.
- Production timeline: six years from short to feature.
Timeline
- 2018 – Giuliano creates short *In Sound, We Live Forever*.
- 2025 – Feature announced at American Film Market.
- September 10, 2026 – TIFF Midnight Madness programme begins.
- September 11, 2026 – *River* opens the programme.
- September 17, 2026 (scheduled) – U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin.
What’s Next
After its Toronto debut, *River* is slated for a U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest beginning September 17, 2026. Independent Film Company will handle the theatrical release, and Shudder will stream the film thereafter; specific release dates have not yet been announced.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wanted to make the kind of slasher film that I wanted to see,” — Joshua Giuliano, director
- “RIVER was six years in the making, a labor of love that culminated in the most rewarding experience of my life,” — Joshua Giuliano, director
- “I’m like a horse that needs to be run. When a director blows the whistle, here I go,” — Jane Levy, actress
