Desperate for a fresh start, a single mother stumbles upon an offer that seems too good to be true: a beautiful, secluded home in the countryside with free rent in exchange for simple household chores. Seeing it as a miracle for her struggling family, she eagerly accepts, hoping for peace and stability. However, the idyllic setting quickly reveals itself to be a gilded cage, as the seemingly generous benefactor’s requests become increasingly strange and invasive, morphing from chores into a terrifying game of control and manipulation.

This chilling thriller preys on every parent’s deepest vulnerability: the need to provide a safe home for their children. As the walls close in and the family’s isolation becomes absolute, the mother must uncover the dark secrets buried within the house’s walls and in their landlord’s past. “Danger in the Countryside” is a pulse-pounding ride of suspense that explores how far a mother will go to protect her children when there is no one left to hear them scream.

Danger in the Countryside cast explained

1: Nicole Reddinger as Sadie

Nicole Reddinger delivers a powerhouse performance as Sadie, the resilient single mom whose determination to provide for her family leads her into a nightmare. Reddinger masterfully portrays Sadie’s initial hope and relief, which gradually hardens into sheer terror and, finally, into ferocious maternal instinct. Her performance is a raw and gripping journey from vulnerability to formidable strength, making her a relatable and formidable final girl.

Reddinger ensures Sadie is more than just a victim; she is a resourceful and intelligent woman whose love for her children fuels her every move. As the danger escalates, her character’s cunning and courage become her family’s only hope for survival, and Reddinger makes every moment of her struggle feel intensely real and desperately urgent.

2: John Castle as Jake

John Castle is brilliantly unsettling as Jake, the enigmatic and charming landlord who presents the life-changing offer to Sadie. Castle brings a quiet, calculating intensity to the role, crafting a villain whose polite smile and calm demeanor mask a deeply twisted and possessive nature. His performance is a masterclass in subtle menace, making everyday interactions feel laced with unspoken threat.

Castle slowly peels back the layers of Jake’s psyche, revealing the disturbing motives behind his “generosity.” His ability to shift from congenial to coldly sinister in a heartbeat creates a pervasive sense of dread, establishing Jake as a predator who has meticulously crafted his trap and enjoys watching his prey struggle within it.

3: Paul Van Scott as Grant

Paul Van Scott appears as Grant, a seemingly friendly but somewhat off-kilter local handyman or neighbor who knows more about the property’s dark history than he lets on. Van Scott brings a nuanced unease to the role, keeping the audience guessing about whether Grant is a potential ally for Sadie or another piece in Jake’s dangerous game. His character adds a crucial layer of mystery and paranoia to the rural setting.

Van Scott’s performance is key to the film’s atmosphere of distrust. Every piece of advice or warning he offers is loaded with ambiguity, forcing Sadie—and the audience—to question who can be trusted when nothing is as it appears in the seemingly peaceful countryside.

4: Piper Collins as Olivia

Piper Collins shines as Olivia, Sadie’s perceptive and anxious teenage daughter who immediately senses the wrongness of their new situation. Collins beautifully captures the teenage blend of rebellion and vulnerability, portraying a young woman who is fiercely protective of her mother and younger brother. Her intuition often puts her directly in the path of danger, making her a central character in the unfolding terror.

Collins’s performance adds a deeply emotional layer to the thriller. Olivia’s fear and bravery are palpable, and her journey from a skeptical teen to a key player in the family’s fight for survival is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She represents the innocence that is threatened by the house’s evil.

5: Ryan Anthony Holcomb as Max

Ryan Anthony Holcomb is endearing and vulnerable as Max, Sadie’s young son who initially sees the move as a grand adventure. Holcomb captures the innocence and confusion of a child caught in a terrifying situation he cannot understand. His performance is natural and affecting, making his character’s safety a primary source of anxiety for the audience.

Max’s vulnerability becomes a focal point for the film’s tension, as his trust in the seemingly friendly “Mr. Jake” is exploited. Holcomb’s ability to portray childhood fear and confusion makes the threat feel even more immediate and horrifying, raising the stakes for Sadie’s desperate mission to save her family.

6: Gisele Frame as Evelyn

Gisele Frame is haunting as Evelyn, a mysterious and reclusive figure who lives on a neighboring property. She is the town secret-keeper, a woman whose own past is tragically intertwined with the house and its owner. Frame brings a ghost-like quality to the role, her every appearance laden with unspoken warnings and a deep, sorrowful knowledge.

Frame’s performance is crucial to unlocking the mystery. Evelyn serves as a harbinger of the doom that awaits Sadie’s family, and her cryptic messages provide the clues Sadie needs to understand the true nature of the evil they are facing. She is the living embodiment of the countryside’s dark secrets.

7: Jace Marsh as Johnny

Jace Marsh rounds out the cast as Johnny, a local sheriff’s deputy who represents the family’s first—and perhaps only—glimpse of hope for outside intervention. Marsh brings a grounded, authoritative presence to the role, portraying a lawman who is initially skeptical of Sadie’s growing concerns but whose sense of duty eventually leads him to investigate.

Marsh’s performance creates critical moments of tension and relief. His character’s involvement forces Jake to alter his tactics, escalating the cat-and-mouse game. Deputy Johnny becomes a symbol of the outside world, and whether he will arrive in time provides a nail-biting thread of suspense throughout the film’s climax.

Why Danger in the Countryside Is a Must-Watch

• Relatable Fear: Taps into the universal anxiety of a deal that seems too good to be true and the vulnerability of being a parent in an unsafe situation.

• Masterful Suspense: A classic, claustrophobic thriller that builds tension with every passing minute.

• Stellar Performances: A compelling cast led by a phenomenal Nicole Reddinger as a mother pushed to her absolute limit.

• Twists and Turns: Just when you think you know the secret, another layer of the mystery is revealed.

The Rent Was Free. The Price Is Their Lives.

Danger in the Countryside premieres September 12, 2025, on LMN.