From ‘Willy’s Wonderland’ to FrightFest: Kevin Lewis Returns with Folkloric Horror in ‘Pig Hill’
From the mind behind cult hit Willy’s Wonderland, director Kevin Lewis returns with a gruesome new horror vision set to debut at the world-renowned genre film festival.
Pig Hill, the blood-soaked new nightmare from director Kevin Lewis, is set to make its World Premiere at FrightFest 2025 on August 23rd. Presented by Empty Jug Productions in association with Concourse Media, the film is an adaptation of Nancy Williams’ haunting novel of the same name, and it promises to drag audiences into the twisted shadows of rural Pennsylvania folklore.
Starring Rainey Qualley (Shut In), Shane West (Salem), and Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead), Pig Hill unearths a local legend rooted in blood, myth, and psychological terror. Shot on location in Meadville, Pennsylvania — the actual setting of the disturbing urban legend — the film centers on Carrie (Qualley), a woman obsessed with a rash of unexplained disappearances in the area. Her investigation leads her deep into the terrifying lore of the so-called “pig people,” creatures whispered about for generations. Alongside her skeptical new friend Andy (West) and her concerned brother Chris (Fernandez), Carrie’s journey turns into a desperate and gory fight for survival as she uncovers truths more terrifying than legend.
“A Punk-Rock Fever Mind Trip”
Director Kevin Lewis describes Pig Hill as “a poignant story of obsession, love, and the terrible consequences of what happens when reality and fantasy blur.” He adds, “It’s a punk-rock fever mind trip of a movie, and there’s no better audience to premiere this for than FrightFest — the beating heart of genre cinema.”
Lewis, known for his outrageous, no-holds-barred style, burst into the horror scene with Willy’s Wonderland in 2021, where Nicolas Cage battled homicidal animatronics in a derelict pizza parlor. Since then, Lewis has continued building his filmography of genre fare with The Accursed, Oak, and now, Pig Hill, which is already being billed as one of FrightFest 2025’s most anticipated titles.
Urban Legend Reborn
At its core, Pig Hill is a horror tale of paranoia and survival, but it’s also a deep dive into the psychological toll of obsession. The lore of the “pig people” — who are grotesque, malformed figures said to roam the woods and abduct unsuspecting victims — serves as both the mythic and literal engine driving the film’s creeping dread.
As the tenth woman vanishes from the town, Carrie’s descent into the dark history of Pig Hill becomes increasingly unhinged. Is it all in her head? Or are these legends horrifically real?
FrightFest: The Perfect Home
Now in its 25th year, FrightFest has earned its reputation as the UK’s premier horror film festival. Described by Guillermo del Toro as “The Woodstock of Gore”, FrightFest has long been the launching pad for horror’s most daring voices. With Pig Hill among the slate, this year’s festival promises another blood-drenched celebration of fear.
Pig Hill premieres August 23rd, 2025, at FrightFest. For more information, visit: frightfest.co.uk
Watch the trailer. Face the myth. Survive the hill.
