General Hospital’s Chris McKenna was excited to share with fans the news that his very first film is now widely available.
Jack Brennan’s something of a man of mystery on General Hospital, but in small dribs and drabs, we’re learning more about his character’s backstory. In real life, Chris McKenna has no problem sharing details of his life with the fans. He recently encountered a blast from his past that not only inspired him but also revealed his acting origins.
Revenge, Madness, and a Fridge Magnet
McKenna wrote on Instagram, “Just received the damn coolest thing! The new Blu-Ray release of the cult classic that helped launch my career. Stuart Gordon’s King of the Ants. Incredible art, multiple commentary tracks, documentaries about the film (including the final interview I did with @georgewendt ), a great booklet written by @skipstagraham, it even includes a @kariswuhrer as the Queen Ant fridge magnet! Thanks to everyone at @treasuredfilmsph and @101filmsuk @101films.”
No, it’s not a movie about killer ants. Rather, the movie centers around McKenna’s character Sean Crawley, a struggling house painter who gets entangled with a corrupt group of criminals after taking on a shady surveillance job. When he’s asked to escalate his involvement by committing murder, things spiral out of control. After the hit, the bad guys try to kill him to erase any evidence, but he survives and enters a slow-burn descent into madness and violent revenge.
It’s a Gem of a Film
This was McKenna’s debut film, which was a chilling breakout performance full of grit and vulnerability. It was directed by the late Stuart Gordon, who became a cult icon after directing the classic H.P. Lovecraft tales, Re-Animator (1985), and From Beyond (1986). It co-stars Daniel Baldwin (Vampires, 1998), the late George Wendt (Cheers), and GH alum Kari Wuhrer, who played Reese Marshall.
Film Treasures, the company that released the Blu-Ray of King of the Ants, as well as an incredible amount of other cult horror rarities, responded, “Hope you enjoy the set, Chris – it was an absolute pleasure to release this gem of a film. Thank you for being a part of it.” The film is known for its raw brutality, low-budget realism, and psychological intensity, and has often been compared to some amazing films like Memento, Taxi Driver, and A History of Violence.
The film’s title has to do with the fact that Sean begins as a nameless pawn, like an ant, but after betrayal and near-death, he crawls back to become the ruthless king of a savage swarm of criminals.
