Prepare for a revolutionary cinematic experience as ‘Control Your Fear,’ an interactive ghost-hunting movie filmed at the notoriously haunted Malvern Manor, is set to debut in April 2026. Powered by CtrlMovie technology, this groundbreaking film promises to transform passive viewers into active participants, blurring the lines between reality, technology, and audience-driven paranormal investigation.
The world of paranormal investigation is about to undergo a radical transformation with the upcoming release of ‘Control Your Fear.’ This isn’t just another ghost-hunting documentary; it’s an immersive, interactive cinematic experience filmed at one of America’s most reportedly haunted locations, Malvern Manor. Set to debut in April 2026, the film leverages proprietary CtrlMovie technology to invite audiences directly into the heart of a live paranormal investigation, allowing their decisions to shape the narrative and outcome.
Announced exclusively by Variety in October 2025, the project comes from the creative minds of Andrew Zeiderman (known for reality hits like “KPopped” and “Southern Charm”) and Scott C. Silver (whose credits include “The Pyramid” and “Wheelman”). Their combined expertise hints at a unique blend of authentic reality-based tension and compelling cinematic storytelling.
The Interactive Edge: CtrlMovie Technology at Play
At the core of ‘Control Your Fear’ lies the innovative CtrlMovie technology from Kino Industries. This system, detailed on CtrlMovie’s official website, is designed to facilitate real-time audience interaction, allowing viewers to make collective or individual choices that directly influence the unfolding events within the film. Unlike traditional linear narratives, CtrlMovie offers multiple pathways and endings, ensuring a unique experience with every viewing.
Viewers can access this groundbreaking experience across a wide array of compatible devices, including major gaming systems, tablets, and mobile phones. This accessibility means that whether you’re alone or with friends, your choices will play a critical role in how the paranormal investigation progresses, creating a truly personalized and gameified viewing.
Scott C. Silver emphasized this interactive leap, stating, “This isn’t a game or a show; it’s a completely new kind of experience that blurs the line between spectator and participant.” This sentiment is echoed by director Andrew Zeiderman, who noted that fans will no longer just watch the hunt, but will be “inside it,” facing the fear for themselves. This bold claim sets a high bar for the film’s immersion and fan engagement.
Malvern Manor: A Haunting Canvas for Reality and Fear
The choice of Malvern Manor in Iowa as the filming location is no coincidence. Widely regarded as one of the most haunted locations in the United States, the manor provides an authentic and chilling backdrop for the paranormal investigation. Its extensive history, reportedly filled with tragic events and lingering spirits, makes it a prime candidate for genuine paranormal activity, enhancing the film’s claim of “unprecedented authenticity.”
During production, every encounter within the manor was captured live using a combination of modern ghost-hunting equipment, time-honored spiritual methods, and various divination techniques. This approach aimed to deliver an unfiltered and often terrifying investigation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the paranormal genre. The cast and crew themselves documented numerous moments that challenged their perceptions of reality.
The Investigators: A Trio of Diverse Perspectives
‘Control Your Fear’ follows three distinct real-life personalities, each bringing a unique background and belief system to the investigation:
- Jake Bruce: An online ghost hunter and social-media influencer, Jake brings a contemporary investigator’s eye, likely utilizing digital tools and modern methodologies.
- Bri Luna: Co-founder of The Hoodwitch and a leading modern mystic, Bri offers a deeply spiritual and intuitive perspective, possibly incorporating ritualistic or divinatory practices.
- Alexandra Deaver: A ghost-hunting enthusiast and a direct descendant of a Salem witch-trial victim, Alexandra connects the historical past to the present, bringing a personal and ancestral dimension to the quest.
This diverse ensemble promises a multifaceted approach to the paranormal, allowing viewers to weigh different perspectives as they collectively decide the fate of the investigation.
Beyond the Screen: Audience-Driven Storytelling
The film’s synopsis highlights the core promise: “Together, they step into the dark—but only the audience will decide how deep they go.” This places an immense responsibility and thrill on the viewer, transforming mere observation into active participation. The collective decision-making process facilitated by CtrlMovie technology creates a shared experience, almost like a communal game night, but with potentially terrifying consequences for the onscreen investigators.
This approach moves beyond simple “choose-your-own-adventure” formats by integrating the “authenticity of a real paranormal investigation.” The resulting hybrid aims to be a compelling blend of reality television, interactive gaming, and traditional horror cinema, offering a fresh take on the ghost-hunting genre.
The Future of Paranormal Entertainment
‘Control Your Fear’ is poised to be more than a standalone film. Director Andrew Zeiderman explicitly stated that Malvern Manor is “the first haunted location to be encountered in our series of paranormal experiences.” This revelation confirms plans for an expanded universe of interactive ghost-hunting adventures, setting the stage for future installments at other infamous haunted sites.
This commitment to a series, combined with the innovative use of CtrlMovie technology, signals a new era for fan communities dedicated to the paranormal. For enthusiasts, this means not just consuming content, but actively shaping it, engaging in a truly dynamic and unpredictable exploration of the unknown. As fans eagerly await its April 2026 debut, ‘Control Your Fear’ is ready to redefine what it means to hunt ghosts from the comfort of your own home, making you an essential part of the story.
