Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe Are Hunted by a Masked Killer in Trailer for Slasher Horror RIVER

Getting stranded on a river with a broken boat and no cell service sounds bad enough. Throw in a terrifying masked killer watching from the shore, and you've got yourself a pretty nasty survival situation.

That's exactly what awaits Jane Levyand Jessica Rothe in the upcoming slasher horror film River, and the first trailer looks awesome!

Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have released the first official trailer for the film, which became one of the biggest horror hits at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Following its acclaimed premiere in the festival's Midnight Madness section, River was picked up for a theatrical release, and horror fans won't have to wait too long to check it out.

The story follows three estranged siblings, played by Levy, Rothe, and Max Mattern, who return to their rural hometown following their father's death. Hoping to honor his memory, they take a boat trip down a remote river to scatter his ashes at his favorite spot.

Unfortunately, their family reunion takes a horrifying turn when their boat breaks down, leaving them stranded without cell service. Making matters much worse, a mysterious masked figure, played by Dane DiLiegro, begins hunting them.

The trailer offers a taste of the nightmare awaiting these siblings, with the isolated river location making their situation especially terrifying. There's nowhere to run, help isn't coming, and the killer seems determined to make sure nobody gets out alive.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Joshua Giuliano, who also wrote the screenplay. Giuliano previously directed several short films, and judging by the early response to River, his first feature has made quite an impression.

The project comes from producers Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund of Eat the Cat, along with Steven Schneider through his production company Spooky Pictures. The producing team also has connections to the upcoming horror projects Backrooms and Obsession.

I'm always up for a good slasher, especially one that puts its characters in a location where escaping the killer seems practically impossible. The premise is simple, the setting is creepy, and the trailer makes this look like a brutal little horror movie worth keeping on your radar.

Universal Pictures and Blumhouse will release River in theaters on January 15, 2027. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!