The Severed Sun

The Severed Sun is a 2024 British horror film that marks the feature debut of Dean Puckett. It is produced by Rebecca Wolff of Grasp the Nettle Films and Jude Goldrei of Lunar Lander Films. It stars Emma Appleton, Toby Stephens and Lewis Gribben.

The Severed Sun
Film poster
Directed by	Dean Puckett
Screenplay by	Dean Puckett
Produced by	Rebecca Wolff Jude Goldrei
Starring	Emma Appleton Lewis Gribben Toby Stephens Barney Harris
Cinematography	Ian Forbes
Edited by	Paco Sweetman
Music by	Brain Rays, James Forde Stewart and Thomas Michael Williams (Unknown Horrors)
Production companies	BFI BBC Film iFeatures Heatseeker Media Lunar Lander Films Grasp the Nettle Films
Distributed by	Blue Finch Film Releasing[1]
Release date	September 22, 2024 (2024-09-22) (Fantastic Fest)
Running time	80 minutes[1]
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Severed Sun premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2024.

Synopsis

A witch hunt takes its toll upon a small religious community following the unexplained death of a town member.^[2]

Cast

• Emma Appleton
• Toby Stephens
• Lewis Gribben
• Jodhi May
• Barney Harris
• Oliver Maltman
• James Swanton
• Eoin Slattery

Production

Development

The film is loosely based on Puckett's 2018 short The Sermon. The film has developed slowly with Puckett keen to keep control of the project rather than cede to industry executives.^[3] The film has also been called I Feel Blood, Magpie, and The Heretic during its development.^[4][5] The film was developed as part of the BFI, BBC Film, and Creative UK's iFeatures program. The film has Rebecca Wolff of Grasp the Nettle Films and Jude Goldrei of Lunar Lander Films producing.^[6] The film was titled The Severed Sun when it received additional financing from newly the established Heatseeker Media for independent productions. It is set to be the first project delivered via the fund.^[7]

Filming

Filming took place on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Principal photography wrapped in June 2023.^[8]

Casting

The cast in 2021 was set to include Tuppence Middleton, Max Harwood, and Thomas Turgoose.^[4] By the 2023 production, the film featured Emma Appleton, Jodhi May, Lewis Gribben, Barney Harris, Oliver Maltman, James Swanton, and Toby Stephens.^[9]