Chroma, the U.S.-based genre distribution label known for championing bold and boundary-pushing cinema, has officially revealed an exciting trio of international features set to join its 2026 release slate. The lineup includes the South Korean kimchi western Mash Ville, the Polish giallo-style horror film Dead by Dawn, and the Estonian absurdist sci-fi drama The Black Hole.
Together, these three films represent a wildly inventive mix of cultures, genres, and storytelling styles, reaffirming Chroma’s mission to bring daring global genre cinema to North American audiences.
A Whiskey-Soaked Kimchi Western: Mash Ville
The first release from Chroma’s newly acquired package will be Mash Ville, directed by South Korean filmmaker Wook Hwang. The film is scheduled to debut digitally on January 23, setting the tone for Chroma’s genre-forward 2026 slate.
Described as a “whiskey-soaked kimchi western,” Mash Ville blends classic western tropes with distinctly Korean sensibilities. The story follows nine individuals and one corpse, all bound together by conflicting agendas that spiral into escalating chaos. According to Chroma, the film’s tone and style can best be summed up as “Coen Brothers meets Tarantino.”
That description alone hints at a film filled with dark humor, stylized violence, eccentric characters, and morally ambiguous decisions. At its core, Mash Ville explores what happens when greed, desperation, and survival instincts collide in a lawless environment.
The film’s impact was already felt on the international festival circuit, where director Wook Hwang earned Best Director honors at the Fantasia International Film Festival. This recognition has positioned Mash Ville as one of the most anticipated genre imports of the year.
Poland’s Rare Giallo Entry: Dead by Dawn
Following Mash Ville, Chroma will release Dead by Dawn, a visually striking horror film from Polish writer-director Dawid Torrone. Giallo cinema—characterized by stylized violence, dramatic lighting, and surreal murder-mystery elements—is traditionally associated with Italian filmmakers. Torrone’s film represents a rare Polish entry into the giallo tradition, making it especially intriguing for genre purists.
Dead by Dawn made its world premiere at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, where it immediately drew attention for its theatrical visuals and moody atmosphere. The film continued its festival run at Morbido Fest, Screamfest, and Grimmfest.
At Grimmfest, the film received a special mention for Best Cinematography, further highlighting its visual artistry. Torrone’s direction leans heavily into stylized framing, color-soaked lighting, and carefully composed suspense sequences, delivering a horror experience that feels both retro and refreshingly modern.
Absurdist Sci-Fi From Estonia: The Black Hole
Completing the trio is Moonika Siimets’ The Black Hole, an arthouse sci-fi film that takes a deeply unconventional approach to extraterrestrial storytelling.
Structured as a triptych, the film follows a small Estonian community dealing with a bizarre series of events after a black hole materializes inside a lilac bush. What follows is a surreal chain reaction involving extraterrestrials, a giant spider, and an Austrian man wearing breeches.
Rather than focusing on large-scale destruction or cosmic spectacle, The Black Hole uses absurdist humor and intimate storytelling to explore human reactions to the inexplicable. The result is a thoughtful, strange, and often darkly comedic meditation on fear, curiosity, and community.
The film premiered at Fantastic Fest 2024 and went on to collect multiple international awards, including honors from:
- Les Utopiales (France)
- Sognielettrici Electricdreams International Film Festival (Milan)
- Warsaw International Film Festival
- goEast Festival (Germany)
- UnderGround Film Festival (Calgary)
- European Film Festival Palić (Serbia)
These accolades underline the film’s broad appeal among both genre fans and arthouse audiences.
Behind the Deals
Chroma secured the North American rights to the three films through separate negotiations:
- Mash Ville – acquired from EST Media
- Dead by Dawn – acquired from The Coven
- The Black Hole – acquired from The Reel Suspects
These acquisitions highlight Chroma’s expanding role as a bridge between international filmmakers and North American genre audiences.
Chroma’s Vision for Global Genre Cinema
Speaking about the new additions, Chroma’s Vice President Ahbra Perry emphasized the universal power of genre storytelling:
“Part of what fuels Chroma’s passion for genre cinema is how powerfully it transcends language. These three international films grabbed us immediately – they’re gripping, entertaining, and wildly inventive in ways that will resonate instantly with genre fans, proving that the best, wildest ideas cross boundaries and cultures.”
Perry also noted the emotional universality of fear and suspense:
“A blood-curdling scream sounds the same in any language, and Dead by Dawn, The Black Hole, and Mash Ville push that universality to thrilling extremes.”
What Is Chroma?
Launched in 2025, Chroma operates as a U.S.-based distribution label focused primarily on science fiction and horror content. The company functions under Narrative Distribution, part of the broader Narrative portfolio of companies.
Chroma delivers titles across:
- Streaming platforms
- Transactional storefronts
- Broadcast channels
- DVD retailers
- Airline entertainment systems
By embracing international cinema and unconventional storytelling, Chroma is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving genre distribution landscape.
Final Thoughts
With Mash Ville, Dead by Dawn, and The Black Hole, Chroma’s 2026 slate promises a thrilling mix of action, horror, and sci-fi that defies cultural and creative boundaries. Each film offers a unique cinematic experience rooted in its country of origin yet universally appealing to fans of bold storytelling.
For genre enthusiasts craving something beyond formulaic Hollywood releases, Chroma’s upcoming lineup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting international genre packages of the year.