(DENVILLE, NJ) -- The shuttered Saint Francis Residential Community in Denville will have a starring role, along with Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson, in the Miramax horror thriller The Home, just wrapping in New Jersey. The Home is a story about a troubled man who starts working at a retirement facility and realizes that its residents and caretakers harbor sinister secrets. As he investigates the building and its forbidden fourth floor, he starts to uncover connections to his own past and upbringing as a foster child. 

Directed by The Purge creator James DeMonaco, who also co-wrote the script with Adan Canto, the movie is produced by Bill Block (producer of the new Halloween movies) and Sébastien K. Lemercier (producer of The Purge movies). The Home will be Miramax’s latest addition to their extensive roster of horror films including Halloween, Scream, Hellraiser, and Dracula. 

Many well-known horror films have been made in New Jersey throughout the years, including The Amityville Horror (1979), shot in Toms River. The legendary and influential fright movie Friday the 13th (1980) was filmed on location in Blairstown, Hardwick, and Hope Township. 13th Child (2002) was shot primarily in Wharton State Forest, Batsto Village, and Hammonton in the Pine Barrens. And the upcoming thriller Goodnight Mommy, with Naomi Watts, was filmed entirely in Bedminster last year. 

“The steady stream of productions coming to New Jersey continues and the state has become a premiere destination for the film and television industry,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We are delighted to welcome Miramax back to the New Jersey for their latest project.”

“Following last year’s record amount of production, 2022 is shaping up to be another extremely busy year for film and television activity,” according to Acting Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “New Jersey is attracting projects of every size and genre, featuring some of the most popular and accomplished actors in the world.”

The New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission, which falls under the New Jersey Department of State’s Business Action Center, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in New Jersey.