Local filmmakers Britt Bankhead and Grace Patterson will celebrate the upcoming release of their supernatural thriller The Town That Takes with an exclusive preview screening, red carpet event, and post-screening Q&A at the Angelika Film Center on Tuesday, July 7.
Rooted in the haunting American legend of “CROATOAN” and the disappearance of the Roanoke Colony, The Town That Takes is a character-driven supernatural horror thriller that explores grief, redemption, and the terrifying consequences of confronting the unknown.
SYNOPSIS
Dean Richardson, a troubled Army veteran living alone in Georgia, travels to North Carolina after the sudden death of his ex-wife. Following the funeral, he brings his estranged twelve-year-old son, Wyatt, home with him in hopes of rebuilding their fractured relationship.
Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they stop in a small backwoods town haunted by whispers surrounding the mysterious word “CROATOAN.” After encountering unsettling locals and witnessing increasingly strange events, Dean finds himself caught in a growing nightmare when a motel clerk is found brutally murdered—and he becomes the prime suspect.
As veteran Detective Douglas O’Shea and rookie Detective St. Clair investigate a series of unexplained deaths connected to the area, evidence begins pointing to something far more sinister than a simple murder case.
Inspired by the enduring American legend of Croatoan, The Town That Takes is a supernatural horror thriller about grief, redemption, and the terrifying consequences of confronting the unknown.
THE MAKING OF THE TOWN THAT TAKES
The film originated from filmmaker Britt Bankhead’s fascination with American folklore and unexplained historical mysteries. Drawing inspiration from the legend of Croatoan and the disappearance of the Roanoke Colony, Bankhead developed a story that blends supernatural horror with a deeply personal father-and-son journey.
Produced independently through Bankhead Productions, the film brings together a cast and crew committed to delivering a grounded, character-focused thriller. Rather than relying solely on jump scares or spectacle, the filmmakers emphasize atmosphere, tension, and emotional stakes.
Shot across evocative locations in the American South, The Town That Takes captures a sense of isolation and unease while gradually introducing elements of myth and terror. The result is a suspenseful, emotionally driven horror film that doubles as a meditation on loss, family, and redemption.
CREDITS
Director: Britt Bankhead
Writers: Britt Bankhead, Jon Blaze
Executive Producers: Britt Bankhead, Grace Patterson, Gabriella Hainline
Editor: Jon Blaze
Cinematographer: Jon Blaze
Composer: Edward Antonio
Cast: Britt Bankhead, Grace Patterson, Miles Mussenden, Mike Markoff, Nico Tirozzi, Marie Wetherell, Paul Kolker, Van Quattro
