Audiences are eagerly anticipating the early October premiere of Shelley Duvall's poignant final cinematic offering, 'The Forest Hills.' The beloved actress, who passed away in July at the age of 75 due to complications stemming from diabetes, left behind a haunting and memorable performance in her swan song. The trailer for this independent horror masterpiece debuted on September 13th, marking the culmination of over two decades since Duvall last graced the silver screen in 'Manna from Heaven' (2002).
'The Forest Hills,' helmed by the talented Scott Goldberg, weaves a tale of madness and supernatural terror centered around Rico (portrayed by Chiko Mendez), the troubled son of Duvall's character. Haunted by ancient, dark secrets and nightmarish visions of transforming into a werewolf, Rico's descent into madness unfolds amidst the eerie backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. As Rico grapples with his fraying relationship with his mother, the film delves into the depths of psychological terror.
Goldberg, eager to collaborate with the Hollywood legend, reached out to Duvall in 2023, inviting her to lend her inimitable talent to a supporting role. "Shelley is a Hollywood icon, and I'm thrilled that she had the chance to showcase her enduring brilliance," Goldberg reminisced to PEOPLE last year.
Despite her hiatus from acting, Duvall embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm, filming her scenes remotely from her Texas home under Goldberg's Zoom-guided direction. "Acting again—it's pure joy. It fills your life with richness," Duvall expressed to PEOPLE at the time, her love for the craft shining through. "It's a delight to be back," she added in a film interview, her passion for acting undiminished. "I cherish this work. It has the power to lift you out of any darkness."
Prior to her passing, Duvall, best known for her iconic role in 'The Shining,' revealed to the New York Times that her motivation to join 'The Forest Hills' stemmed from a simple desire: "I wanted to act again." She humorously recounted, "And then this persistent gentleman kept calling, and before I knew it, I was part of it."
After retiring from acting following 'Manna from Heaven,' Duvall's 2016 appearance on 'Dr. Phil' sparked controversy, with many criticizing it as an exploitation of her mental health struggles. However, in 2021, she expressed regret over the episode to The Hollywood Reporter.
Following Duvall's tragic passing, Goldberg shared his heartfelt tribute with PEOPLE, reflecting on the actress's indelible legacy. "Shelley leaves behind a remarkable footprint that will be deeply missed by countless people, including myself," he said. "I am proud of her resilience in overcoming adversity to return to acting and will forever cherish her friendship and kindness."
'The Forest Hills' will have a limited theatrical release commencing on October 4th, offering audiences a poignant and chilling testament to the enduring talent of Shelley Duvall.
