A new Hollywood horror movie with deep Turlock connections is in theaters – including here at the Regal – just in time for Halloween.
“Breeder,” the provocative thriller from writer-director Alex Goyette features Turlock native Dot-Marie Jones (who grew up in Hilmar and attended schools there) as the film’s deranged antagonist – an eccentric poodle breeder.
“It’s not a bloody horror movie,” said Jones. “‘Breeder’ is a thought-provoking, psychological thriller. I am so proud it's playing in theatres so close to my hometown. Go Yellowjackets!”
The film debuted this week and runs at Regal through Nov. 5. It’s also showing at the Brendan Theatres in Modesto.
The movie is executive-produced by Turlock native Trenton Waterson, a 2005 graduate of Turlock Christian High School who has been in the film industry for two decades and worked in the past for Disney Studios and Marvel Studios.
"From the beginning, I saw Dot in this role," said Waterson, who earned a degree in media management for film and television at Biola University. “She has a commanding presence and an extraordinary ability to bring humor and humanity to even the most outrageous characters. I knew she could make the character both terrifying and impossible to look away from. Seeing critics recognize Dot’s work has been especially rewarding given our shared hometown roots.”
Best known for her performance as Coach Beiste on the television series “Glee,” Jones takes a decidedly darker turn in “Breeder,” portraying “Patti,” whose obsession with genetic perfection leads her to lure a financially desperate college student to her isolated ranch with an offer he may live to regret.
The 6-foot-3 Jones attended Modesto Junior College and Fresno State before establishing a successful career in Hollywood. A former champion athlete and 15-time world arm-wrestling champion, she commands the screen in “Breeder” as a deeply unsettling villain – with impeccable dark-comedic timing.
"I read the script and I'm like, 'Oh, my God, this is something that's so different for me,’” Jones told Gil Macias in an Oct. 28 article for Out Magazine. “I’ve done a few horror films, but I think this is more thriller – it's pretty horrific. I hate to say it like this, but it was fun. The script, to read it all the way through and go, ‘Oh, my God, this is incredible,’ especially for the type of character I was playing. She’s so demented and so delusional, and I just fell in love."
Critics have singled out Jones as one of the film's strengths.
Tribeca's official festival description praised Jones for “one hell of a villain performance," while Pajiba celebrated her “big bravura performance.” ScreenAnarchy called her the film’s “real secret weapon,” singling out her balance of comedic timing and menace.
“Tribeca is such a prestigious festival,” said Waterson, now based in Nashville. “Its success there really launched its sale and distribution.”
The film is distributed by IFC and AMC-owned Shudder, a streaming network for all things horror.
“And what better month than October to release a horror movie,” Waterson added.
In addition to Jones, “Breeder” stars Daniel Doheny, Maddie Phillips and Paige McGarvin. The film marks writer-director Alex Goyette’s feature directorial debut. It is produced by Ian Start, Byron Ashley, Brian Mitchell, Chris Wilkinson, and K. Asher Levin, with production companies Rabbits Black, Mitchell & Start, and Hadron Films. Jones also serves as an executive producer. The film’s running time is 97 minutes. “Breeder” is rated R for violence, bloody images and sexual content.
