New Horror Film From Joe Swanberg, ‘Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round’, Set For AFM Debut

Los Angeles-based Great Escape is gearing up for the American Film Market (AFM) with the launch of sales for the upcoming horror film Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round. The movie marks the first installment in the Terror Town genre slate and comes from producer Joe Swanberg and Yale Productions. 

The film stars Michael Gilio, known for his work on Dark Harvest and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and is directed by first-time feature filmmaker Aidan Leary. The world premiere is set for next month at the Leeds International Film Festival in the UK.

The movie follows James Jensen, a children’s show host whose repressed childhood memories resurface while filming an episode of Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round, sending him into a downward spiral that threatens his mental health. As the synopsis teases, viewers will wonder whether his puppet co-stars, the Playground Pals, are helping or hiding the truth from him.

“I am blown away by what this team accomplished,” Great Escape’s Nicholas Donnermeyer said. “Leary and Thompson immediately announce themselves as bold new talents. This film is a trip. I can’t wait to see this with an audience.”

Levine and Beckerman of Yale Productions praised Gilio’s performance, highlighting the challenging nature of his role. “Michael did such an incredible job. So much of the film rests on his shoulders,” they said, adding that the puppets in the film are also a standout, feeling “instantly iconic.”

With Swanberg’s vast experience in indie filmmaking, including works like Drinking Buddies and Happy Christmas, Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round looks to bring a unique horror experience to audiences worldwide.

Ron Rocky Coloma: Ron Rocky Coloma is the Founder of Entertainment Flair, an editor and a writer who specializes in entertainment, fashion and lifestyle journalism. He is passionate about telling the stories of designers, artists and creatives, bringing their narratives to life and showcasing their talent and vision. At Entertainment Flair, Coloma continues to innovate and elevate the art of storytelling, striving to inspire and engage audiences with every piece of content he creates, which is viewed by audiences in 53 countries. Throughout his career, Coloma has contributed to esteemed publications such as Pacific Daily News (formerly part of the Gannett and USA TODAY NETWORK), The Guam Daily Post, Pacific Island Times, Affinity Magazine, MINT Magazine, Peninsula Press and The Stanford Daily. These experiences have honed his ability to craft compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Coloma has been invited to cover private industry shows at New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, Copenhagen Fashion Week, Tokyo Fashion Week and Seoul Fashion Week, further solidifying his standing in the industry. These opportunities have enriched his understanding of global fashion trends and the visionary minds behind them. A proud alumnus of Stanford University, Coloma earned both his bachelor’s degree in Communication and a master’s degree in Communication with a focus on Data Journalism, all within an accelerated timeframe of four years. His academic journey at Stanford equipped him with a unique blend of storytelling prowess and data-driven insights, enabling him to deliver impactful and well-rounded narratives.
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