The upcoming brutal and groundbreaking slasher Phil Herman’s A Soldier’s Descent continues to build momentum with the announcement that Kaitlyn Trentham has joined the ensemble cast. Trentham recently starred in Jester 2, a Dread Central release that hit theaters nationwide last month and will be arriving on Apple+ streaming October 17.
Directed by Carissa Pierson, the film is quickly shaping up to be one of the most talked-about independent horror projects in recent years.
Trentham’s addition comes alongside an already powerhouse lineup of genre names. Andrew Pierson (Return of the Living Dead: Trash’s Revenge, Witchcraft XVII: The Initiation, Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light) headlines the project, joined by:
• J. Gaven Wilde (The Righteous Gemstones, The Black Phone, Halloween Kills)
• Laurene Landon (Airplane II: The Sequel, Maniac Cop)
• Kansas Bowling (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
• Sandy Johnson (Halloween)
• Joseph Poliquin (Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Purge TV Series)
• Kristina Lafser (Bad Apples, Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light)
In addition to the high-profile cast, over 15 Veterans are involved in the production as part of the cast and crew, bringing authenticity and depth to the film’s exploration of military trauma and its psychological impact.
What sets A Soldier’s Descent apart isn’t just its stacked cast — it’s the subject matter. This isn’t your typical slasher. The film dares to explore themes of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, war trauma, and the psychological unraveling of those who carry violence home with them. These are topics rarely, if ever, handled in horror, and the filmmakers aren’t shying away from their brutality.
By colliding raw, real-world pain with the ferocity of a slasher film, A Soldier’s Descent promises to shock, disturb, and challenge audiences in ways the genre has never seen before. It’s a story that doesn’t just entertain — it cuts deep, holding a mirror to the darkest corners of the human experience.
Director Carissa Pierson shared her vision: “Horror has always been about facing our fears, but with this film, we’re confronting the kind of fear that lingers long after the credits roll. We’re telling a story that’s raw, human, and terrifying in a way audiences have never seen. This is horror that refuses to play it safe.”
Filming is set to begin this November in North Carolina, with key locations including:
• Charlie Mike’s Bar in Fayetteville — a veteran-favorite spot known for its authentic atmosphere.
• Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft Park in Fayetteville — offering a tactical setting for intense action sequences.
• A remote country property in Roaring River — providing an eerie backdrop for chilling scenes.
• Madison Dry Goods Country Store and Museum — featured in Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted, adding a historical touch.
• Myers House NC — a life-size replica of Michael Myers’ childhood home, beloved by horror fans.
• The iconic vehicle from It Follows — connecting the film to modern horror history.
Fresh off her nationwide theatrical run with Jester 2 — a Dread Central-backed release — and its upcoming Apple+ streaming debut, Kaitlyn Trentham is quickly proving herself to be one of horror’s rising stars, making her casting in A Soldier’s Descent even more exciting for fans of the genre.
The film is written by Phil Herman, a veteran of the horror world with over 30 years of filmmaking experience, bringing decades of insight, storytelling mastery, and genre expertise to this chilling and uncompromising slasher.