Joe Hill’s haunting short story from his 2004 collection 20th Century Ghosts, Abraham’s Boys gets a chilling cinematic transformation in the upcoming horror film ABRAHAM’S BOYS: A DRACULA STORY, directed by Natasha Kermani (Lucky).
Set for release by RLJE Films and Shudder on July 11, 2025, the film takes a unique approach to Bram Stoker’s vampire legacy, shifting the narrative focus from Dracula himself to his hunter’s haunted children.
The movie is about Max and Rudy Van Helsing, who are the sons of the famous vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing. It was written by Natasha Kermani and Joe Hill. The boys are played by Brady Hepner and Judah Mackey. Their unhappy father, Titus Welliver, is strict with them as they grow up. They start to learn scary facts about Dracula’s legacy, but they don’t know what dark secrets their father’s past holds. Jocelin Donahue and Aurora Perrineau are also in the movie.
WHERE WAS ABRAHAM’S BOYS: A DRACULA STORY FILMED?
The entire film was shot in California, with most of the key scenes filmed in and around Los Angeles. Production wrapped in July 2024. The location had the perfect mix of beautiful film-worthy scenery and easy-to-reach shooting circumstances. Director Natasha Kermani shared her enthusiasm for shooting in the region, saying, “It was a joy to bring Joe Hill’s dark, gothic story to the screen on location in California, with a fantastic Los Angeles cast and crew.”
RLJE Films’ Mark Ward praised Kermani’s direction, noting how the film “drags Van Helsing’s past into the light — whether his sons are ready for it or not.”
BIG SKY MOVIE RANCH – THE FILM’S CENTRAL BACKDROP
The primary filming location was Big Sky Movie Ranch, located in Simi Valley, California. The ranch is situated at 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, CA 93063, and is well within the Los Angeles 30-Mile Studio Zone—making it a popular and cost-effective location for productions.
Big Sky Movie Ranch is no stranger to the screen. With its rugged terrain, classic wooden structures, and cinematic open space, the ranch has been a favorite filming location for decades. Though it’s often used for Westerns, the ranch’s versatility allowed Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story to make full use of its eerie, isolated atmosphere—perfectly complementing the film’s gothic tone.
Designated as Ventura County Landmark #71 in 1981, Big Sky Movie Ranch holds cultural significance and visual appeal. The production made use of both indoor and outdoor areas on the ranch, enhancing the claustrophobic family home setting as well as the wider, more ominous world Abraham Van Helsing tries to shield his sons from.
Notable productions filmed at Big Sky include Transformers (2007), Men in Black (1997), and Twin Peaks (2017), proving its adaptability across genres. Even the sci-fi classic Quantum Leap (1989–1993) utilized its rustic charm. For Abraham’s Boys, the location serves not only as a backdrop but as a character of its own—adding depth to the eerie, uncertain world that Max and Rudy begin to unravel.
BEHIND THE SCENES – CAST SHARES THEIR EXPERIENCES
Filming may have wrapped in mid-2024, but the excitement from the cast continues to resonate. On July 2024, star Titus Welliver took to Instagram to mark the final stretch of filming, writing:
“Abraham’s Boys in our 4th and final week of filming. The Van Helsings do blood and thunder. Be mindful of the shadows about you, the darkness mixes lies with the truth to confuse us…”
Later, on April 8, 2025, actor Judah Mackey shared his own reflections via Instagram, posting:
“Unforgettable experience working with the incredible cast and crew of Abraham’s Boys. Sharing the screen with @tituswelliverofficial @brady_hepner @jocelindonahue @auroraperrineau @corteon @fayna.bo.byna was nothing short of chilling—in the best way. Can’t wait for everyone to step into the dark twisted world we’ve brought to life. Huge thanks to everyone involved for this amazing opportunity—our visionary director @natakerm and the brilliant mind of @joe_hill conjuring this epic short story.”
These posts give fans a glimpse into the passion and camaraderie behind the production—adding a personal touch to the haunting story.
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