Write for your life.|Sep. 15, 2021|United States|100 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Drama;Family;Fantasy;Horror;Kids;Mystery;Thriller
Description: A boy is trapped by a witch and must tell her a new scary story every night to survive. This gripping contemporary fantasy by J. A. White, the author of the Thickety series, brings storytelling to life in a magical way. Alex’s chilling tales keep the witch, Natacha, satisfied, but he knows his pages will eventually run out, leaving him trapped forever. As a lifelong fan of horror stories, Alex is well aware that most don’t have happy endings. Now, stuck in his own terrifying nightmare, he desperately seeks a way to change his fate and escape.
This modern twist on the Scheherazade tale is perfect for fans of *Coraline* and *A Tale Dark and Grimm*. The story not only entertains but also offers insights into crafting suspense, adding plot twists, and overcoming writer’s block. It’s an ideal read for aspiring writers and lovers of dark, engaging stories.
Alex Mosher has always felt different. Normal kids don’t obsess over creepy stuff or fill notebooks with horror stories. To rid himself of the “weirdo” label, he decides to destroy his “nightbooks.” But when an elevator stops unexpectedly, he’s lured into a cursed apartment and trapped by Natacha. With the help of another captive, Yasmin, Alex becomes the witch’s storyteller, sharing his eerie tales nightly. As he explores the apartment and plans an escape, he discovers his stories keep an ancient evil at bay—an evil even Natacha fears. Time is running out, and Alex must find a way to break free.
White’s tale weaves elements of *Hansel and Gretel* and *The 1,001 Arabian Nights* into a spine-chilling narrative that also explores the art of storytelling and the concept of normalcy. A must-read for middle-grade horror fans.
Cast director: David Yarovesky
Cast actor: Winslow Fegley, Lidya Jewett, Krysten Ritter, Luxton Handspiker, Liam Couvion, Eden Gjoka
Original name: Nightbooks