Horror Film The Cycle to Premiere in Astoria
The locally shot feature hits the Liberty Theatre on October 24 following its digital debut.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Horror
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Director Jordan Downey brings his acclaimed horror film The Cycle to the Liberty Theatre in Astoria for a special premiere on October 24, 2026. The event follows the movie's initial digital release on the Shudder channel on October 23, 2026.
Why it matters
The screening offers residents a chance to view the production on the big screen in the city where it was filmed. All donations collected at the event will support the Oregon Film Museum.
The film currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while the official trailer has garnered 329,000 views. Proceeds from donations at the local screening will be gifted to the Oregon Film Museum.
The players
Jordan Downey
He is the director of the horror film The Cycle.
Stephen King
He is a prolific author known for his work in the horror and supernatural fiction genres.
Shudder
This is a premium streaming service specializing in horror, thriller, and supernatural content.
Oregon Film Museum
This institution preserves the history of cinema production within the state of Oregon.
Liberty Theatre
Located in Astoria, this historic venue hosts community events and cinematic screenings.
The details
The Cycle, directed by Jordan Downey, was filmed on location in Astoria and is currently available for streaming on Shudder and AMC+. Entry for the October 24 screening is free, though seating is available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Timeline
September 1, 2026: Stephen King shared a review of the film on X.
October 23, 2026: The film premieres on the Shudder channel.
October 24, 2026: The Astoria premiere takes place at 7:15 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows the strategy of leveraging niche streaming platforms like Shudder to build hype before regional theatrical events. Such dual-distribution models are becoming standard as filmmakers attempt to maximize reach across digital audiences and local markets.
Residents can attend the free premiere on a first-come, first-served basis at the Liberty Theatre. Viewers choosing to watch from home can access the film via Shudder, which offers a seven-day free trial.
The takeaway
The film demonstrates the ongoing success of genre-specific streaming services in launching independent features. Potential viewers should aim to arrive early for the Astoria screening due to the first-come, first-served entry policy.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest releases in the Horror section.
More information
To see the project in action, watch the official movie trailer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Astorian.
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