Muck-Up Day marks a significant milestone as the debut horror feature for producers Jessica Liley (JM Liley Productions) and Simon Bell (Chooseday Studios). Written by Liley, the film tells the story of Becky and a group of prank-pulling senior students who, on the eve of Muck-Up Day, are trapped inside their school and hunted by a legendary softball mask wearing serial killer.
Nick Kozakis, set to direct, expresses his deep connection to the project: “This isn’t just a fun gorefest,” highlighting the nuanced storytelling and emotional depth of the script, “there’s chunks of Jess’ heart in the script.” He elaborates on the complex character dynamics, particularly the lead’s personal struggle, adding, “The fact that our lead is struggling to come out as gay to her overbearing mother, trying to find her voice and independence, whilst dealing with a psycho maniac tearing her friends in half, adds these incredible layers of richness, it’s something you crave in a script as a director.”
Nick’s collaboration with Simon Bell ignited at this year’s AACTA Awards, where Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism secured three nominations. Their shared passion for the horror genre and slashers laid the foundation for this partnership. “It was a combination of Simon Bell and I connecting at an awards ceremony and our love for horror…Then you add Jess and Kiah Roache-Turner…it’s actually a dream come true!” Nick shares his enthusiasm for joining forces with such iconic talent.
Jessica Liley and the team see Muck-Up Day as an opportunity to carve out a unique space for Australian horror on the global stage. “Muck-Up Day is an opportunity to show the world that an Australian masked killer can be just as terrifying, infamous, and iconic as those who have come before,” says Jessica, who is thrilled about the collaboration with Kiah and Nick, acknowledging their significant contributions to the genre.
Kiah Roache-Turner shares his excitement: “I’m such a big fan of Jess’s and her talent and love of the genre was immediately apparent to me…I think this is going to be the definitive Aussie teen slasher extravaganza!”
With its blend of humour, terror, and gripping storytelling, Muck-Up Day is poised to become a classic in Australian horror cinema. The production is set to commence in late 2024, promising a film that not only honours the legacy of its genre but also sets new benchmarks for horror worldwide.
