Magnolia Pictures has released the official trailer for Never After Dark, a Japanese ghost story thriller directed by American filmmaker Dave Boyle. The film, which premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival earlier this year, is scheduled to open in select US theaters on September 25, 2026. This release places the film in cinemas just before the traditional horror season. The announcement provides the first official look at the film’s marketing materials, including a poster, sourced from YouTube.
The narrative centers on Airi, a wandering medium played by Moeka Hoshi, who is best known for her role as Usami Fuji in the Shogun series. Airi spends her life guiding restless spirits from the world of the living, accompanied by her dead sister Miku, portrayed by Kurumi Inagaki. The plot intensifies when Airi is summoned to an isolated country house to exorcise a spirit for the new owner, Teiko, played by Tae Kimura. During this task, Airi encounters a grotesque apparition possessing powers that defy her previous experiences.
As the story progresses, Airi faces skepticism from Teiko’s son, Gunji, played by Kento Kako. She investigates the house’s past until a secret emerges, leading to Airi being hunted by a far more unpredictable force. The film’s central conflict shifts as Airi’s greatest adversary becomes not the supernatural, but the living. This dynamic distinguishes the film from standard supernatural thrillers by introducing human antagonism to the ghost story framework.
The full cast includes Hoshi, Inagaki, Kento Kaku, Mutsuo Yoshioka, Bokuzō Masana, and Tae Kimura. The film is produced by Kento Kaku, Dave Boyle, and Kosuke Tsutsumi. Boyle, who has previously directed films such as Big Dreams Little Tokyo, White on Rice, Surrogate Valentine, Daylight Savings, and Man from Reno, also directed the recent House of Ninjas series.
Early reviews for the film have been largely positive. One review described it as a “bewitching J-Horror examination of mortality & monsters” that “flickers with this addictive liveliness despite its deceased characters. ” The trade report notes that the film is worth a look even for viewers who are not typical horror fans. The trailer and poster are available on YouTube, providing a visual preview of the film’s atmospheric tone.
The release date of September 25, 2026, marks the film’s arrival in US cinemas. The trailer serves as the primary promotional tool for this upcoming release. No further details regarding wide distribution or digital availability have been announced in the provided source material. The film remains a select theatrical release at this stage.