The Last Time: ‘Walking Dead’ Star & ‘Starship Troopers’ Icon Are Gonna Face A Time-Bending Creature
The upcoming horror-thriller “The Last Time” has officially started production, and while Chandler Riggs (“The Walking Dead”) and Casper Van Dien (“Starship Troopers”) caught our attention, it’s the creature design that has us sweating. If you’ve been waiting for a monster movie that blends emotional trauma with high-concept sci-fi scares, this might just be the indie gem of the year.
A Cast That Hits Right in the Nostalgia
We’ve got Chandler Riggs leading the pack, returning to the horror genre feels like a homecoming, and hopefully with both eyes this time. He’s joined by Casper Van Dien ( got myself a soft spot for “Starship Troopers”), who’s been crushing it in the indie scene lately, and his presence usually guarantees a good time.
Two outstanding actors jumping into the fray wouldn’t be complete without a squad just as crazy as they are. Rounding out the group for “The Last Time” is an eclectic ensemble: Jake Satow (“The Dropout”), Dominic Burgess (“American Horror Story“), and John D’Aquino (“Wildside”).
The Last Time: Get Ready To Feel The Pain!… Emotionally ‘Sniff’
Horror is always better when it makes you cry before the jumpscare. “The Last Time” centers on a cursed antique hourglass that can transport a person back to the last moment they last saw a loved one while they were still alive. Sounds too good to be true? Yes, because it says it’s a cursed object. And with every object with a “monkey’s paw” price, this one has a supernatural being attached to it.
The protagonist is a grieving college swimmer who hunts down the hourglass, hoping for closure with a deceased loved one. However, the item’s ability comes with a price, as a predatory entity begins to feed off of the swimmer’s grief. The entity uses that despair and desire of a mourner to entice them into a dreamscape of memories and time, where it can continue to consume its prey. I’m imagining a “Cloverfield”-like monster with the abilities of a Weeping Angel from “Doctor Who.” What a gut punch.
Mythical Monster Made by Legendary Designer
A creature with a sick ability like that has to have a killer look, and the owners agreed on that front. The monster in “The Last Time” is being created and designed by the extremely talented Neville Page! He has an excellent record of creating absolutely nightmarish fiends such as Clover from “Cloverfield,” the beings of “Avatar”, and let’s not forget his work in “Prometheus.”
Page commented on the project, noting in a Deadline article, “The creature emerges from both emotion and mythology.” This suggests we aren’t just getting a big scary beast but a symbolic and ancient being. Director Shane Brady mentioned he’s “living a dream” working with Page on this film. A monster that feeds on grief is destined to have a terrifying, surreal character design. If it’s anything like his previous work, expect something that looks biological, plausible, and absolutely disturbing.
“The Last Time’s” director Shane Brady mentioned he’s “living a dream” working with Page on this film. This project is also quite dear to Brady, as he and producer Persephone Hawkins are shooting this in Tampa and the Gulf Coast. Both are treating this film like a homegrown passion project, and that enthusiasm usually translates on screen. A homegrown film with a major creature designer that hits close to all of us, wanting to have one last chance with someone long gone from this world.
Final Thoughts: A Timeless Creature With A Timeless Concept
We are currently living in the era of “elevated horror,” where ghosts are usually metaphors for trauma. “The Last Time” is leaning into that metaphorical genre as it explores the very human, very painful desire to live in the past, and shows us why it’s a dangerous place to be. Production is currently underway, so keep your eyes peeled for a trailer and hope Riggs can survive this deadly trip down memory lane.
