Chris LaMartina’s Spirit Tasting Unveils Official Theatrical Roadshow Trailer Ahead of Nationwide Tour and World Premiere

The landscape of independent horror is preparing for a potent new concoction as writer and director Chris LaMartina unleashes the official theatrical roadshow trailer for his highly anticipated thriller, Spirit Tasting. Known by genre enthusiasts for his modern seasonal classic WNUF Halloween Special, LaMartina returns with a feature that blends post-punk sensibilities with classic cautionary folklore. The film is scheduled to make its world premiere at Baltimore’s historic Senator Theatre, kicking off an extensive, multi-city theatrical roadshow across the United States.

Described by creators and early industry insiders as a post-punk riff on W.W. Jacobs’ classic horror short story The Monkey’s Paw, Spirit Tasting transports audiences into a chilling New Year’s Eve scenario. The narrative centers on three former punk rock musicians—portrayed by Sean Doherty, Melissa LaMartina, and Trevor Wilhelms—who gather at a secluded distillery to toast the memory of their late bandmate as the calendar prepares to turn.

The somber reunion takes a bizarre and sinister turn with the arrival of a mysterious sommelier, played by Matt Lake. Offering the trio an exclusive, top-shelf tasting experience at the fictional Red Bat Distillery, the enigmatic host reveals a terrifying catch: every bottle poured requires a wish, and every desire inevitably twists into a catastrophic doom. As the night unfolds, the old friends must confront the reality that indulgence at the Red Bat comes with a profoundly deadly price tag.

The Origin Story and Media Rollout

The path to Spirit Tasting’s theatrical debut has been strategically mapped out to maximize genre visibility. Director Chris LaMartina first teased the existence and impending release of the project during an appearance on Shudder’s popular horror showcase, The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, where he appeared to screen the enduringly popular WNUF Halloween Special. During the broadcast, LaMartina casually noted that his newest cinematic endeavor would materialize before the conclusion of the year.

Just three days following the television broadcast, the formal industry announcement landed at Variety, instantly cementing the film as a high-priority title for indie horror aficionados heading into the winter release window. The swift transition from television tease to major trade announcement highlighted the strong industry confidence behind LaMartina’s brand of DIY-rooted, highly stylized genre filmmaking.

Creative Team and Star-Studded Cameos

Behind the camera, Spirit Tasting is anchored by a veteran team of independent horror creators. The screenplay was co-written by Chris LaMartina and Michael Varrati, with LaMartina also taking on directorial and editing duties. Production duties are shared by Melissa LaMartina, Chris LaMartina, Michael Varrati, and Ted Geoghegan, with genre stalwart Ryan Graveface stepping in as Executive Producer.

In front of the lens, the principal cast features Sean Doherty, Matt Lake, Melissa LaMartina, Trevor Wilhelms, Matt Baughman, Cate Paris, and Tatiana Nya Ford. However, the production has also generated significant pre-release buzz for an eclectic roster of notable cameo appearances from prominent figures within the modern horror and literary communities. Notable guest turns feature horror author Grady Hendrix, novelist and playwright Clay McLeod Chapman, drag icon and cultural fixture Peaches Christ, and comedian and podcast host Henry Zebrowski. This convergence of indie cinema talent and horror influencers positions the film as a celebratory cross-section of contemporary dark entertainment.

The Theatrical Roadshow and Home Video Strategy

Rejecting the traditional, passive VOD-first distribution model that dominates much of the contemporary independent film market, the team behind Spirit Tasting has opted for an old-school theatrical roadshow approach. This grassroots touring model ensures that the film’s release remains a community event rather than merely a digital content drop.

Filmmaker Chris LaMartina and select members of the cast will accompany the film across its entire national itinerary, appearing in person at every scheduled stop to deliver introductory remarks and participate in post-screening Q&A sessions. This direct engagement strategy allows creators of indie features to foster immediate, loyal audiences and recreate the communal, late-night midnight movie atmosphere that inspired the project.

Simultaneously, producers have confirmed that the theatrical run will be complemented by a physical media release. Spirit Tasting is slated to pour onto Blu-Ray, outfitted with a robust collection of top-shelf bonus features. Most notably, the physical release will include a comprehensive, feature-length making-of documentary, offering fans an unvarnished look at the grueling yet rewarding process of independent genre filmmaking in the modern era.

Comprehensive Roadshow Tour Dates and Locations

For fans eager to catch the roadshow presentation, the tour spans major cultural hubs and historic cinema venues across the country. The complete schedule for the Spirit Tasting theatrical tour is as follows:

• Thursday, November 12th: Baltimore, MD – The Senator Theatre (World Premiere)
• Friday, November 20th: Chicago, IL – The Music Box Theatre
• Saturday, November 21st: Minneapolis, MN – The Heights Theater
• Saturday, December 5th: Los Angeles, CA – Los Feliz 3
• Saturday, December 26th: Philadelphia, PA – PhilaMOCA
• Sunday, December 27th: Red Bank, NJ – Basie Center Cinemas
• Monday, December 28th: Brooklyn, NY – The Twisted Spine
• Tuesday, December 29th: Seymour, CT – Strand Theater
• Wednesday, December 30th: Providence, RI – AS220
• Thursday, December 31st: Salem, MA – Cinema Salem
• Friday, January 1st: Catskill, NY – Community Theater
• Saturday, January 2nd: Wind Gap, PA – The Gap Theatre
• Saturday, January 16th: Ashburn, VA – Alamo Drafthouse One Loudoun
• Sunday, January 17th: Harrisburg, PA – Midtown Cinemas

Broader Implications for Independent Genre Cinema

The release strategy and cultural positioning of Spirit Tasting offer a compelling case study in the modern economics of independent horror. While major studios increasingly rely on algorithmic streaming data and wide, homogenized theatrical footprints, filmmakers like LaMartina continue to prove the viability of hyper-targeted, community-driven distribution.

By leaning into physical media preservation via comprehensive Blu-Ray packages and treating theatrical screenings as live events complete with creator Q&As, projects like Spirit Tasting cultivate dedicated fanbases that transcend casual viewing habits. As the film embarks on its ambitious winter roadshow, its trajectory will likely serve as a blueprint for other indie creators looking to bypass the noise of crowded streaming landscapes in favor of direct, tangible audience connection.