Psychological Horror Film The Kept Debuted in Tempe
The film, written by Ashley King and created by students, premiered at Pollack Tempe Cinemas.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Horror
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The psychological horror film The Kept has officially debuted at Pollack Tempe Cinemas. Filmmaker Ashley King wrote the project after spending time at a family cabin in Pine.
Why it matters
The project highlights local filmmaking efforts, having been shot across Rim Country locations with a crew of students from Scottsdale Community College.
The production featured a crew of 16 students from Scottsdale Community College. The script was finalized following a six-week writing period.
The players
Ashley King
She is the filmmaker and writer behind the psychological horror movie The Kept.
Scottsdale Community College
This educational institution provided the 16 students who served as the film crew.
The details
Ashley King developed the horror feature while in isolation at a family cabin in Pine. The production team utilized various settings across the broader Rim Country region for filming.
Timeline
Six years ago, Ashley King traveled to her family cabin in Pine to begin work.
The Kept officially premiered at Pollack Tempe Cinemas on September 29, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows the documented trend of filmmakers using local, remote landscapes to build atmospheric tension in independent horror. This approach allows smaller productions to compete with larger studios by emphasizing unique location-based storytelling.
Local viewers can currently access the film at Pollack Tempe Cinemas following its recent release. Future screenings are being planned for audiences in the Payson area as the production seeks wider distribution.
The takeaway
Small-scale productions often benefit from intense, isolated creative periods to establish a distinct tone. Aspiring filmmakers can note how utilizing local students and natural landscapes can help bring a feature-length vision to life.
What happens next
The filmmaker is currently negotiating a potential premiere for the film at Sawmill Theatres in Payson for the fall of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest independent thrillers in our Horror section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Paysonroundup.
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