In this edition of EoM Presents, Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning talks with actor and martial artist Marko Zaror about his latest project "Diablo." This film is directed by one of Zaror's oldest friends and creative partners, Ernesto Diaz Espinoza, and stars fellow action movie icon Scott Adkins. Zaror talks about the complex process of constructing the action sequences and the significance of cinematographer Niccolo De La Fere's kickboxing background in his approach to capturing the fight choreography.

In theaters, on VOD, and digital June 13th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
After his release from prison, one man makes it his mission to right a terrible wrong by revealing a secret that could end his life. Scott Adkins stars as Kris Chaney, a warrior who seizes the daughter of a Colombian gangster to fulfill a noble promise to the young girl’s mother. When her father enlists both the criminal underworld and the terrifying psychotic killer El Corvo (Marko Zaror) to exact his revenge, Kris will need to draw upon everything he has ever learned -- in and out of lockup -- to stay alive and keep his word.

Official Trailer: youtu.be/ANKPsCTh0Og?si=1yQz5Ps8z8WK7YDM

Directed By: Ernesto Dìaz Espinoza
Written By: Mat Sansom
Cast: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alanna De La Rossa

A Conversation with “Diablo” actor Marko Zaror.

Since author Bram Stoker published "Dracula" in 1897, countless adaptations of the novel have been released from films seeking to bring the words on the page to life to authors adding their own spin to the tale through original works. One such adaptive work is author Joe Hill’s "Abraham’s Boys," first published in 2007 and now adapted for the big screen by writer/director Natasha Kermani ("Imitation Girl;" "Lucky") in "Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story." Kermani’s original work held its world premiere at The Overlook Film Festival 2025 and is now set for a theatrical release on July 11th. 

In the first of four interviews, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with actors Jocelin Donahue (Mina Van Helsing) and Brady Hepner (Max Van Helsing) to discuss their acting processes, how they approached developing a rapport given the tight shoot schedule, and more in their brief conversation.

In theaters July 11th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
Max and Rudy Van Helsing have spent their lives under the strict and overprotective rule of their father, Abraham. Unaware of his dark past, they struggle to understand his paranoia and increasingly erratic behavior. But when they begin to uncover the violent truths behind their father’s history with Dracula, their world unravels, forcing them to confront the terrifying legacy they were never meant to inherit.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/-2BJrCzvEZQ

Directed/Written By: Natasha Kermani
Based Upon the Short Story by: Joe Hill
Cast: Titus Welliver, Jocelin Donahue, Judah Mackey, Aurora Perrineau, Brady Hepner, Corteon Moore

A Conversation with "Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story" actors Jocelin Donahue and Brady Hepner

Since author Bram Stoker published "Dracula" in 1897, countless adaptations of the novel have been released from films seeking to bring the words on the page to life to authors adding their own spin to the tale through original works. One such adaptive work is author Joe Hill’s "Abraham’s Boys," first published in 2007 and now adapted for the big screen by writer/director Natasha Kermani ("Imitation Girl;" "Lucky") in "Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story." Kermani’s original work held its world premiere at The Overlook Film Festival 2025 and is now set for a theatrical release on July 11th. 

In the second of four interviews, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with actor Titus Welliver (Abraham Van Helsing) to discuss how he approached taking on the role of Van Helsing, what he felt he brought to the role, and more in this short conversation.

In theaters July 11th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
Max and Rudy Van Helsing have spent their lives under the strict and overprotective rule of their father, Abraham. Unaware of his dark past, they struggle to understand his paranoia and increasingly erratic behavior. But when they begin to uncover the violent truths behind their father’s history with Dracula, their world unravels, forcing them to confront the terrifying legacy they were never meant to inherit.

Official Trailer: youtu.be/-2BJrCzvEZQ

Directed/Written By: Natasha Kermani
Based Upon the Short Story by: Joe Hill
Cast: Titus Welliver, Jocelin Donahue, Judah Mackey, Aurora Perrineau, Brady Hepner, Corteon Moore

A Conversation with "Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story" actor Titus Welliver

Since author Bram Stoker published "Dracula" in 1897, countless adaptations of the novel have been released from films seeking to bring the words on the page to life to authors adding their own spin to the tale through original works. One such adaptive work is author Joe Hill’s "Abraham’s Boys," first published in 2007 and now adapted for the big screen by writer/director Natasha Kermani ("Imitation Girl;" "Lucky") in "Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story." Kermani’s original work held its world premiere at The Overlook Film Festival 2025 and is now set for a theatrical release on July 11th. 

In the third of four interviews, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with author of the source material Joe Hill ("Horns;" "Locke & Key") to discuss his work, the adaptive process, and a whole lot of Alfred Hitchcock in this eight-minute conversation.

In theaters July 11th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
Max and Rudy Van Helsing have spent their lives under the strict and overprotective rule of their father, Abraham. Unaware of his dark past, they struggle to understand his paranoia and increasingly erratic behavior. But when they begin to uncover the violent truths behind their father’s history with Dracula, their world unravels, forcing them to confront the terrifying legacy they were never meant to inherit.

Official Trailer: youtu.be/-2BJrCzvEZQ

Directed/Written By: Natasha Kermani
Based Upon the Short Story by: Joe Hill
Cast: Titus Welliver, Jocelin Donahue, Judah Mackey, Aurora Perrineau, Brady Hepner, Corteon Moore

A Conversation with "Abraham's Boys" author Joe Hill

Since author Bram Stoker published "Dracula" in 1897, countless adaptations of the novel have been released from films seeking to bring the words on the page to life to authors adding their own spin to the tale through original works. One such adaptive work is author Joe Hill’s "Abraham’s Boys," first published in 2007 and now adapted for the big screen by writer/director Natasha Kermani ("Imitation Girl;" "Lucky") in "Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story." Kermani’s original work held its world premiere at The Overlook Film Festival 2025 and is now set for a theatrical release on July 11th. 

In the fourth of four interviews, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with writer/director Natasha Kermani to discuss her approach to adapting Joe Hill’s story, bringing her perspective to the source material, the opportunity of telling a story post-"Dracula," and more in their brief conversation.

In theaters July 11th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
Max and Rudy Van Helsing have spent their lives under the strict and overprotective rule of their father, Abraham. Unaware of his dark past, they struggle to understand his paranoia and increasingly erratic behavior. But when they begin to uncover the violent truths behind their father’s history with Dracula, their world unravels, forcing them to confront the terrifying legacy they were never meant to inherit.

Official Trailer: youtu.be/-2BJrCzvEZQ

Directed/Written By: Natasha Kermani
Based Upon the Short Story by: Joe Hill
Cast: Titus Welliver, Jocelin Donahue, Judah Mackey, Aurora Perrineau, Brady Hepner, Corteon Moore

A Conversation with "Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story" writer/director Natasha Kermani

This is an experiment in which I test out recording my reviews for those who might prefer to listen instead of read. Due to a few reasons (mentioned at the start of the review), I was unable to see "Superman" ahead of or around its initial release. But I did see it and decided to review it. We'll see how this goes, but, for now, please enjoy this spoiler-free review of "Superman."  

Official Synopsis:
The newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who's driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.

In theaters July 11th, 2025.

Official Trailer:

Directed/Written By: James Gunn
Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced

"Superman" (2025) Spoiler-free review.

Continuing the experiment of reading reviews, what follows is a not-so-dramatic reading of the recently publishing home review for Eureka Entertainment's restoration of filmmaker Jean Epstein's "Finis Terrae."

Official Synopsis:
Discover the groundbreaking work of Jean Epstein—one of France’s most influential filmmakers and a pioneer of the French Impressionist movement—in FINIS TERRAE, now available on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK and North America! Follow four fishermen stranded on the windswept islet of Bannec as a broken wine bottle sets off a harrowing chain of events, trapping them in isolation and mistrust amid raging seas. This atmospheric maritime tale—foreshadowing modern masterpieces like THE LIGHTHOUSE — showcases Epstein’s masterful use of slow-motion cinematography and poetic realism. Part of the acclaimed Masters of Cinema series and sourced from a stunning 4K restoration by Gaumont, FINIS TERRAE is a must-see for cinephiles, silent-film fans, and lovers of film history. 

Available on Blu-ray in North America August 12th, 2025.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/b9z_UwhOADI?si=nsJpDCiTxdF5zcdC

Directed/Written By: Jean Epstein
Eureka Entertainment: https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/finis-terrae/
MVD Entertainment Group: https://mvdshop.com/products/finis-terrae-blu-ray?_pos=1&_sid=c75973404&_ss=r

"Finis Terrae" Eureka Entertainment restoration review

For one-night only, MJ Bassett's "Red Sonja" is in theaters on August 13th. I offer my spoiler-free review, read straight from my desktop.

Official Synopsis:
Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/-Oqql6RErHc?si=LJNNRamvd3Wst2Ir
Official Samuel Goldwyn Films webpage: https://www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/red-sonja/
Official theatrical website: https://redsonja.movie/

Directed By: MJ Bassett
Written By: Tasha Huo
Cast: Matilda Lutz, Martyn Ford, Robert Sheehan, Wallis Day, Michael Bisping, Philip Winchester, Trevor Eve, Luca Pasqualino, Rhona Mitra

"Red Sonja" spoiler-free review

Known in some circles as "The She-Devil with a Sword," author Robert E. Howard's "Red Sonja" has been adapted from his novels into comics and, until recently, only one theatrical title. Director MJ Bassett has changed this with her Matilda Lutz-led adaptation, titled "Red Sonja," that released in theaters for one-night only on August 13th and is set for a VOD release on August 29th, unleashing a new tale with the Hyborian Age for audiences to experience. 

Sitting down with EoM Contributor AJ Friar, Bassett and Lutz discuss how they each became attached to the project, how practical effects impacted the process, and a great deal more in this brief conversation.

Official Summary:
Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.

Available on VOD August 29th, 2025.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/-Oqql6RErHc

Directed By: MJ Bassett
Written By: Tasha Huo
Cast: Matilda Lutz, Martyn Ford, Robert Sheehan, Wallis Day, Michael Bisping, Philip Winchester, Trevor Eve, Luca Pasqualino, Rhona Mitra, Sofia Weldon

A Conversation with "Red Sonja" director MJ Bassett and actor Matilda Lutz.

In this edition of EoM Presents, Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning chats again with action star Scott Adkins about his latest offering, "Prisoner of War," directed by Louis Mandylor. Adkins discusses the impact of the production design on his performance, using handheld weaponry in the fight sequences, and talks about why, "In battle, it’s the calm man you should fear the most."

In theaters and on VOD September 19th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
Starring martial arts icon Scott Adkins as British SAS officer James Wright, Prisoner of War tells the story of a soldier captured by the Japanese and held in a Philippine POW camp. Before the entire colony embarks upon the Bataan Death March, Wright and his fellow prisoners are forced to compete in brutal death matches for the entertainment of their captors. Adkins puts in a career best performance as the man who may be able to save them all.

For more information: https://wellgousa.com/films/prisoner-war
Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/pr9BWYlZWlQ

Directed By: Louis Mandylor
Cast: Scott Adkins, Peter Shinkoda, Michael Copon, Gabbi Garcia, Cowboy Cerrone

A Conversation with “Prisoner of War” co-writer/actor Scott Adkins.

Elements of Madness is an entertainment website focused on cinematic releases past, present, and future. With so many channels to watch films, and more arriving every day, EoM seeks to help cut through the clutter by focusing on not just the big studio pieces, but also the smaller indie pictures hitting theaters and streaming services. Though our team is small, the combination of their particular talents and view of cinema is the mixture that leads to madness.

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