Gothic Slayers, an indie horror comedy that was filmed in Harford County, Md., has officially hit streaming services.
Featuring local actor and producer Ben Getz, the coming-of-age adventure follows two mini golf employees as they battle a demonic cult in an attempt to save their hometown—or in this case, Havre de Grace.
More than 50 cast and crew worked on the local production, which filmed for three weeks in Harford County during the fall of 2022, with scenes at the Churchville Golf Center and ice cream shop Arctic Circle; Jurassic Golf & Arcade in Bel Air; and local homes and businesses throughout Havre de Grace.
“Filming Gothic Slayers was a surreal, full-circle moment, as many of the locations were places that shaped my childhood,” said Getz. “Shooting in Maryland didn’t just bring authenticity to the film—it gave it a distinct visual identity, setting it apart from productions typically confined to Los Angeles backlots or sound stages.”
Getz explained that Havre de Grace and the surrounding area was the ideal place to grow up, and turned out to be the ideal backdrop for a film about growing up. “Instead of searching for locations to fit a script, we wrote the script to fit the town that had shaped me,” he said.
The small film utilized the Maryland Film Production Activity Tax Credit, an incentive of the Maryland Film Office that helps attract productions to film on-location in the state and provides refundable tax credits for certain costs incurred during filming. Getz credited the film office for making his project possible and “truly enjoyable,” due to its dedication and efficiency.
“Bringing Gothic Slayers to life in my hometown would not have been possible without the tax credit. The financial challenge of housing, feeding, and supporting such a production was immense. This tax credit lifted a significant burden, allowing me to turn my dream into reality.”
The team behind the 90’s-inspired production will host the official Maryland premiere on April 5 in Havre de Grace. Those unable to make the screening can catch Gothic Slayers on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Fandango at Home, and Google Play.
