New Movies: Bystanders (2024) by Mary Beth McAndrews: A Feminist Rape-Revenge Thriller

Core Summary

Bystanders (2024) is a horror-thriller film that marks the feature directorial debut of Mary Beth McAndrews, with a screenplay by Jamie Alvey (who also stars). The film follows Abby, a shy teenager who attends a frat party that quickly devolves into a nightmare when a group of wealthy frat boys drug, assault, and hunt the girls for sport. Abby manages to escape and crosses paths with Clare and Gray, a mysterious, deranged, and vigilante couple returning from a wedding. The unlikely trio forms an alliance, turning the tables on the predators in a brutal fight for survival and vengeance, exploring themes of trauma, healing, and justice from a bold feminist perspective.

Short Summary

Mary Beth McAndrews' directorial debut, Bystanders (2024), is a horror-thriller where a teen escaping a frat party that turned into a hunting ground for drugged girls teams up with a mysterious vigilante couple. Together, they exact brutal revenge on the predatory frat boys, delivering a feminist take on trauma and justice.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28546957/

Link Review: https://cinapse.co/2025/01/bystanders-a-brutal-and-refreshingly-feminist-take-on-the-rape-revenge-subgenre/

About movie: https://epic-pictures.com/film/bystanders

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/bystanders (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/bystanders-2024 (Canada)

Detailed Summary

Bystanders (2024) is a horror-thriller that serves as the feature directorial debut for Mary Beth McAndrews, known for her work as Editor-in-Chief at Dread Central. The screenplay was written by Jamie Alvey, who also stars in the film. The film explores the sensitive and timely themes of sexual violence, trauma, and revenge from a distinctly feminist viewpoint.

The plot begins with Abby (Brandi Botkin), a shy and awkward teenager, attending a frat party hosted by her crush, Cody (Bob Wilcox), a cocky and dangerous wealthy frat boy. What starts as a dream night rapidly descends into a nightmare when Cody and his friends reveal their "sick plan": drugging, assaulting, and hunting the girls for sport. Abby manages to escape their clutches, her terror leading her into the path of Clare (Jamie Alvey) and Gray (Garrett Murphy), a mysterious and seemingly deranged couple returning from a wedding. Bound by desperation, this unlikely trio is thrust into a relentless fight for their lives. However, Clare and Gray have a dark agenda of their own, and the narrative quickly shifts into a "rape-revenge" thriller where the hunters become the hunted, facing "brutal retribution." The film delves into heavy themes with "unflinching honesty," contrasting toxic masculinity with the healthy masculinity embodied by Gray. Jamie Alvey, a sexual assault survivor herself, deeply infused her own journey with PTSD into the characters, particularly Clare and Gray, making it a "deeply personal project" for both writer and director. Bystanders aims to be more than just surface-level violence, portraying the "complicated nature of revenge" and exploring the "honesty" behind trauma rather than hiding from it. Filmed in Mt. Olivet, Kentucky, it had its world premiere at the Fall 2024 HorrorHound Film Festival, where it received multiple awards, including Best Feature and Best Director.

Plot Summary

• The Party Turns Nightmare: Abby attends a frat party where the hosts drug, assault, and hunt girls for sport.

• Abby's Escape: Abby manages to escape the immediate danger, fleeing into the night.

• Encounter with the Couple: She stumbles upon Clare and Gray, a mysterious couple returning from a wedding, who are revealed to be vigilantes with a dark agenda.

• Unlikely Alliance & Role Reversal: The trio forms an alliance, and the narrative shifts as they turn the tables on the predatory frat boys.

• Brutal Retribution: The night spirals into chaos and bloodshed as the frat boys become the hunted, facing violent justice.

• Themes of Trauma and Vengeance: The film explores the psychological impact of trauma and the complex nature of seeking revenge and justice.

Director's Vision

Mary Beth McAndrews' directorial vision for Bystanders (2024) is to redefine the rape-revenge genre by offering a nuanced, feminist perspective that goes beyond mere spectacle. Having written her master's thesis on female-directed rape-revenge films, McAndrews aims to explore the "complicated nature of revenge" and how it pertains to "processing anything" rather than just "surface-level violence." Her vision emphasizes:

• Feminist Stance: The film is "uniquely positioned from a feminist point of view," giving "women agency to reclaim their control and confront their rapists."

• Authentic Portrayal of Trauma: As a sexual assault survivor herself, McAndrews sought to tell this story "in all of its gory glory" as a "cathartic and liberating" experience, portraying the "honesty behind it rather than trying to hide from the reality many people face."

• Flipping Perspectives: McAndrews explicitly wanted to flip traditional genre perspectives and show something different with the vigilante story, focusing on the "complicated nature of revenge" rather than just violence for violence's sake.

• Character-Driven Approach: The film's emotional heart lies in the dynamic between the main characters, with McAndrews emphasizing the importance of audiences identifying with Clare, Gray, and Abby.

• Aesthetic Balance: Inspired by films like Violation (dreamy vibe) and The Strangers (stark violence), McAndrews aims to combine these elements to create a visually impactful yet understated tone, where violence is "peppered" consistently rather than building to a single finale.

Key Themes

• Rape-Revenge and Justice: The central driving force of the narrative, exploring the brutal pursuit of vengeance against perpetrators of sexual violence.

• Trauma and Healing: The film delves into the psychological aftermath of sexual assault, particularly through characters navigating PTSD and seeking catharsis.

• Feminist Agency: A core theme is empowering female characters to reclaim control and agency in the face of male aggression and systemic violence.

• Toxic Masculinity: The frat boys embody harmful aspects of privilege and entitlement, contrasting with more positive male portrayals (e.g., Gray).

• Bystander Effect vs. Intervention: The title itself hints at the broader societal issue of inaction versus active engagement in the face of injustice.

• Morality of Vengeance: While delivering brutal retribution, the film likely prompts questions about the costs and complexities of personal revenge.

Key Success Factors

• Bold Feminist Stance: Its clear thematic focus on female agency and rape-revenge makes it resonate with contemporary discussions.

• Director's Personal Connection: Mary Beth McAndrews' background as a survivor and her thesis work provide a deep, authentic foundation for the film.

• Award-Winning Festival Run: Multiple awards at prestigious horror festivals indicate strong critical reception and audience appeal within its genre.

• Compelling Premise: The high-stakes scenario of turning the tables on predators is inherently engaging for a horror-thriller audience.

• Strong Performances: The lead actors, particularly Jamie Alvey and Brandi Botkin, are praised for their compelling portrayals of resilient characters.

Awards and Nominations

Bystanders (2024) has garnered significant recognition during its festival run:

• HorrorHound Film Festival (Fall 2024):

  • Winner: Best Feature

  • Winner: Best Directing (Mary Beth McAndrews)

  • Winner: Best Writing (Jamie Alvey)

  • Winner: Best Supporting Performance (Garrett Murphy)

  • Winner: Best Cinematography

  • Winner: Best Editing

  • Winner: Judges' Choice

  • Nominated for 11 awards overall.

• Nightmares Film Festival 2024:

  • Winner: Best Horror Feature

• Philadelphia Unnamed Footage Festival 2024

• New York City Horror Film Festival 2024

These awards solidify its reputation as a standout horror film of the year.

Critical Reception

Critical reception for Bystanders (2024) has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from horror and genre-focused outlets, praising its unflinching honesty and unique perspective.

• The Owensboro Times: Highlighted that the film "opens dialogue on trauma and healing, gaining critical acclaim," and explores "heavy themes with unflinching honesty." It specifically noted how "Alvey's own journey with PTSD deeply informs her characters."

• Creepy Kingdom: Described the film as flipping "traditional gender roles by giving women agency to reclaim their control and confront their rapists." McAndrews' portrayal of trauma as a survivor herself was also lauded as helping "another young woman better understand her experience or feel understood."

• FilmCarnage.com: Called it "an ode to horror past while bringing it further into the present. Taking a familiar formula and adding a new spin to mix social issues with unexpected heroes." It praised Jamie Alvey's character Clare as a "refreshing change of pace" and the "surprisingly healthy relationship" of the killer couple.

• HM Uncut (mixed review): While acknowledging "brutal revenge with a modern horror twist" and the compelling trio of leads, noted "uneven pacing" and that action sequences "occasionally falter."

Overall, the film is widely recognized for its bold feminist stance, its honest portrayal of trauma, and its effective genre execution, despite some minor pacing criticisms.

Reviews

Reviews for Bystanders (2024) consistently highlight its intense and impactful nature:

• Audience Response: Overwhelmingly positive, especially in how it has "opened discussions on rape, trauma, and the societal systems that perpetuate violence," touching "people from lots of different demographics and backgrounds."

• Thematic Depth: Praised for delving into the complex realities of PTSD and how it "colors your interactions, your thoughts, your everything" after trauma.

• Character Portrayals: Strong performances from Jamie Alvey (Clare), Brandi Botkin (Abby), and Garrett Murphy (Gray) are often singled out, with Clare being described as "unapologetic, confident and capable of great violence" and Abby showing "great deal of resilience and adaptability."

• Gore and Violence: Acknowledged for its "bloody, gut-wrenching experience" and "gnarly kill sequences" that push boundaries, without being gratuitous.

• Pacing (Mixed): Some reviews noted a slow start, but generally agreed that the pacing improves as the characters develop and the vengeance unfolds.

Box Office

Bystanders (2024) had a successful festival run. It was released for rent or purchase on Video-On-Demand (VOD) on January 21, 2025, through Dread (Epic Pictures' specialty horror label). As an independent horror film primarily distributed digitally, it is not expected to have significant traditional theatrical box office numbers. Its success is measured by its critical reception, festival awards, and VOD performance.

Production Summary

Bystanders (2024) is produced by Traverse Terror and distributed by Epic Pictures' specialty horror label, Dread. Mary Beth McAndrews directed the film, which was written by Jamie Alvey. Key producers include Jeff Seemann, Cole Payne, Mary Beth McAndrews, Patrick Ewald, and Katie Page. Chance Madison served as Director of Photography, and Barry Rowen as Editor. Filming took place in Mt. Olivet, Kentucky, in July 2023. The film was intentionally written to be low-budget, taking cues from other indie horror films.

Production Companies

• Traverse Terror

Sales Companies

Epic Pictures (through its Dread label) handles sales for Bystanders (2024) in North America.

Distribution Companies

• Epic Pictures / DREAD (North America - VOD)

Streaming Release Date

Bystanders (2024) was released for rent or purchase on Video-On-Demand (VOD) platforms on January 21, 2025.

Theatrical Release

Bystanders (2024) had its world premiere at the Fall 2024 HorrorHound Film Festival and screened at other festivals. While it had a successful festival run, there is no indication of a wide theatrical release. Its primary release model is VOD.

Why to Recommend the Movie

• Empowering Feminist Narrative: Offers a strong, timely, and unflinching look at female agency in the face of violence.

• Beyond Simple Revenge: Explores the complex psychological impact of trauma and the pursuit of catharsis, not just superficial gore.

• Award-Winning Indie Horror: Its numerous festival accolades vouch for its quality and impact within the genre.

• Director's Authentic Vision: Mary Beth McAndrews' personal connection to the subject brings a powerful, honest perspective.

• Compelling Performances: The lead cast delivers engaging and resilient portrayals.

Why to Watch the Movie

• If you appreciate "rape-revenge" films with a deeper message: This offers a nuanced, survivor-informed take on the subgenre.

• To support female filmmakers and writers in horror: It's a strong feature debut from Mary Beth McAndrews and Jamie Alvey.

• For a horror-thriller that tackles relevant social issues: It delves into toxic masculinity, sexual violence, and the aftermath of trauma.

• If you enjoy intense, character-driven horror: The film focuses on the emotional and physical fight for survival and justice.

• To experience a bold and honest portrayal of difficult subject matter.

Movie Trend

Bystanders (2024) fits squarely within the evolving trend of Feminist Horror and Rape-Revenge Films, where the narrative gives agency and voice to survivors, moving beyond exploitation. It also exemplifies the rise of Indie Genre Films with Social Commentary, utilizing horror conventions to explore complex real-world issues like toxic masculinity and trauma. The director's background as a horror critic and her direct involvement in the genre scene also reflect a trend of Filmmakers Emerging from Critical Backgrounds.

Social Trend

The film directly addresses the ongoing and critical social trends of Gender-Based Violence, Sexual Assault, and Toxic Masculinity, particularly in the context of college culture. It resonates strongly with the #MeToo Movement and the broader societal demand for accountability for perpetrators and support for survivors. By centering the narrative on the survivors' agency and quest for justice, it aligns with a growing social emphasis on Empowerment and Catharsis for those who have experienced trauma, as well as challenging the historical silence and victim-blaming surrounding these issues.

Final Conclusions

Bystanders (2024), Mary Beth McAndrews' impactful feature debut, is a gritty and uncompromising horror-thriller that boldly redefines the rape-revenge subgenre. With a potent screenplay by Jamie Alvey, the film delves into the harrowing aftermath of sexual violence, centering the agency and quest for justice of its female protagonists. Critically acclaimed for its unflinching honesty, compelling performances, and a clear feminist perspective, Bystanders not only delivers visceral horror but also serves as a powerful commentary on trauma, toxic masculinity, and the fight for catharsis. It stands as a significant and timely contribution to independent genre cinema, making it essential viewing for those seeking challenging and resonant horror.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Approach Sensitive Topics with Authenticity: Draw from personal experience or thorough research to ensure a nuanced and respectful portrayal of complex issues like trauma and sexual violence.

• Subvert Genre Expectations: Take established genre tropes and twist them to deliver fresh perspectives and thematic depth, as Bystanders does with rape-revenge.

• Empower Your Protagonists: Give agency and active roles to characters who might traditionally be portrayed as passive victims, fostering a stronger connection with the audience.

• Utilize Festival Circuits: Leverage horror and independent film festivals to gain critical recognition, build buzz, and secure distribution for films with bold themes.

• Balance Message with Entertainment: While tackling serious themes, ensure the film still delivers on its genre promises (e.g., thrills, tension, scares for horror).

Recommendations for the Movie Industry

• Invest in Diverse Voices in Genre: Actively support female directors and writers who are bringing new perspectives and important social commentary to popular genres like horror.

• Promote Films that Challenge Norms: Champion movies that tackle difficult subjects and subvert traditional narratives, contributing to meaningful societal dialogue.

• Recognize the Power of Indie Horror: Acknowledge that low-budget independent horror films can be incredibly impactful both artistically and thematically.

• Facilitate Accessible Distribution: Ensure that films addressing critical social issues are readily available on VOD and streaming platforms to reach broader audiences.

• Support Survivor-Informed Storytelling: Encourage and fund projects that work with survivors to ensure accurate and empathetic portrayals of traumatic experiences.

Final Conclusions

Bystanders (2024), Mary Beth McAndrews' impactful feature debut, is a gritty and uncompromising horror-thriller that boldly redefines the rape-revenge subgenre. With a potent screenplay by Jamie Alvey, the film delves into the harrowing aftermath of sexual violence, centering the agency and quest for justice of its female protagonists. Critically acclaimed for its unflinching honesty, compelling performances, and a clear feminist perspective, Bystanders not only delivers visceral horror but also serves as a powerful commentary on trauma, toxic masculinity, and the fight for catharsis. It stands as a significant and timely contribution to independent genre cinema, making it essential viewing for those seeking challenging and resonant horror.