Cineverse buys horror-comedy 'Portal to Hell' for streaming
Cineverse and its horror division Bloody Disgusting have acquired U.S. VOD and streaming rights to "Portal to Hell," Woody Bess's Slamdance and Frightfest debut horror-comedy starring Keith David and Richard Kind. A limited theatrical rollout is planned ahead of Cineverse's digital release this summer, giving the indie title a wider genre audience.
The deal marks another festival pickup for Cineverse as it expands its horror streaming footprint. For readers tracking how Cineverse buys horrorcomedy portal rights play out in 2026, the acquisition pairs theatrical buzz with a direct-to-fan digital path familiar to the company's Bloody Disgusting audience.
Key Takeaways
- Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting secured U.S. VOD and streaming rights to "Portal to Hell" from Woody Bess.
- The Keith David and Richard Kind-led film debuts in select theaters before a summer digital release on Cineverse platforms.
- Raven Banner retains worldwide sales rights and continues selling territories, including at Cannes.
- Existing international deals include Lighthouse for Germany and 9th Planet for Poland.
- Dan Fisher called the film inventive, funny, and genuinely horror-forward.
Why Did Cineverse Buy 'Portal to Hell'?
Cineverse has leaned into sharp, audience-tested genre films for its streaming slate, and "Portal to Hell" fits that mold. Dan Fisher, vice president of acquisitions at Cineverse, said the movie is exactly the kind of wildly entertaining horror-comedy that Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting fans respond to.
The filmmakers echoed that enthusiasm in a statement, saying Cineverse's reach and partnership felt like the right home to bring the film to a larger audience. Raven Banner's Cecilia Brush and Michael Paszt negotiated the deal with Fisher. Raven Banner still reps worldwide rights and will sell remaining territories at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.
What Is 'Portal to Hell' About?
Written and directed by Bess, who also penned the 2024 Blacklist script "Total Landscaping," the indie horror-comedy follows Dunn (Trey Holland), a debt collector living a routine life until a portal opens in his local laundromat. A demon (Kind) arrives to drag his neighbor, Mr. Bobshank (David), to hell over an unpaid debt.
Dunn specializes in settling debts, but when the demon offers three souls in exchange for Bobshank's freedom, he refuses. The moral line blurs when one of his debtors follows him to the laundromat, forcing a choice that could cost Dunn his own soul. Romina D'Ugo, Michael McDonald, Casey Deidrick, Trevor Newlin, Ryan Follesé, Kevin Fonteyne, and Monet Weir round out the cast.
Holland, Lucas Ford, and Tom Watts produced the film through Little Shadows, in association with Hello Moon, Ford Films, This is Swington, Dalmatian Cow, and Baked Studios. Keith David, Dionne Lea Williams, Matthew Dean Russell, and George A Loucas serve as executive producers.
When and Where Can You Watch It?
Variety reports a limited theatrical rollout before Cineverse's digital release this summer. Select screenings are already scheduled across North America, including Paradise in Toronto (July 9), Laurelhurst Theater in Portland (July 24–25), Screenland Amour in Kansas City (July 31), and Cinema Art Theater in Rehoboth Beach (August 8).
Additional dates are set or pending at venues including The Independent in Huntsville, Shoals Theatre in Florence, Rio Theater in Vancouver, and Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills. For more streaming and genre release news, follow our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
What Does This Mean for Indie Horror Distribution?
The "Portal to Hell" deal illustrates how festival darlings can land hybrid release strategies without waiting for a major studio bid. Cineverse's U.S. VOD and streaming pickup complements Raven Banner's ongoing worldwide sales push, while partners like Lighthouse and 9th Planet already hold territory deals.
That structure keeps the film visible on the festival circuit and in specialty theaters while reaching horror fans digitally — a model Cineverse has used across its Bloody Disgusting-aligned slate. Full deal details were first reported by Variety.