When three teenage boys explore an abandoned 1950s carnival in the desert, they discover a cursed roller coaster that takes them on a one-way ride to Hell—where personal demons and lost souls are very real, and escaping means confronting what brought them there.

SYNOPSIS:

Jason, Nick, and Sam are three restless teens looking for thrills in the dusty outskirts of their town. Jason is the son of a mafia boss. Sam’s dad is a cop. And Nick is the glue between them, hiding his own secrets. When they stumble upon a boarded-up carnival rumored to be haunted, curiosity turns into a nightmare.

Drawn to a rusted, half-buried roller coaster with a skull-shaped tunnel entrance, they hop aboard—and vanish underground. What follows is not a ride, but a descent: a journey through hellish chambers that mirror their fears, guilt, and unresolved trauma.

They encounter other lost souls—some decades old, some just like them. Some want out. Some have given up. Others have become something... else. The further they go, the more the ride seems tailored to their sins and bloodlines. Jason begins seeing visions of his mother. Sam faces the consequences of betrayal. Nick is forced to admit what he’s always hidden.

Back on Earth, Jason’s crime boss father and Sam’s law-enforcement family form an uneasy alliance to find the boys. But when the mafia begins disappearing too, the search becomes an invasion—and more people are sucked into the underworld beneath the carnival.

Dramatic Hooks & Themes:

• Coming-of-Age Meets Eternal Damnation: A teen adventure turns into a mythic journey through moral consequence, identity, and inherited sin.

• Father vs. Father: A crime lord and a federal agent must work together to save their sons—despite being bitter enemies. Their dynamic echoes the boys’ struggles.

• Personalized Hell: Each section of the underworld is uniquely psychological—shifting in tone and design to reflect the character trapped inside.

• Tragic Humor: Some mafia goons don’t belong in Hell—but they’re stuck in it, bumbling through demonic traps with darkly comedic results.

• Existential Stakes: The boys discover that Hell isn’t punishment—it’s revelation. The only way out is through forgiveness and brutal truth.

Why It Works: Carnival blends nostalgic Americana with mythological horror to deliver a visually rich, emotionally complex story about youth, guilt, and redemption. It’s a high-concept thriller with ensemble appeal, twisted world-building, and grounded heart. With mostly practical sets, stylized lighting, and a confined location (a single decommissioned amusement park), it’s an ideal mid-budget project perfect for producers who love It, Donnie Darko, or The Babadook. The world is self-contained, yet brimming with franchise potential—Hell has many rides.

CARNIVAL