Locals walk the red carpet as 'Sherlock Holmes: Mare of the Night' expands release

C.J. Goodwyn, a Tivy High School and Schreiner University alumnus, is building a name in independent film. His latest feature, “Sherlock Holmes: Mare of the Night,” premiered on the red carpet in January at City Base Cinemas in San Antonio—and is now headed to Kerrville.

A local red carpet premiere is set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Kathleen C. Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts. The screening will begin at 3 p.m., followed by a Q&A with Goodwyn and members of the cast.

The film has already seen early success. It topped the box office during the weekend of Jan. 24 at City Base Cinemas, outperforming major studio releases, and went on to sell out both weekends during a two-week run at Santikos Theaters in San Antonio.

Goodwyn, who is self-taught, took on multiple roles in the production, serving as director, screenwriter, cinematographer and editor.

“We’re also scheduled in Chicago, New York, and I just heard from a theater in Oregon this morning,” Goodwyn said on Tuesday.

The film is set to expand further, with a theatrical tour planned for March that includes stops in Austin, Houston and Dallas. Goodwyn said he hopes to continue adding theaters across the country throughout the year.

“Sherlock Holmes: Mare of the Night” offers a darker interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective, drawing on lesser-explored elements of the original stories.

“I researched...Doyle. He had an interest in the supernatural, and his books are actually really dark. A lot of drug and alcohol abuse, some of the cases are very dire, and Sherlock doesn’t always win,” Goodwyn said. “That really intrigued me, I wanted to explore what covering crime in the streets of London in the 1800s for years does to your psyche.”

In this version, Holmes is haunted by a case he could not solve, spiraling into psychological distress. The film blends classic characters with new additions while leaning into elements of horror.

Goodwyn, who has been a full-time filmmaker for five years, cites Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg among his influences, particularly in storytelling and visual style.

“Hitchcock knew how to tell a story without much dialogue,” he said. “Spielberg was a pioneer in bringing worlds to life which we’ve never seen before with movies like ‘Jaws,’ ‘E.T.’ and ‘Jurassic Park.’”

He also points to modern horror director James Wan as an influence.

“I always tell people that ‘The Conjuring’ is like a love story surrounded by horror, so I really like that style,” he said. “You see that in this film with the brotherly love between Holmes and Watson.”

The project is deeply rooted in the local community. Goodwyn held casting calls in Kerrville, with the Cailloux Theater providing space for auditions, and cast several local actors in prominent roles.

“Since I grew up here, I really try to encourage and involve the community. There’s a vibrant theater scene, but not much involving film,” he said. “I enjoy providing an opportunity for people who wouldn’t have otherwise had one to be in a movie, especially on the big screen.”

Les Best, a character actor from Georgetown, stars as Holmes. Goodwyn said the two have collaborated for years.

“I’ve known Les for 13 years now, he’s been in all four of my films,” Goodwyn said. “There’s a lot of respect there. He’s always been so positive and encouraging.”

Kerrville natives Jon Rich and Emily Edwards portray John and Mary Watson.

“It’s great that the Cailloux has opened their doors to us,” Goodwyn said. “I think they’re true lovers of art no matter what it is.”

Behind the scenes, the film reflects the realities of independent filmmaking. Cast and crew members—many of them volunteers with full-time jobs—filmed primarily on weekends, often working long hours in challenging conditions.

“Making a film is hard work, but the cast and crew had a lot of patience and enthusiasm. They trusted me,” he said. “A lot of them were new to film, and I love giving people a chance and watching them grow.”

Goodwyn hopes the Kerrville premiere will serve not only as a celebration of the film, but also as a chance to connect with others interested in the industry.

“Dress to impress. It’ll sort of be like the Oscars for anyone that comes,” Goodwyn said. “It’ll also be a great networking opportunity for anyone that wants to be in the film industry. Come out, meet people and celebrate with us.”

While the film is not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America, it is intended for adult audiences. It currently holds ratings above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.

Originally published in the Feb. 13, 2025 edition of The Kerrville Daily Times.