The Prison
Feature Screenplay, 75 pages
Horror, Comedy
Posted by Ronald McQueen
Written by Ronald McQueen
An ex con is sent to a remote prison to investigate illegal fight nights run by the corrupt administration. When he learns that the violence is feeding the spirit of a forgotten creature from mythology he realises that his life is in danger and plans an escape, just as the creature finally manifests itself and the prison is consumed in an explosion of violence.
ApocalypticCrimeLaw EnforcementMythicalOccultPsychologicalSlasher/GoreSupernaturalThrillerViolenceTime Period: Prehistoric | PresentStory Location: USATarget Audience: Adult | Young Adult
THE PRISON
A Horror Feature Script
Synopsis:
Keller is an ex-Army Ranger turned car thief, sent to a remote snowbound prison for breaking into the SUV of a senior FBI Agent. The prison is run by corrupt Assistant Warden Andrews and brutal head guard Johnson, who are running an illegal fight club for the entertainment of the locals, all without the knowledge of the Head Warden. Keller quickly falls foul of Johnson and is forced to participate in the fight club, where, despite his combat training, his frequent injuries bring him into contact with Dr. Colmy, the prison doctor, and nurse Trace.
Colmy is an amateur palaeontologist who has discovered a complex of caves beneath the prison. The walls are covered in ancient paintings that depict a creature resembling the Horned God of human mythology. He learns that the beast became trapped in the underground ice and believes that its frozen remains might have survived intact. If he can prove it then his dream of academic acclaim will be his. Unknown to Colmy though the beast is more alive than he thinks, and the blood and the violence of the fight club are feeding its spirit to the point where its shade is now able to wander the corridors of the prison at night, a prison now trying to deal with an increasing number of mysterious deaths among the inmates.
Keller confides in Trace that he has been placed there under cover to gather evidence of criminal activity. He asks her to hack into Colmy's files while he approaches the Warden himself to reveal the levels of violence and corruption going on under his nose.
At the same time, auditors are visiting the prison and, finding evidence of illegal practises, threaten to have the prison shut down. Presented with twin threats to his beloved prison, the Warden freaks out and asks Andrews for help.
The auditors are thrown to the mercy of a baying crowd during fight club night while Keller is taken to a private cell by two guards and waterboarded. Trace is discovered trying to hack into Colmy's laptop, and dragged down to the caves where she is forced to watch while Colmy begins to cut into a frozen icewall where he has found the remains of the Horned God.
Up above, a riot has broken out at the fight club – shots are fired, people are being killed and in an orgy of blood the beast comes to life. Colmy is killed, Trace bolts and the mayhem in the fight club escalates when the Horned God appears and mass slaughter ensues.
Andrews is now destroying evidence – in the generator room he opens fuel taps and begins a huge blaze while Keller, having overpowered the guards and met up with Trace, makes a run for it. The prison is now a burning hell of screaming, bloody people as the Horned God runs amuck on a violent killing spree. Keller and Trace escape into the snow outside while the entire prison behind them blows up in a huge explosion. Thinking themselves safe, they head into the snow mist, heading for the Warden’s SUV and freedom. In their wake the Horned God appears, and laughs.
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2025 - New York Screenwriting Awards
Best Horror Feature Screenplay
2025 - New York Film and Female Actress Awards
Best Horror Screenplay
2025 - SfiFi Horror & Action Film Festival
Bronze Award
2024 - New York Film and Cinematography Awards
Award Winner
2024 - Sydney Cinematic Horizons Film Festival
Award Winner
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