R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead is a 2025 American horror film directed by Jem Garrard from a screenplay by Jem Garrard. The film is set to be released on movie platforms on October 17, 2025.
The film develops a mystery surrounding the disappearance of the protagonist's brother, in which dozens of people — including his loved ones — seem to have no memory of his brother ever existing. In the small town of Redhaven, sinister phenomena begin to occur, related to a curse on the harvest and strange manifestations in the pumpkin fields. The big question is: What is really "“Pumpkinhead” and how does it fit into the disappearance and the horror that begins to grow?
Director Jem Garrard builds an atmosphere that balances between youth horror and folkloric ominousness—a sense of foggy nights, pumpkin fields, shadows, and whispering mysteries.
Aesthetically, the film draws from classic Halloween motifs, but with a modern vision — fields, country roads, pumpkin shades and dark corners that create a feeling of both nostalgia and fear.
The music and sound design accentuate the tension—sounds of creaking branches, wind, the echo of empty fields, and muted, somber tones.
The first trailers and promotional materials show visual promise and interest in the concept.
Since the film is young, there aren't many extensive professional reviews yet, but media sources like The Hollywood Reporter they already mention the main conflict (disappearance and oblivion) and the horror elements in the plot.
The film has the potential to become a new youth horror hit, especially during the Halloween season, with its combination of mystery, supernatural suspense, and emotional drama.
