Jerry S. Gonzalez to Make Feature Debut with Puppet-Fueled Horror Comedy from Candy House Production
illi News/10308977

CHICAGO - illiNews -- Known for his award-winning shorts and boundary-pushing puppetry, writer and director Jerry S. Gonzalez steps into feature filmmaking with Big Spooky House, produced by Candy House Productions. This creature-filled live-action horror comedy promises the nostalgia audiences have been craving, complete with quirky ghouls, heartfelt laughs, and outrageous practical effects. Big Spooky House brings to life a world only Jerry could conjure.

"I promise a fun, gory popcorn flick with a lot of laughs, lots of frights, and a lot of heart. Think of it as a homage to the haunted house cartoons of the 1930s and '40s, with a mix of Scooby Doo but with themes and humor made for adults."
— Jerry S. Gonzalez, writer/director

Jerry's previous work includes the award-winning short The Spaghetti Man (Best Monster/Demon – Chicago Horror Film Fest 2024; Troma Award – Days of the Dead Film Fest 2024; Best Film and Best Director – HollyWeird Film Fest 2024), as well as Intergalactic PizzaBoy (2022) and There's Something in the Woods (2019). His fourth short, Hamster in My Head, is currently in post-production, set to premiere in fall 2025.

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Founded by John David Wolfe (Swayed, Road to Perdition, High Fidelity) and Chloe Koegel (Ramy, Fargo, Mo), Candy House Productions is an emerging force in genre-driven filmmaking. Known for championing bold voices and unconventional storytelling, the company is a natural fit for this one-of-a-kind, puppet-powered haunted house comedy.

In an industry flooded with AI-generated visuals and half-baked remakes, Big Spooky House proudly stands apart. The story follows Seth Spooky, a man with a crippling fear of everything, who inherits a haunted mansion filled with creepy portraits, cryptic riddles, and a bunch of unhelpful ghosts whom he must brave to break a generational curse and prove he can live up to his family name.

Leaning into handcrafted artistry and practical effects, Jerry S. Gonzalez delivers a cinematic experience that feels tangible, tactile, and timeless. Returning to the roots of campy, imaginative horror, the film blends slapstick mystery, innovative visual design, and delightfully bizarre puppets that are larger than death itself. Falling in love with a pumpkin-headed scarecrow has never felt so right.

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With production beginning in early 2026 and a powerhouse creative team in place, Big Spooky House is actively seeking investor partnerships and co-production opportunities. For investment decks or to follow the film's progress, visit www.bigspookyhouse.com.

Follow the journey on Instagram: @CandyHouseProductions @BigSpookyHouse @jerrysgonz