When you think of the Florida of the 1970s, images of sun-drenched beaches, lazy afternoons, and orange groves may come to mind. But The Man in the White Van, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment’s upcoming horror-thriller, forces you to rethink the sun-soaked tranquility of the Sunshine State. This is a film that turns the heat of a seemingly idyllic town into the sweat-inducing dread of a nightmare, where terror lurks behind every corner.
Set against the pastel-hued backdrop of 1974 Florida, The Man in the White Van pulls you deep into a world of fear and uncertainty. Young Annie Williams (played by Madison Wolfe, The Conjuring 2, I Kill Giants) is a spirited teen with an overactive imagination—at least, that’s what her parents think. But when she starts to notice a mysterious man in a white van watching her, her idyllic world begins to unravel. Her warnings are dismissed as the wild fears of a teenager. But this Halloween, Annie’s worst nightmares will come to life, plunging her into a terrifying race for survival.
In a town where everyone seems to mind their own business, the reality of a predator lurking just beyond the reach of the law is all too real. The film takes inspiration from a series of true crimes that terrorized the southern states, giving this film a chilling authenticity that amps up the tension to unbearable levels.
A deeply unsettling thriller, The Man in the White Van focus not just on the chase but also on the terrifying breakdown of a young girl’s reality, as her perception of safety and normalcy begins to twist in the face of an unseen menace.
Supported by a stellar cast that includes Ali Larter (Final Destination, Legally Blonde) and Sean Astin (The Goonies, “Stranger Things”, The Lord of the Rings), the film proves to be much more than your average horror-thriller. It’s a gut-wrenching exploration of fear, isolation, and survival.
Empire’s Kim Newman has already praised the film as “terrifically suspenseful,” and it’s easy to see why based on the trailer below.
The Man In The White Van will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital from 29th September and you can pre-order copies HERE now.
