The ShowRoom presents RUSSELL MANIA! Three films by Ken Russell

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/01/2026

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- In celebration of the re-release of Ken Russell's controversial masterpiece The Devils, The ShowRoom presents RUSSELL MANIA!, a three-film retrospective honoring one of cinema's most audacious, provocative, and wildly imaginative filmmakers. Along with The Devils, they will offer screenings of Altered States and The Lair of the White Worm.

From religious hysteria and forbidden desire to mind-bending science fiction and seductive horror, the series showcases Russell's singular vision with screenings of the newly uncut version of The Devils,, alongside two more of his deliriously unconventional works.

The Devils (1971) - In 17th-century France, a charismatic priest becomes the target of a corrupt political establishment, setting off a frenzy of religious hysteria, sexual repression, and mass persecution. Russell's feverish historical shocker returns in a newly uncut version. The film stars Dudley Sutton, Gemma Jones, Max Adrian, Oliver Reed, and Vanessa Redgrave. Screenings take place Friday, November 6 at 8:00pm and Saturday, November 7 at 8:00pm.

Altered States (1980) - A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from Native American shamans, he explores these altered states of cognizance and finds that memory, time, and reality itself are states of mind. The film stars Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid, Thaao Penghlis, and William Hurt. Screenings take place Friday, November 13 at 8:00pm and Saturday, November 14 at 8:00pm.

The Lair of the White Worm (1988) - A young archaeologist uncovers evidence of an ancient serpent-worshipping cult in rural England, drawing him into a bizarre world of vampiric seduction, pagan rituals, and monstrous secrets. The film stars Amanda Donohoe, Catherine Oxenberg, Hugh Grant, Peter Capaldi, and Sammi Davis. Screenings take place Saturday, November 28 at 8:00pm and Sunday, November 29 at 3:30pm.

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Three films. One gloriously unrestrained filmmaker. Welcome to RUSSELL MANIA!

All screenings are $15. Tickets are available at showroomcinemas.com. The ShowRoom is located at 707 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

The ShowRoom Cinema opened in Asbury Park, NJ, in April, 2009, as a single-screen, 50 seat movie theater, with a goal of bringing provocative and relevant independent movies and engaging special events to the city’s budding downtown. In 2012 the theater evolved into a 3-screen, independent cinema and became the leading entertainment destination in Asbury Park’s eclectic, art-infused downtown shopping district.

Through its eleven year run, The ShowRoom brought an important selection of independent, first-run films — including critically-acclaimed domestic and foreign features, documentaries, festival winners and shorts — to the Jersey Shore. It also hosted a variety of special one night only screenings, live performances and community-driven special events. The theater closed in 2020, but new owners Daria Parr and family are excited to welcome The ShowRoom back to Asbury Park. As the last year and a half has shown, the simple pleasure of seeing a new release on a big screen with a roomful of fellow film fans is an experience many of us didn’t realize we would miss until it was gone.

The ShowRoom will continue to deliver the same high quality film selection and impeccable customer service that the theater has become known for while working toward the big picture goal: restoring some of what was lost during the pandemic by inviting our cherished guests to share the energy and fun of going to the movies again.