Ahead of Pride Month, Dekkoo Films' new queer horror film marks a major milestone. Post-production on the apocalyptic survival film "Scorch Marks" has just wrapped, and the studio announced its September release date, releasing new footage brimming with blood, guts, and lust.
Scorch Marks, written and directed by Brendan Haley, production designer for the Chainsaw Awards and Backstage Butcher, stars Brandon Shipkowski, Chris Salvatore, Tiffany Shepis, Peter Stickles, and Vander Von Odd, the first winner of the Boulet Brothers' Dragula. The film is produced by Brandon Kirby, Dr. Emily Zarka, and Chainsaw Awards writer Michael Varrati. The film's synopsis is as follows:
Waking to a scorched sky and an impending apocalyptic threat, Beckett is confronted with a chilling reality: he may be the only survivor of a global catastrophe. Isolated in a rented beach house, Beckett begins to lose touch with the outside world, becoming vulnerable to the brutal persecution of his abusive ex-husband, Joel. Together, they must overcome the consequences of their toxic high-society past to survive the looming danger of the present, ghostly omens, and the emergence of a primal force from somewhere beyond the scorched earth.
The soundtrack for Scorch Marks will feature compositions by Thomas Dekker, who contributed his song "Kicks," and Sean Doherty, who wrote and performed the song "Deus Ex Machina," specifically for Haley's upcoming film.
Traces of Fire (Photo: Dekkoo Films)
«"At its core, 'Scorch Marks' is a reflection on the destructive nature of heteronormative culture and how those who feel at odds with it often find themselves lost in its storm," Haley previously said of the film. "As a director, I see 'Scorch Marks' as a love letter to the sublime and influential works of Clive Barker and Samuel Beckett, and for me personally, the film is filled with frustration about the state of LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment and how authentic queer stories, and especially complex queer stories, rarely get the attention they deserve.".
«"In a time when our fundamental human rights are once again under attack, I believe it's crucial to create art that can uplift society while simultaneously touching its deepest wounds, especially when those wounds are inflicted by a society that views us as unnatural beings, terrorists, and/or second-class citizens. I'm delighted that after many years of work, I've finally been able to bring this project to life and mark it as my directorial debut. I'm grateful to Brian, Derek, and the entire Dekkoo team for supporting this unique vision, filled with grief and nihilism, but also with great hope.".
Scorch Marks is set to premiere in September 2026. See more new images below.