The Rule of Jenny Pen
U.S. Theatrical Releases | Mar 7, 2025
IFC Films, Light in the Dark Productions, Shudder
Arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush) suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a retirement home. Resistant to the staff and distant from his friendly roommate, Mortensen soon clashes with seemingly gentle resident Dave Crealy (John Lithgow) who secretly terrorizes the home with a sadistic game called “The Rule of Jenny Pen” while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. What begins as childish torment quickly escalates into far more sinister and disturbing incidents. When Mortensen’s pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy’s reign of terror.
James Ashcroft directs The Rule of Jenny Pen, which also stars Nathaniel Lees, Maaka Pohatu, Thomas Sainsbury, Ian Mune, Bruce Phillips, Holly Shanahan, Irene Wood, George Henare, Yvette Parsons, Semu Filipo and Paolo Rotondo.