Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska (born April 29, 1983),[1] also known as The Soska Sisters or The Twisted Twins,[2] are Canadian twin sisters who collaborate as film directors, producers and screenwriters.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] They are known for directing often violent and visceral horror movies such as Dead Hooker in a Trunk, See No Evil 2 and American Mary.[10][11][12]
Jen and Sylvia Soska | |
|---|---|
 Jen Soska (left) and Sylvia Soska (right) with actress Tristan Risk (center) at Fantastic Fest, 2014 | |
| Born | April 29, 1983 |
| Other names | Twisted Twins, The Soska Sisters |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Website | twistedtwinsproductions |
Biography
editJen and Sylvia Soska were born on April 29, 1983 in Canada. The twins graduated from Argyle Secondary School. Their love of horror began at an early age, when their mother gave in to their constant begging to watch Poltergeist.[13] Initially, they tried becoming actresses and extras, but were unsatisfied with the stereotypical twin roles they were being offered. They decided to work in the horror movie field soon thereafter.[14]
Dead Hooker in a Trunk
editJen and Sylvia briefly attended film school and wrote and directed Dead Hooker in a Trunk as a final project. The film was shot for $2,500 and released by IFC. It received an overall rating of 80% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes (4 fresh and 1 rotten review).[15] The twins starred in the film as twin sisters – Badass (Sylvia) and Geek (Jen). Highly inspired by Robert Rodriguez's Rebel Without A Crew, the Soskas sought out El Mariachi star Carlos Gallardo to play the character God.
An absurdist dark satire, Dead Hooker in a Trunk originated as a faux trailer the sisters created, annoyed when their film school cut the budget for their final project. The film had a screening cancelled by one movie theater in Saskatoon after the theater received anonymous complaints.[16]
American Mary
editFollowing their first project, the twins wrote American Mary[17][better source needed] which was shown at Film4 Fright Fest, Toronto After Dark Film Festival and Monster Fest.[2][18] The twins cast Canadian horror star Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps) as Mary Mason, and had special effects created by Masters FX. Wanting to be respectful to the body modification community, the sisters hired flesh artist Russ Foxx as a consultant to ensure authenticity.[citation needed] The film was awarded the Special Jury Award at Fantastic Fest.
Following the success of the film, the Soskas announced an American Mary television series, writing on social media: "I know a lot of you are excited and curious about an American Mary series, after Rabid we connected with Cronenberg's producers at Prospero who have been champions in developing the series. We are currently making a sci-fi thriller called Unseen together with Radar & Film Mode. In the meantime, we have been enjoying connecting with fans of the film and hearing what they want to see in the television series version. It's always been a passion to explore these characters and their lives more deeply. To understand their struggles and see their wins."[19]
ABCs of Death 2
editThe sisters directed a segment in ABCs of Death 2 titled "T is for Torture Porn", which follows an actress, Yumi, as she auditions for an adult film scene. Yumi is revealed to be a hentai monster. The film was produced by XYZ Films.[citation needed]
See No Evil 2
editJen and Sylvia Soska made two films for WWE Studios: See No Evil 2 and Vendetta.[20] See No Evil 2 again featured Katharine Isabelle.
Vendetta
editThe first film in the Lionsgate and WWE Studios Action Six Pack was the Soska Sisters' action film Vendetta, written by Justin Shady. The film stars Dean Cain as Mason Danvers, who goes into prison in pursuit of the man who killed his wife.[citation needed]
Rabid
editThe Soskas co-wrote and directed Rabid (2019), a remake of David Cronenberg's 1977 film of the same name,[21] starring Laura Vandervoort[22] and professional wrestler CM Punk.[23] Rabid had its premiere on the closing night of the 20th Annual Fright Fest in London.[citation needed]
On the Edge
editIn September 2022, the Soskas announced the premiere of their new film On the Edge, to take place at the London FrightFest Halloween festival on October 29. The film was shot and produced in Canada and co-stars Aramis Sartorio, Jen Soska, Sylvia Soska and Mackenzie Gray. The festival synopsis of the film reads, "Family man Peter gets more than he paid for when he books a 36-hour session with the sadistic Mistress Satana who seems more intent on making him suffer for his sins. Is it blackmail? Is it torture? Or is it the Devil come for his soul? Will Peter’s faith save him from his own personal Hell or is he already damned? A brilliant depiction of how Kink Culture can heal past trauma and be a source for shocking redemption."[24]
Festival of the Living Dead
editA sequel to George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead, Festival of the Living Dead was directed by the Soska Sisters in 2023 and released on Tubi April 5, 2024. The film follows Ben's grandkids and their friends 55 years after the incident. The film stars Ashley Moore, Camren Bicondova, Andre Anthony, Gage Marsh, Christian Rose, Maia Jae Bastidas, Keana Lyn Bastidas, and Shiloh O'Reilly.
Other work
editThe Soskas have written for Marvel Comics, writing a Night Nurse story for Marvel's Secret Wars Journal #5 in 2015, a short story called The Ripley with the Guardians of the Galaxy, and a Deadpool story for the first annual Avengers Halloween Special. They also wrote Black Widow, which ran for 5 issues in 2019.[25] The Soskas are writing Yaira for Rippaverse Comics releasing early 2024. The Yaira #1 preorder campaign broke company records making a million dollars within 24 hours of launch. Their next comic they will be writing for Rippaverse Comics is of the character Bloodruth who was first introduced in the second issue of Isom.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Film | Producer | Director | Writer | Actor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Josie and the Pussycats |  | |||
| 2009 | Dead Hooker in a Trunk | |
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| 2012 | American Mary | |
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| 2014 | ABCs of Death 2 | |
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| 2014 | See No Evil 2 | |
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| 2015 | Vendetta | |
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| 2015 | Dead Rising: Watchtower | | |||
| 2016 | The Blackburn Asylum | | |||
| 2019 | Rabid | |
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| 2022 | On the Edge | |
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| 2024 | Festival of the Living Dead | |
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Television
edit| Year | Show | Actor | Host | Episode(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Kyle XY | |
"I've Had the Time of My Life" | |
| 2015 | Hellevator | |
|
Starring role |
References
edit- ^ Leiren-Young, Mark. "Vancouver's Soska Sisters bring the madness to Whistler Film Festival". Canada.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Twisted sisters stick the knife into their latest film American Mary". if.com.au. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ Torrevillas, Phylicia. "Call them the twisted sisters". Metro Vancouver. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ Whittington, James. "Exclusive Interview With Jen And Sylvia Soska, Directors Of Dead Hooker In A Trunk". Horror Channel. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ Christie, Greg. "Boozie Movies! Dead Hooker in a Trunk Review". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "IFC Midnight Picks Up Dead Hooker in a Trunk for Limited Theatrical and VOD Release". Joblo.com. July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Bloody Disgusting". Bloody Disgusting. July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Film Review: Dead Hooker In A Trunk". Brutalashell.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Rants and Raves". KPBS. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ Jett, Kristy. "Soska Sister talks "AMERICAN MARY" casting and more". Fangoria. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ "American Mary". Dread Central. April 19, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ Freville, Bob. "Soska Twins Talk About Ass-Kicking, Hookers & American Mary". Kotorimagazine.com. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ Rose, Steve (January 11, 2013). "The Soska sisters are the new faces of horror". The Guardian. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "About Us". Twisted Twins Productions. 2011. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "Dead Hooker in a Trunk". Rotten Tomatoes. December 31, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ "Dead Hooker in a Trunk Banned". April 11, 2011.
- ^ "Sylvia Soska - Biography". imdb.com. 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "American Mary". Rotten Tomatoes. May 31, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ "Soska Sisters Announce American Mary TV Show". ComicBook. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Vendetta". Rotten Tomatoes. June 12, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ "David Cronenberg's 'Rabid' Remake: Soska Sisters Ready Their 'Continuation' of Body Horror Classic with 'Female Perspective'". February 15, 2018.
- ^ "'Supergirl' & 'Jigsaw' Star Laura Vandervoort Joins Reboot of David Cronenberg's Horror Classic 'Rabid' – Cannes". May 11, 2018.
- ^ "411Mania".
- ^ "StackPath". www.thehollywoodnews.com. September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (October 7, 2018). "The Soska Sisters to Write New 'Black Widow' Comic Book Series". The Hollywood Reporter.