A new horror movie is pulling in a wild mix of wrestling names, and the first look is already bloody as hell.
The Stutterer is currently in production, with AEW star Ace Austin featured in the first images from the film. The photos show Austin getting brutally murdered in a gore-heavy scene, along with behind-the-scenes shots showing his bloody face and other production details. But the bigger story is the wrestling lineup attached to the project.
Matt Riddle, Red Velvet, Mercedes Martinez, and Japanese deathmatch legend Atsushi Onita are all set to appear in the film. The cast also includes Eric Roberts, Rhonda Shear, Lloyd Kaufman, Mel Heflin, Brinke Stevens, Markin Carvalho, Kobi Frumer, and others.
The Stutterer is directed by Rocky Ciarrocchi, who also plays the title character. According to the film’s IMDb page, the project is set for a 2027 release. Ciarrocchi has described the movie as a queer horror film and the first chapter of a planned trilogy, with hopes of eventually turning the story into a feature. The movie is being pitched as a blood-soaked throwback to classic 1980s slasher films, with practical gore, brutal kills, and a story built around identity, trauma, and what it means to be different.
The film focuses on a masked killer who terrorizes parks, campsites, homes, and city streets while hiding in plain sight as a trusted police officer. As the body count rises, viewers learn that the killer is “The Stutterer,” a man scarred by lifelong bullying, rejection, and the loss of the only love he ever knew. They also released a trailer earlier this year which shows the titular character murdering people in a park while the victims are simply helpless to his actions.
The project is not just about the kills either. The story explores love, grief, shame, trauma, fear, and the emotional damage caused by cruelty. Even the killer’s mask is meant to symbolize the parts of ourselves people feel forced to hide just to survive. On the film’s Kickstarter page, Ciarrocchi explained that the movie comes from a deeply personal place.
“The Stutterer is deeply personal to me. As someone who grew up with a speech impediment, I experienced significant bullying and isolation. This film tells the story of a man who stutters—someone marginalized and ridiculed—who finally finds love, only to lose it, sending him into darkness. My goal is to elevate awareness around stuttering and bring visibility to an experience rarely explored in film, particularly within the horror genre.”
Ciarrocchi went even deeper, saying the project is about more than violence. He also made it clear that the film does not exist to excuse the killer’s actions, but to push a message about empathy.
“THE STUTTERER is a queer horror film and the first chapter of a planned trilogy with hopes to turn it into a feature! It’s a blood-soaked throwback to classic 1980s slasher movies—raw, intense, and practical—while also telling a deeply personal story about identity, trauma, and what it means to be different. I’m a filmmaker who grew up with a speech impediment. I know what it feels like to be mocked, underestimated, or made to feel small. THE STUTTERER was created from those experiences—not to excuse violence, but to show the importance of empathy and kindness.”
The Kickstarter page also revealed that Ciarrocchi is leaning heavily into the wrestling connection, offering perks tied to Ace Austin and Red Velvet. Fans can donate for rewards including a Zoom video call from set with both stars and even a chance to appear in a scene with Ace.
The cast list currently includes Rhonda Shear as Misty, Mel Heflin as Wife, Lloyd Kaufman as Husband, Rocky Ciarrocchi as The Stutterer, Ace Austin as Tom, August Seidel as Brent, Vinny Pontari as Dale, Diamond Princess Franklin as Winnie, Felicia Nguyen as Tammy, Brooke Taylor as Tiffany, John Carlo Guilino as John the Jogger, and Red Velvet in an attached role.
Ciarrocchi’s larger vision is to make The Stutterer the first part of a trilogy. While this chapter focuses on slasher horror, the next two films are expected to explore the character’s emotional past and eventually bring his story to a definitive end. Once completed, the film is planned for submission to queer and horror film festivals before a wider release.
The latest production update came on May 4, 2026, when it was revealed that Kobi Frumer, Charles Chudabala, and Louie P had officially wrapped their roles. Anders Hove, best known for playing Vampire Radu in the Subspecies films, also wrapped his virtual role.
“This weekend was alot of fun. Kobi Frumer, Charles Chudabala, and Louie P all had outstanding performances. Cant wait for everyone to see it! Kobi Frumer, Charles Chudabala, and Louie P are all officially wrapped! Anders Hove who played Vampire Radu in all Subspecies films is officially wrapped for his virtual role too!”
Bottom line, The Stutterer is not being sold as just another slasher with a few wrestling cameos tossed in for attention. It is a queer horror project with a personal message, practical gore, a planned trilogy, and a cast that somehow includes Matt Riddle, Red Velvet, Mercedes Martinez, Atsushi Onita, Ace Austin, Lloyd Kaufman, Eric Roberts, and more. That is a pretty strange combo, but in horror, strange can work.
What do you think about so many wrestling names being involved in The Stutterer? Let us know in the comments below.
