Hunter King Transitions from Hallmark Star to Horror in Rabisu

Hunter King is rewriting her own Hollywood script. Known as one of Hallmark Channel’s brightest rom-com stars, she’s now diving headfirst into the shadows with Rabisu: The Curse of the Demon, a chilling new horror film directed by her husband, Chris Copier.

In a recent interview, King opened up about trading cozy love stories for demonic possession. She talked about collaborating with her spouse on his directorial debut and why this terrifying new chapter has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of her career.

From Rom-Com Royalty to Scream Queen Energy

For years, Hunter King has been synonymous with heartfelt romances and charming meet-cutes. Those comfort-watch movies have dominated holiday programming, so when news broke that she’d headline a horror film involving a sinister djinn and a warehouse of nightmares, fans definitely did a double take.

For King, though, the leap wasn’t shocking. If anything, it felt overdue.

Why Horror Feels Like Creative Freedom

She’s always been a horror fan. While audiences might picture her in snow-dusted small towns, she’s just as drawn to stories about fear, survival, and the darker corners of imagination.

Stepping into Rabisu let her stretch creative muscles she rarely uses in romantic comedies. She’s said it was energizing—balancing rom-coms with horror fills her up in a way sticking to one genre never could.

There’s something freeing about being covered in fake blood one day and wearing a ball gown the next. In Rabisu: The Curse of the Demon, King plays a member of a social-media ghost hunting crew who enter a warehouse cluttered with eerie objects, only to encounter a powerful djinn capable of possession and psychological torment.

The film leans into claustrophobia, paranoia, and shifting realities. It’s a far cry from sleigh bells and second chances.

Facing Real Fears on Set

Horror movies are meant to make audiences uncomfortable. In King’s case, the discomfort turned real more than once.

There’s a particularly intense scene where her character crawls through a dark, narrow tunnel. For someone who admits she’s terrified of small enclosed spaces, that moment was more than just acting.

Claustrophobia, Darkness, and Jump Scares

King’s talked about how the tunnel sequence was genuinely one of the scariest parts of filming for her. The set didn’t help—the warehouse was dimly lit, filled with blind corners, and the cast and crew were always a little on edge.

Sudden movements and surprise entrances became the daily rhythm. Sometimes, the fear wasn’t even scripted. It was just the environment doing its job.

Ironically, that constant unease fueled the performances. When actors are already a bit rattled, the line between reality and fiction blurs—honestly, it’s great for horror.

A Hallmark Family Cameo That Fans Will Love

Even though Rabisu is a big tonal shift, King didn’t leave her Hallmark roots behind. One familiar face makes a cameo that longtime viewers will spot right away.

Wes Brown Steps Into the Horror World

Wes Brown, a frequent Hallmark leading man and close friend of King and her husband, pops up in the film. His involvement came naturally, given his friendship with Chris Copier, who directed, wrote, and produced the project.

King was thrilled Brown agreed to join in. She’s even hinted she’d love to team up with him again for something lighter—maybe a buddy comedy where they play a crime-fighting duo.

And in a playful moment, King revealed which Hallmark stars she’d recruit for real-life ghost hunting:

• Jonathan Bennett for comic relief and morale boosting
• Nikki DeLoach for organization, preparation, and bravery
• Wes Brown as the dependable protector of the group

It’s a sweet reminder that, even as she ventures into horror, her Hallmark family is never far away.

Love, Marriage, and a Directorial Debut

Maybe the most compelling layer of Rabisu is the real-life love story behind the camera. The film marks Chris Copier’s first time in the director’s chair, after years working as a First Assistant Director on various projects, including Hallmark films.

For King, starring in her husband’s directorial debut made the whole thing even more meaningful.

Watching a Dream Take Flight

She speaks with obvious pride about her husband’s leap into directing. She describes him as someone who makes things happen, a creative force who chases his dreams with determination.

Being on set as both his leading lady and his partner gave her a front-row seat to his evolution as a filmmaker. She’s said watching him command the set and guide the story was inspiring and deeply special.

The collaborative vibe extended beyond just the two of them. Many crew members were close friends, giving the production a warm, almost camp-like feeling—despite all the demons and fake blood. King’s compared the experience to winter camp with friends, just with more supernatural chaos.

The couple is already dreaming up new projects together, quietly writing and planning future collaborations. There’s a sense this is just the start for them.

Behind the Scenes: Blood, Laughter, and Bloopers

Every horror film has its gruesome moments, and Rabisu is no exception. But behind the terrifying scenes, there were bursts of uncontrollable laughter.

King’s hinted that if a blooper reel ever surfaces, audiences would see plenty of hilarity offsetting the horror.

When Gruesome Turns Giggle-Worthy

One graphic scene required careful rehearsal to nail the timing of various effects. The sheer absurdity of coordinating such an intense moment led to fits of laughter among the cast.

Sometimes, when things get too extreme, the only thing to do is laugh. Those lighter moments were a much-needed counterbalance to the film’s darker themes.

A Wedding Straight Out of a Fantasy

As if launching a horror film and celebrating a directorial debut weren’t enough, King is also basking in newlywed bliss. The couple recently celebrated with a Medieval Times-themed event that perfectly captured their playful spirit.

From Knights to Destination I Dos

The Medieval Times celebration was her best friend’s idea, and she was instantly on board. Guests dressed in costume, leaned into the fun, and embraced the theatrical setting. King’s said it was perfectly on brand for them as a couple.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

An intimate destination ceremony is still ahead, and King can barely contain her excitement. She’s compared the anticipation to a kid waiting for a trip to Disneyland.

The upcoming celebration will be small, filled with close family, and centered on love and gratitude. If she had it her way, she’d marry Chris every year for the rest of their lives.

Where to Watch Rabisu

For fans eager to see Hunter King’s bold new chapter, Rabisu: The Curse of the Demon is now available to rent or purchase on major VOD platforms.

You’ll find it on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

This film is a chilling departure from those snowy Hallmark romances.

Maybe it’s the start of a wild new era for her. If this is what happens when a rom-com queen embraces the darkness, well, audiences might want to brace themselves for a few more sleepless nights.