New Horror Movie Penny Lane Is Dead Is Like Puberty Blues but Scarier

It is from ABC Arts.

The topic is Movies.

The article was published on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at 4:30 am.

Kat, played by Sophia Wright-Mendelson, is a mean cousin in the movie Penny Lane Is Dead.

This article talks about sexual assault, so be careful.

Mia'Kate Russell is the director of the new horror movie Penny Lane Is Dead. She has worked with special effects for a long time.

Russell says she loves horror and special effects. She is not sure which one she liked first.

When Russell started her career, there were not many people doing special effects. She worked with body castings and silicone.

Russell thinks special effects are very creative and fun. She cannot imagine doing anything else.

Mia'Kate Russell is the writer and director of Penny Lane Is Dead.

The movie Penny Lane Is Dead is very violent.

The movie is like a mix of Puberty Blues and Wake in Fright, but much scarier.

The main character, Penny, is a normal and confident girl. She and her friends go to a beach house to celebrate.

Toni, Penny, and Amy have a fun night, but it changes when Penny's cousin Kat arrives.

Kat brings her boyfriend and his friends to the party. They cause trouble and the night becomes deadly.

As the story unfolds, it is hard to say if Kat is a bad person or a victim.

Russell says Kat is a victim of herself. She makes bad choices and blames others.

Kat is jealous of her cousin Penny. Penny would have been friends with Kat if Kat had made different choices.

Kat is influenced by her boyfriend and makes bad decisions.

Russell is happy to have a full movie to show her special effects. She also wants to tell a queer love story.

Russell grew up in a gay household and identifies as queer. She wanted to include a queer story in her movie.

When Russell was growing up, there were not many queer stories in movies.

Russell wanted to put a queer love story in her movie. She thinks it is a great idea.

Russell asks where the line is in horror movies.

There is a scene in the movie that is hard for audiences to watch.

The scene shows Kat's boyfriend sexually assaulting Penny, but it is not shown directly.

Toni and Penny's future is in danger because of Kat's jealousy.

Russell says the sexual assault scene reminds her of her teenage years. Back then, people did not call it sexual assault.

Russell is happy to see her movie in cinemas. She is proud of what she has achieved.

Russell talks to her girlfriend about their movies. They are both proud of each other.

Russell is already thinking about her next project. She likes the horror movies being made in Australia.

Russell wants Australian filmmakers to have more freedom to make the movies they want.

Russell says horror movies are nothing compared to real-life news.

The movie Penny Lane Is Dead is in Australian cinemas from July 23.

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