River is a 2026 survival slasher from first-time feature director Joshua Giuliano, starring Jane Levy, Jessica Rothe, Max Mattern, and Dane DiLiegro. It follows three estranged siblings stranded on a remote river while a masked killer stalks them from the shore.
The film’s music comes from composer duo Mondo Boys, who built a reputation on moody, unsettling scores. River had its world premiere as the opening night film of TIFF’s Midnight Madness program on September 10, 2026.
Universal Pictures will release the film in U.S. theaters on January 15, 2027. This guide covers what is confirmed about the music behind it.
River Soundtrack Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | River |
| Writer & Director | Joshua Giuliano |
| Production | Independent Film Company, Shudder, Spooky Pictures, Eat the Cat, Blumhouse–Atomic Monster |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Platform | Theatrical release, followed by Shudder |
| World Premiere | September 10, 2026 (TIFF Midnight Madness) |
| U.S. Theatrical Release | January 15, 2027 |
| Composer | Mondo Boys (Mike Griffin & Mike Schanzlin) |
| Film Runtime | 92 minutes |
| Cinematography | Nick Matthews |
| Editor | Thom Newell |
River Score Overview
Film Music Reporter announced in August 2026 that Mondo Boys had completed the original score. The news arrived about a month before the film’s TIFF debut.
Critics who saw the film in Toronto singled out the sound design as a major strength. Slant Magazine described the score as droning and atonal, cut against slow-motion imagery and surreal crossfades.
Another reviewer noted that the music keeps tension moving without announcing every scare. That restraint suits a film that opens and closes with audio of a violent attack while the screen shows only the quiet aftermath.
Who Composed River Soundtrack?
Mondo Boys is a Los Angeles-based composer duo made up of Mike Griffin and Mike Schanzlin. They are best known for their work with director Amy Seimetz, including the series The Girlfriend Experience and the 2020 psychological thriller She Dies Tomorrow.
Their She Dies Tomorrow score runs just under twenty minutes. It reworks Mozart’s Requiem into a dark, operatic piece and was released by Milan Records.
The duo also scored Fatman (2020), the Mel Gibson dark comedy, along with Phoenix Forgotten, The Jinx, Borderland, Red Right Hand, and Silk Road. Their recent projects include the sports drama Baby Love and Run Hide Fight: Infidels.
If you enjoy horror scores from this year, take a look at our guides to the Send Help soundtrack and the Scary Movie soundtrack.
Mondo Boys Filmography
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | She Dies Tomorrow | Feature film |
| 2020 | Fatman | Feature film |
| 2020 | She’s in Portland | Feature film |
| 2021 | Run Hide Fight | Feature film |
| 2026 | Baby Love | Feature film |
| 2026 | Run Hide Fight: Infidels | Feature film |
| 2026 | River | Feature film |
FAQs
Who composed the music for River?
Mondo Boys, the Los Angeles duo of Mike Griffin and Mike Schanzlin, composed the original score for River.
Who directed River?
Joshua Giuliano wrote and directed the film. It is his feature directorial debut.
Who stars in River?
The cast includes Jane Levy, Jessica Rothe, Max Mattern, and Dane DiLiegro, who plays the masked killer.
When does River come out?
The film premiered at TIFF on September 10, 2026. Universal will release it in U.S. theaters on January 15, 2027.
Where can I watch River?
It opens in theaters first, and a Shudder streaming debut is planned after the theatrical run.
What other projects have Mondo Boys scored?
Their credits include She Dies Tomorrow, Fatman, Phoenix Forgotten, The Girlfriend Experience, and Silk Road. See the filmography table above for more.
River Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | River |
| Release Year | 2026 / 2027 (theatrical) |
| Genre | Survival slasher |
| Composer | Mondo Boys (Mike Griffin & Mike Schanzlin) |
| Director | Joshua Giuliano |
| Where to Watch | U.S. theaters from Jan 15, 2027; streaming home not yet confirmed |
| Runtime | 92 minutes |
Score & Composer
Mondo Boys built their reputation scoring Amy Seimetz’s work, including a Mozart’s Requiem–inspired score for She Dies Tomorrow. Critics at River’s TIFF premiere described the score as droning and atonal, used sparingly to build dread rather than signal every scare — consistent with the duo’s past restraint-first approach. No standalone soundtrack album has been announced for River as of this writing, so specific track titles cannot be confirmed; this guide relies on critics’ descriptions of the score rather than a release.
Where to Stream River
River had its world premiere at TIFF’s Midnight Madness program on September 10, 2026. Universal Pictures has set a U.S. theatrical release date of January 15, 2027. The film was produced by IFC and Shudder alongside Spooky Pictures and Blumhouse–Atomic Monster, but a confirmed streaming release date has not been announced. For a general streaming overview, see our streaming hub.
Cast
Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe play estranged sisters, with Max Mattern as their younger brother and Dane DiLiegro as the masked killer stalking them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the music for River?
Mondo Boys, the Los Angeles duo of Mike Griffin and Mike Schanzlin, composed the original score.
Who directed River?
Joshua Giuliano wrote and directed the film, his feature directorial debut.
Where can I watch River?
It opens in U.S. theaters on January 15, 2027, via Universal Pictures. No streaming release date has been confirmed yet.
Is there a soundtrack album for River?
No soundtrack album has been announced as of this writing.
When did River premiere?
It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness program on September 10, 2026.
Related Reading
For more 2026 horror scores, see our Onslaught soundtrack guide and Below soundtrack guide, or browse our general streaming hub.