Trailer for Polish Giallo Dead by Dawn Unleashes Masked Killer and Occult Terror
The newly released trailer for Dead by Dawn has arrived, giving horror fans a first look at a striking genre experiment that blends the lurid traditions of Italian giallo cinema with a distinctly Polish setting. Directed by writer and filmmaker Dawid Torrone in his feature debut, the film has been promoted as Poland’s first true attempt at a giallo-style horror production, drawing inspiration from the visually bold and blood-soaked thrillers that dominated Italian horror during the 1970s and 1980s.
For decades, giallo films have held a unique place in horror history. Defined by their stylised visuals, mysterious killers wearing black gloves, elaborate murder set pieces and twisting narratives, the subgenre was popularised by directors such as Mario Bava, Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci. These films combined crime stories, psychological horror and operatic violence, often taking place within isolated or claustrophobic environments where a masked killer stalks victims one by one. Dead by Dawn appears to embrace many of those familiar elements while attempting to introduce them to a Polish horror audience that rarely sees the style attempted locally.
The story takes place inside a legendary theatre that has long been surrounded by unsettling rumours and whispers of occult activity. Within its imposing walls, a group of young actors gather to rehearse a new theatrical production under the guidance of a mysterious director named Heissenhoff. At first the setting appears to be nothing more than an isolated rehearsal space, but it quickly becomes clear that something far darker is lurking beneath the surface.
As rehearsals progress, the atmosphere inside the theatre begins to shift. Strange occurrences, mounting paranoia and unexplained tension build among the performers. What begins as a creative project soon turns into a terrifying ordeal when a masked figure starts stalking the cast throughout the building’s labyrinth of hallways, dressing rooms and backstage corridors.
The killer follows the visual traditions of classic giallo villains. Black leather gloves conceal their identity while a disturbing mask hides their face, turning the figure into a haunting presence moving silently through the shadows. As the actors attempt to understand what is happening around them, the theatre itself begins to feel like a trap, with the performers seemingly becoming unwilling participants in a sinister ritual that unfolds over the course of the night.
The enclosed setting plays a central role in the film’s tension. Like many classic giallo stories, the narrative places a small group of characters inside a single location where escape becomes increasingly difficult. As the night continues and the threat grows closer, the actors must navigate the theatre’s darkened spaces while trying to uncover who the killer is and why they have become the targets of this deadly game.
Alongside the slasher-style premise, the film introduces hints of occult mythology that tie into the theatre’s history and the mysterious production being rehearsed by the group. These supernatural elements suggest that the violence unfolding on stage may be connected to something far older and more dangerous than any one person hiding behind a mask.
Visually, Dead by Dawn appears to lean heavily into the aesthetic traditions of giallo cinema. The trailer showcases vivid colours, exaggerated lighting and stylised imagery that recall the striking visual language used in films like Deep Red, Suspiria and The New York Ripper. Bright neon hues, thick shadows and dreamlike lighting transform the theatre into a surreal nightmare environment where reality and performance begin to blur together.
The film’s cast includes Sylwia Boron, Monika Frajczyk, Adam Machalica, Lukasz Szczepanowski, Piotr Nerlewski, Bartlomiej Topa and Paulina Zwierz. Much of the film was shot inside the Zagłębie Palace of Culture, whose towering architecture and cavernous interiors provide an atmospheric backdrop for the story. The building’s vast halls and imposing design help reinforce the sense of isolation surrounding the characters as the events of the night spiral out of control.
Dead By Dawn Gaining Attention
Dead by Dawn first began attracting attention on the international festival circuit in 2025. The film premiered at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival and went on to screen at a number of genre-focused events, including Screamfest, Grimmfest, Morbido Film Fest and SXSW London. Its unusual blend of theatrical horror, giallo aesthetics and occult storytelling quickly made it one of the more intriguing European horror projects to emerge from the festival circuit that year.
With its digital release now approaching, the newly unveiled trailer provides the clearest look yet at what audiences can expect from Torrone’s ambitious debut. Combining masked murder, theatrical performances and hints of supernatural conspiracy, Dead by Dawn looks set to deliver a stylish homage to classic Italian horror while introducing a new twist on the genre within a Polish setting.
The film arrives on Digital March 13 via Chroma, and the trailer offers a glimpse of the bloody and visually striking nightmare waiting inside the theatre once the curtain rises.
