2025’s highly anticipated New Zealand horror movieThe Rule Of Jenny Penwill arrive in cinemas soon, with a streaming release shortly after its premiere.The Rule Of Jenny Penbegan life as a short story by celebrated New Zealand author Owen Marshall. After director James Ashcroft’s 2021 adaptation of another Marshall story,Coming Home in the Dark, became a critical success, the director brought The Rule Of Jenny Pento life on screen.

The Rule Of Jenny Penstars Geoffrey Rush as a retired judge who begins living in a care home after a stroke. Rush’s protagonist soon finds himself at the mercy of John Lithgow’s unhinged fellow patient, who seemingly uses the titular puppet to control the rest of the remote care home’s residents.John Lithgow’s horror moviewill be released on the streaming service Shudder later in March, but firstThe Rule Of Jenny Penwill arrive in cinemas.

The Rule of Jenny Pen - Poster

IFC gaveThe Rule Of Jenny Pena August 21, 2025 release datefor the start of its exclusive theatrical run. With a 64% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes, it is fair to say that this New Zealand horror movie’s blend of black comedy and psychological horror won over reviewers. However,The Rule Of Jenny Pen’s reception has not been as unambiguously positive as that of the less starryComing Home in the Dark, which earned a superb 92% on the same site.

Find Showtimes For The Rule Of Jenny Pen

Theatrical showtimes from Friday, March 7, onward can be found via the links below:

The Rule Of Jenny Pen Starts Streaming On Shudder On June 26, 2025

The New Zealand Horror Movie Arrives On Streaming Three Weeks Later

For viewers who don’t want to endure the horrors of Jenny Penn’s reign on the big screen,The Rule Of Jenny Penwill begin streaming on Shudder on March 28.The Rule Of Jenny Penwill be distributed exclusively in theaters for three weeks before becoming available to home viewers via Shudder.The Rule Of Jenny Pen’s releaseis made all the more exciting by praise from no less than horror legend Stephen King. King calledThe Rule Of Jenny Pen“One of the best movies I’ve seen this year” before urging readers to view the movie on Shudder.

When Will The Rule Of Jenny Pen Release On Digital?

The Rule Of Jenny Pen’s Digital Release Should Arrive By March 28

Based on the streaming release date,The Rule Of Jenny Penwill arrive on digital no later than March 28.The Rule Of Jenny Penmarks a step-up for director Ashcroft thanks to its starrier cast, although his sophomore effort has a lot in common with its predecessor.Coming Home in the DarkandThe Rule Of Jenny Penboth use Marshall’s psychological horror tropes as a vector for social commentary, and both movies explore themes of aging, regret, and social coercion.

Thanks to the presence of Lithgow and Rush,The Rule Of Jenny Penis one of 2025’s more exciting indie horrors. Its surreal premise could have ended up more silly than scary, but high praise from King proves that Ashcroft struck the right balance in his second adaptation of a Marshall story. As such, horror fans will want to seek outThe Rule Of Jenny Penonce it arrives in theaters, on streaming, and on digital in March 2025.

A composite image of Geoffrey Rush and Jenny from The Rule of Jenny Pen