Ella Purnell, recently known for her role as a nuclear apocalypse survivor in Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout, has just announced her latest project—a horror-comedy featuring murderous squirrels titled The Scurry. And honestly, we can’t wait to see it.
A Quirky Plot and a Stellar Cast
In The Scurry, Purnell teams up with British actor-director Craig Roberts, known for his work on Eternal Beauty. This time, Roberts is diving into a genre-bending horror-comedy set in a remote forest where the unthinkable happens—killer squirrels. The title itself is a clever play on words, combining the chaotic nature of a “scurry” with a nod to “squirrels.”
Joining Purnell in this wild ride are Rhys Ifans, Beau Gadsdon, Olivia Cooke, Paapa Essiedu (Men), Mia McKenna-Bruce (How to Have Sex), and Antonia Thomas (Misfits). With a lineup like this, the film promises to be a distinctly British production, though it seems to be more Beau Is Afraid than Shaun of the Dead, according to its director.
Killer Squirrels in the Woods
Despite Roberts’ comparison to Beau Is Afraid, the official synopsis for The Scurry brings to mind classic British horror-comedies like Shaun of the Dead or Paul Andrew Williams’ Welcome to the Punch. The premise is delightfully twisted: two pest control workers are called to an eco-café in a country park to deal with what appears to be a routine vermin problem. But as night falls, they—and the park’s staff and visitors—find themselves besieged by a horde of vengeful squirrels.
As the body count rises, the survivors barricade themselves in the café, cut off from the outside world by an unexpected storm that knocks out the power and communication lines. The eclectic group of characters includes the pest controllers, a sullen teenager, hypocritical vegans, and a drug dealer—all with slim chances of making it out alive.
A Director with a Unique Vision
During a recent appearance at Fan Expo 2024 in Chicago, Ella Purnell shared more about Roberts’ intriguing approach to this bizarre storyline. Despite the film’s seemingly absurd premise, Roberts is aiming for something more cerebral and artistic. Purnell described her admiration for the director, saying, “I love Craig Roberts. I think he’s insanely talented. If you don’t know his work, you should check it out. He’s a weird guy. And [The Scurry] kind of feels like Shaun of the Dead, but it’s not.”
She added, “He told me, ‘I know everyone wants this to be like Shaun of the Dead, but I’m going for Beau Is Afraid.’ And I was like, ‘But it’s about killer squirrels.’ Somehow, he’s making it work. I have no idea how this film will turn out. It could either be the coolest thing ever, or it could ruin my career. But I trust him.”
A British Production with an Intriguing Future
The Scurry is one of the first films to benefit from the UK’s new tax credit for independent films, which explains the all-British cast and the choice of Wales’ Dragon Studios as the filming location. With a budget of £10 million (roughly €11.7 million), the film is set to bring a unique blend of horror and humor to the screen.
As of now, there’s no official release date for The Scurry, but with a premise this unusual, it’s definitely a film to keep an eye on. Whether it turns out to be a cult hit or a cinematic oddity, one thing’s for sure—it’s going to be memorable.
My name is Noah and I’m a dedicated member of the “Jason Deegan” team. With my passion for technology, I strive to bring you the latest and most exciting news in the world of high-tech.