In an era when horror films often lean heavily on jump scares or grim intensity, The Restoration at Grayson Manor delivers something refreshingly different: a sharp blend of gothic horror, dark comedy, and twisted family drama.
Shown at Glasgow Film Festival 2026, starring Chris Colfer alongside the acclaimed Alice Krige, the film is already generating attention on the festival circuit for its unpredictable tone, theatrical performances, and a story that gleefully embraces its wicked sense of humor.
Set within a towering Victorian mansion and steeped in eerie atmosphere, the film proves that horror can be both chilling and wildly entertaining.
Krige, celebrated for her commanding screen presence in genre cinema, brings a chilling elegance that perfectly suits the film’s sinister tone. Working alongside her proved just as thrilling as Colfer expected : “She’s one of the best actors I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. There were moments where she delivered a line so brilliantly that I forgot I was in the movie and just stared at her.”
That electric on-screen dynamic becomes one of the film’s biggest strengths.
A Horror Film That Knows How to Have Fun
At its core, The Restoration at Grayson Manor plays with the conventions of classic gothic horror. But rather than delivering a straightforward fright fest, the film layers its scares with biting comedy and outrageous character dynamics.
The unexpected twists are a major part of the film’s charm. Just when viewers think they understand the tone or direction of the story, Grayson Manor pulls the rug out from under them.
That unpredictability makes the film feel fresh in a genre that often repeats familiar patterns.
“I knew on page two that it was something I wanted to do. I loved the character — how diabolical he is, how twisted and selfish and complicated.”
That complexity was key to the role’s appeal. Colfer explained that queer characters in genre films are often written as background figures or stereotypes rather than fully realized individuals.
“A lot of queer characters aren’t written with that much complication. Sometimes they’re more like noise in the background instead of real people with real issues.”
Horror, Humor and a Wildly Dysfunctional Family
While the film delivers gothic thrills, its greatest weapon may actually be its sense of humor.
Colfer describes the story as intentionally outrageous: “It’s supposed to be funny and it’s supposed to be shocking.”
At the center of the narrative is a deeply dysfunctional mother-son relationship. One Colfer jokingly compares to one of cinema’s most infamous horror pairings. “It’s probably the most dysfunctional mother-son relationship ever seen… second only maybe to Psycho.”
That twisted dynamic drives much of the film’s narrative chaos and its darkly comic energy.
A Cult Horror in the Making
Early festival reactions suggest that The Restoration at Grayson Manor could become a cult favorite among horror fans.
With its flamboyant performances, queer gothic sensibility, and wicked sense of humor, the film stands apart from the more formulaic entries in the genre.
Colfer himself hopes audiences embrace the film’s playful spirit.
Combined with theatrical performances and a story that refuses to behave, the film feels like a love letter to classic gothic horror with a mischievous modern twist.
