Stygian (partially found James Wan debut horror film; 2000)

Leigh Whannell as Clown

Status: Lost

Stygian is an Australian short-budget indie horror film produced by Hybrid Films in the year 2000, debuting the first credits for director, writer, and filmmaker, James Wan, Wan is the creator of prominent horror franchises such as The Conjuring, Insidious, and Saw franchises which are generally credited for putting the sub-genre of torture-gore films into mainstream.

Premise

Stygian is a story about a young couple who become unintentional targets in a life-or-death situation. They come into possession of a powerful talisman that is being sought after by the evil 'Reapers Brothers'. As a result, they find themselves trapped in a different realm which serves as a "gutter punk" purgatory for deceased villains called 'Exile'. Jamie must navigate this unfamiliar world to find Melinda, but he soon realizes he is not the only one in this predicament.

Availability

James Wan's film project was initially shown at the some Underground Horror Film Festivals around the year 2000, and even obtained a few AWARDS on those, but it never been released in any forms of public nor physical media, and has disappeared since then.

A Reddit user alleged that the co-director Shannon Young has pronounced that he has the movie in his personal archives but stated that he has no intention to release it.

Awards received

• 'Best Use of the Guerilla Aesthetic' by Melbourne Underground Film Festival, 2000;
• Official selection by Dead By Dawn Horror Film Festival in Scotland, 2000;
• Melbourne Fringe Festival, 1999.

Cast and Characters

• Ryan Gibson as Jamie
• Lorna Pettifer as Melinda
• Leigh Whannell as Clown / Punk Kid