The highly anticipated horror slasher A Soldier’s Descent has just turned up the heat with three powerhouse additions to its cast: cult cinema favorite Laurene Landon, actress Kansas Bowling, and horror royalty Sandy Johnson. With this trio now on board, the upcoming film is shaping up to be one of the most exciting indie horror productions of the year.
Laurene Landon is beloved for her roles in Maniac Cop and Airplane II: The Sequel, bringing both strength and charisma to every role she takes on. Kansas Bowling—known for Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood—continues to carve her own path in horror cinema, bringing fearless energy to the screen. And of course, fans of John Carpenter’s Halloween will instantly recognize Sandy Johnson as Judith Myers, Michael Myers’ very first on-screen victim, making her return to horror a thrilling full-circle moment.
They’ll be joining lead actor Andrew Pierson, whose genre work includes Return of the Living Dead: Trash’s Revenge, where he carried the legacy of one of horror’s most iconic franchises, and Witchcraft XVII and Witchcraft XVIII, continuing one of the longest-running supernatural sagas in horror history. Starring alongside him is supporting actress Kristina Lafser, recognized for her chilling performances in Bad Apples, Aversion, and Witchcraft XVIII. The film is written by Phil Herman, whose storytelling brings a tense and chilling backbone to the script.
Adding to the excitement, A Soldier’s Descent officially announced that Carissa Pierson will be taking the helm as the film’s Director. Pierson’s vision brings a raw and fearless energy to the project, with a focus on blending emotional depth with classic slasher terror. As a female director stepping into the horror space, Pierson is pushing boundaries and bringing a fresh voice to a genre often dominated by male filmmakers.
The production also welcomed Steven Morris as Assistant Director, a role that will be instrumental in shaping the film’s unique pacing and intensity. Together, Pierson and Morris make a dynamic creative team guiding the project into chilling new territory.
Filming for A Soldier’s Descent is scheduled for this November in North Carolina, promising locations as iconic as the cast. The crew will shoot at Madison Dry Goods Country Store and Museum, which horror fans may recognize from the Netflix series 28 Days Haunted. They’ll also feature the legendary Myers House NC, a life-size replica of Michael Myers’ childhood home that has become a pilgrimage site for Halloween fans across the world. To top it off, production secured the vehicle from IT Follows, connecting A Soldier’s Descent directly to one of modern horror’s most acclaimed films.
“This kind of movie has never been done,” said Director Carissa Pierson. “A Soldier’s Descent will make horror history by tackling tough subjects in a raw, real, uncensored way — including PTSD, veteran suicide, domestic abuse, and substance abuse — while still delivering the scares and intensity horror fans crave. My goal is to make a film that both frightens and resonates, and I couldn’t be more excited about the team we’ve assembled to bring it to life.”
With a bold cast, a trailblazing director, and filming locations steeped in horror history, A Soldier’s Descent is building massive anticipation. This is a film that promises to respect the roots of the genre while carving out its own terrifying legacy.
