Since her debut in 2020, Eve Valentine has emerged as the face of Dean Midas Films and one of the most recognisable figures in local independent horror.
Audiences across County Durham and the wider North East have taken Eve to heart because she belongs to them. She is not a Hollywood creation, but a character rooted in the towns and villages of the North where she was born and raised.
Eve’s power lies in atmosphere and symbolism, forever claiming Valentine’s Eve, February 13th, and transforming a date of romance into one of dread across the North East of England. By claiming a specific date on the calendar, Dean has created an annual “event” that fans look forward to, much like Halloween movie fans look forward to October 31st.
What began as a single film has evolved into a multi-year franchise rooted alongside the beautiful landscapes of County Durham. Eve Valentine has grown beyond the screen, becoming a regional horror icon embraced by local audiences and genre fans worldwide.
Perhaps the most striking manifestation of Eve Valentine’s dominance is her permanent real-world presence at the Manor House Hotel and Spa in West Auckland. It is exceedingly rare for a horror character to claim physical space beyond the screen, yet the Eve Suite stands as a bold testament to her growing popularity.
The franchise’s momentum continued in late 2025 with Christmas Eve, a viral short produced for just £50 that has surpassed 27,000 views in five weeks (and still growing), proving that strong characters and atmosphere can outperform big-budget productions.
In 2026, Eve’s mythology reaches a landmark moment as Valentine’s Eve falls on Friday the 13th. This rare moment will be marked by the Eve Valentine Masquerade Ball, hosted at the Manor House Hotel, an evening of “elegant dread” celebrating six years of world-building and a dedicated fan community. The event is sold out.
And what does her creator, award winning director Dean Midas think of it all?
“The past six years have been amazing. Eve is a testament that dreams can come true.”
As the future unfolds, one truth is undeniable: the takeover is nearly complete. Eve Valentine is no longer just a horror character.
She is a County Durham legend.
