Felissa Rose Joins the Cast of Half-O-Ween
Hawthorne House Films and Barton Ct. Productions have given horror fans a treat worth unwrapping early. The cult-favorite actress and undisputed scream queen Felissa Rose has officially joined the cast of Half-O-Ween. With a career that spans over forty years, from her unforgettable debut in 1983’s Sleepaway Camp to her scene-stealing appearance in Terrifier 2, Rose brings instant credibility and fan anticipation to every project she joins. When you cast Felissa Rose, you’re not just hiring an actress — you’re summoning a horror legend.
What is Half-O-Ween about?
Directed by Stephen Wolfe (Doll Factory, Dracula’s Coffin) and written by Mike McPherson (10/31 Part 2), Half-O-Ween asks a very important question: what’s scarier than a messy breakup? Answer: being stuck indoors with your landlords while a lunatic prowls the neighborhood. The official synopsis teases a couple whose relationship drama gets interrupted by a local serial killer on the loose. Forget awkward dinner conversations with nosy landlords — it’s hard to argue about who gets to keep the cat when a masked murderer is knocking on the door.
The film leans into its playful title, positioning itself as a “halfway to Halloween” event. This is exactly the kind of high-concept horror indie fans adore — one part camp, one part slasher, and all blood-soaked entertainment.
Felissa Rose: From Angela to Icon
Felissa Rose is synonymous with horror fandom. Her role as Angela in Sleepaway Camp remains one of the most jaw-dropping finales in horror history, shocking audiences with a twist so infamous it’s still being discussed and meme’d today. But Rose didn’t stop at one cult hit. She built a career on her willingness to embrace the weird, wild, and gory. From Return to Sleepaway Camp to Victor Crowley and Terrifier 2, she has shown she can shift from eerie to hilarious, from cameo to commanding lead, all while remaining a fan favorite on the convention circuit.
Her presence in Half-O-Ween signals that the filmmakers are not just making another indie slasher, but a project deeply aware of horror’s history and its fandom. When Felissa Rose signs on, horror audiences listen.
A Cast of Familiar Faces
Felissa isn’t the only name attached to this holiday horror. Lestonja Diaz (Out of Body), Tim Robinson (10/31 Part 2), Sara Gaston (To Catch a Killer), Joe Grisaffi (Stranger Things), Joshua Kennedy (House of the Gorgon), and Josh Spiegel (The Last Amityville Movie) round out the cast. Xavier Flores, who starred in Wolfe’s Doll Factory, takes center stage as the film’s killer Eddie Mangas. It’s always fun when a director reunites with past collaborators, especially when those collaborations involve murderous lunatics.
This blend of seasoned indie actors and cult veterans means Half-O-Ween should strike the right balance of familiarity and fresh blood.
The Team Behind the Screams
Behind the camera, Wolfe and McPherson bring indie horror cred, while producers Tim Robinson and P.J. Starks (New Fears Eve, 13 Slays Till X-Mas) ensure that this project has strong festival-friendly pedigree. Special effects will be handled by Ryan and Salina Ward of Little Shop of Gore FX, the duo responsible for splatter-heavy effects in Terrifier 3. Translation: don’t get too attached to anyone on screen, because limbs and faces are about to fly.
Half a Holiday, Double the Horror
The title itself, Half-O-Ween, is a wink to horror fans who celebrate Halloween year-round. The concept of a “halfway holiday” has become a staple in horror culture, with events, conventions, and marathons popping up every April. It makes perfect sense to finally give the concept its own feature-length fright fest.
Why You Should Be Excited
At first glance, Half-O-Ween seems like a quirky indie project with a clever title. But dig deeper and it has everything horror fans crave. A horror icon at the top of her game? Check. A director with experience in campy, blood-soaked horror? Check. A practical FX team with splatter credentials? Double check. And let’s not forget a poster tagline that perfectly sums it all up: “It’s Halfway to Halloween, but the terror has already begun!”
With production gearing up in Los Angeles, we won’t have to wait long for the first footage to arrive. And if Felissa Rose has anything to say about it, Half-O-Ween could be one of those rare indie slashers that becomes a convention staple and late-night favorite for years to come.
