Tara Reid and Johnny Pemberton are set to lead the independent horror feature Scissor Mouth, produced by 1905 Films and written and directed by Deborah Richards. The film is being developed as a contemporary Southern Gothic horror story with a character-driven premise rooted in beauty, identity and revenge.
Set in rural Texas in the 1980s, Scissor Mouth follows a teenage girl scarred by the twisted abuse of her beauty-obsessed mother. She must escape the environment in which she was raised while confronting the lasting damage it has inflicted on her. Richards describes the project as a gothic horror fairy tale that examines beauty, identity and revenge through what she calls “a blood-soaked lens.” Rather than relying on a conventional slasher setup, the film is positioned as a psychologically driven horror story dealing with body image and generational trauma.
Richards said the film grew out of deeply personal territory and was conceived as a response to the impossible standards of beauty and the scars they can leave behind. She also wrote the two lead roles with Reid and Pemberton specifically in mind, saying Pemberton’s blend of humor and heart suited his character while Reid brought the combination of charm, unpredictability and humanity she wanted for the project.
Producer Patrick Wirtz described the screenplay as provocative and fearless, saying the film aims to address issues that remain relevant while delivering horror that stays with audiences. He also expressed confidence that Scissor Mouth could develop into a cult favourite.
The screenplay has already received recognition on the festival and competition circuit. It placed second in the horror category at the 2025 Slamdance Screenplay Competition, won Filmmatic’s Horror/Thriller Screenplay Award and was selected for the 2026 Grey List, an annual list highlighting notable unproduced genre screenplays.
Scissor Mouth marks Richards’ third feature as a filmmaker. She is also a co-founder of 1905 Films, a Las Vegas-based boutique studio focused on independent stories. Her second feature, Shaken & Stirred, was recently licensed to Apple TV and is scheduled for release in early 2026.
Richards works across several areas of filmmaking, including writing, editing, colour grading and visual effects. She has also been named Nevada Woman Filmmaker of the Year by the Nevada Women’s Film Festival.
Reid is best known for playing Vicky Lathum in the American Pie franchise, as well as roles in Urban Legend, Josie and the Pussycats, Van Wilder and Alone in the Dark. Her other credits include supporting appearances in The Big Lebowski and Cruel Intentions. She also headlined the long-running Sharknado television film series and has continued working in the horror genre, including a role in 2018’s Ouija House.
Pemberton is known for playing Thaddeus in Prime Video’s Fallout and the title character in Fox’s Son of Zorn. His film credits include 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, Ant-Man and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, while his voice work includes Bob’s Burgers and Pickle and Peanut. He also starred in Mermaid, which premiered at SXSW in 2025.
With an award-recognised screenplay, an emerging filmmaker behind the camera and two genre-familiar actors attached, Scissor Mouth is shaping up as a distinctive independent horror project. Rather than relying solely on conventional scares, the film aims to build its horror around beauty standards, generational trauma and the darker side of cultural expectations.
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