Premium streaming service Shudder, which features an expansive library of horror and supernatural films, announced it has acquired the rights to distribute This Is Gwar, a documentary about the legendary thrash shockers. The film will cover the band’s near forty years in action, and provides insight into the inner workings of one of the most notorious—and hard working—bands in heavy metal history.
The documentary made its debut in 2021 at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, and also won the Audience Award at Nightstream. It will make its streaming global debut on July 21, and will be available in nearly every region.
A trailer for the film can be found below. In it, actor/director Alex Winter (Zappa, Bill in the Bill & Ted trilogy), tells the audience, “Gwar was a big, violent, sexual, theatrical, rock show.” Yep, that sounds about right to us, Alex!
Shudder general manager Craig Engler said about the acquisition, "For more than three decades, Gwar has set the standard for heavy metal horror with larger-than-life personas and gore-filled stage shows that were unlike anything anyone had ever seen. But even their most ardent fans have never seen them like this, as the band and director Scott Barber reveal in moving detail the literal blood, sweat and tears that have made Gwar the true legends they are today.”
The documentary will feature commentary from former and current members of Gwar, plus guest appearances from Winter, Weird Al Yankovic, Thomas Lennon, Bam Margera and Ethan Embry. Gwar frontman Dave Brockie—who performed under the name Oderus Urungus, passed away in 2014. Brockie was the last remaining original member of Gwar, the group he lead since its inception. The documentary is said to feature unseen footage of Brockie, as well as other footage never seen before.
For more information about Shudder, you can visit their website here.
