The Horror genre has found a fresh voice in David W. Bailey’s latest creation, Day Of The Cicada, a bold and unsettling feature that left its exclusive audience of industry insiders, celebrities, and production members visibly shaken.
The plot follows Jacob (played by Bailey), a man who has maintained his innocence for over three decades behind bars, wrongly convicted of his parents’ murders. His seemingly outlandish claim? That the real killers were mysterious insects that surface only once every seventeen years. As the time approaches for the cicadas’ return, Jacob orchestrates a prison break, with newly assigned case officer Emily in hot pursuit. Her investigation leads her down an unexpected path, revealing that Jacob’s seemingly paranoid warnings about the cicadas may be frighteningly real.
The film showcases Bailey’s multiple talents as star, writer, director, and editor, alongside horror icon Eileen Dietz, renowned for her role in The Exorcist. The ensemble cast features DieTrich Thrall of Lords of Acid fame, accomplished actors Ron Russell and Mike Ferguson, with a standout performance by Kelly Lynn Reiter as Emily Thornton, the determined psychiatrist investigating Jacob’s decades-old case.
The premiere drew an impressive array of entertainment figures, including acclaimed filmmaker Joseph Kelly, supermodel Tyler Sebago, industry powerhouse Jimmy Star, hitmaker Zachary Jaydon, filmmaker Cash Cassidy, Kevin Keppe from Smile, Vampie star Ming Ballard, and Daniel Rengering of Survivor fame. The event also attracted numerous media representatives and streaming executives eager to acquire the film.
Throughout the screening, the audience responded with enthusiastic applause, culminating in a standing ovation. Tyler Sebago captured the evening’s energy, noting, “It was crazy, campy, and fun,” and adding, “I could definitely see this film developing a cult-following. All the elements are there for that. It was really well done. I’d see it again.”
Photo Credits: Rebel Yell Photography