Leading the guest line-up is Rhyl’s own Spencer Wilding – the 6’7” actor who has embodied Darth Vader, The Wolfman and Frankenstein’s Monster.
Joining him is rising star Luisa Guerreiro, fresh from the recent Toxic Avenger remake.
Her physical, creature‑driven performances have earned her a growing fanbase across the horror community.
Fans of Hellraiser are in for a treat, with three major figures from the franchise appearing across the weekend:
Geoff Portass – the legendary prosthetics artist behind the Lead Cenobite “Pinhead” in Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II, with additional credits on Highlander, Nightbreed, Lifeforce and Lair of the White Worm.
Hugh Ross – the Scottish actor adored for his role as the mortician in Hellraiser.
Paul Kane – award‑winning dark‑fantasy author and contributor to The Hellbound Hearts anthology.
A campaign to bring one of Paul’s stories to life as a graphic novel – Men of the Cloth – is currently underway.
Rounding out the guest list is iconic illustrator Graham Humphreys, whose vivid VHS‑era artwork for A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Evil Dead helped define an entire generation of horror imagery.
Organisers Chad Jones and Tomos Rowlands say the excitement is building, adding: “We absolutely love the support from the horror community, and we can’t wait to welcome you all to Rhyl Little Theatre from 31st July – 2nd August for three days of horror, cult cinema, independent filmmaking, special guests, Q&As, a horror market, awards and so much more!”
Now in its fourth year, Rhyller Thriller has grown from a grassroots passion project into one of the UK’s most exciting independent horror festivals.
This year’s theme – Fear the Old Ways – dives into folklore, superstition and the darker corners of Welsh storytelling, with screenings presented on a custom‑built cinema setup inside one of North Wales’ oldest theatres.