The brutal and groundbreaking slasher A Soldier’s Descent, written by horror veteran Phil Herman, continues to build momentum with the announcement that Jennifer Banko has joined the cast.
Banko is a familiar face to horror fans, having starred in classics like Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, and Barb Wire, as well as television favorites Pacific Palisades and Sunset Beach.
Also recently announced is Kaitlyn Trentham, fresh off The Jester 2, a Dread Central release that hit theaters nationwide last month and will stream on Apple+ starting October 17.
Directed by Carissa Pierson, the film is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about independent horror projects in recent years.
Banko joins an already powerhouse lineup of genre names:
Andrew Pierson (Return of the Living Dead: Trash’s Revenge, Witchcraft XVII: The Initiation, Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light)
J. Gaven Wilde (The Righteous Gemstones, The Black Phone, Halloween Kills)
Laurene Landon (Airplane II: The Sequel, Maniac Cop)
Sandy Johnson (Halloween)
Joseph Poliquin (Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Purge)
Kristina Lafser (Bad Apples, Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light)
In addition to the high-profile cast, over 15 Veterans are involved in the production, lending authenticity and depth to the film’s exploration of military trauma and its psychological aftermath.
A Soldier’s Descent isn’t just a slasher — it’s a historic first for horror. The film tackles PTSD, survivor’s guilt, veteran suicide, substance abuse, and domestic violence in a raw, real-world setting, showing these issues with unflinching honesty. With 22 Veterans tragically taking their own lives every day, the film confronts these crises head-on while merging true-to-life trauma with slasher intensity. By doing so, it promises to shock, disturb, and challenge audiences in ways horror has never done before.
Director Carissa Pierson explained:
“Horror has always been about facing our fears, but with this film, we’re confronting the kind of fear that lingers long after the credits roll. We’re telling a story that’s raw, human, and terrifying in a way audiences have never seen. This is horror that refuses to play it safe.”
Filming begins this November in North Carolina at key locations:
Charlie Mike’s Pub in Fayetteville — a veteran-favorite spot known for its authentic atmosphere.
Madison Dry Goods Country Store and Museum — featured on 28 Days Haunted (Netflix).
The Myers House NC — a life-size replica of Michael Myers’ childhood home, beloved by horror fans.
Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft Park in Fayetteville — for tactical, action-packed sequences.
The iconic vehicle from It Follows — connecting the film to modern horror history.
The film is written by Phil Herman, a horror filmmaker with over 30 years of experience. Herman’s decades of storytelling mastery and genre expertise ensure every scene is packed with intensity and emotional depth, crafting a slasher that’s both brutal and historically significant.
The movie is currently crowdfunding on Indiegogo, giving fans an exclusive chance to grab movie swag, producer credits, and more — and become part of this groundbreaking horror project from the ground up.
With icons like Jennifer Banko and a fearless creative team at the helm, A Soldier’s Descent is poised to make history — a slasher that is as emotionally raw, socially impactful, and real as it is terrifying.