If you’re into horror that touches on friendship, loneliness, and the end of the world brought on by creatures from beyond the veil between this world and the next— and the great abyss— then you’ll find A.T. White’s feature debut of interest.

Starfish‘s new trailer is out and it gives us a look at what looks like a deeply existential journey through a horror and sci-fi wasteland, as one woman (Virginia Gardner— know for her roles as Karolina Dean in Marvel’s Runaways & Vicky in David Gordon Green’s Halloween) faces a seemingly empty world after the apocalypse begins.
White’s film uses a mixtape as one of its focal points— for those too young to know, the mixtape was a key, and a tool, for relationships. This little part of the plot hints at a highly emotional core to this cosmic horror, and sets up an interesting premise for a story taking place during an apocalyptic event.

Aside from the plot, the film contains effects by Marc Hutchings (Guardians of the Galaxy, Assassin’s Creed, Iron Man 3) and his team at Spill Studios. The press release assures his work— alongside the U.K. based company CineSite— will bring a “unique and grounded Lovecraft vision.”
Also of note is an anime sequence designed and created by Tezuka Productions (Astro Boy). It’s obvious from the talent assembled White’s using everything at his disposal to set his film apart from others of its ilk.
The release from 1091 describes Starfish‘s plot as follows:

When a mysterious signal from an unknown dimension summons the end of days,
it appears as if only Aubrey (Virginia Gardner)
is left on earth.

Trapped in the apartment of her recently deceased best friend, the only clue she has is a single cassette left behind after her friend’s death, labelled:
“THIS MIXTAPE WILL SAVE THE WORLD.”

Thrust into a mystery orchestrated by her friend and stricken with grief,
Aubrey begins to piece the clues together,
uncovering a series of tapes all
with pieces of the mystery signal.
Along the way, progress is impeded when monstrous creatures begin to overrun
the world and close in on her.
Aubrey is forced to fight off the encroaching creatures and move beyond her own crippling grief
in order to find the remaining tapes.

But will completing The Signal save the world?

Starfish had its world premiere at Austin’s celebrated Fantastic Fest
and had a limited theatrical release in the US.
The film hits VOD on May 28th.