Horror movies

Directed by Australian filmmakers Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Late Night with the Devil features David Dastmalchian in a standout role, offering a fresh take on the horror genre. This cleverly executed found-footage film blends authentic frights with witty moments, setting it apart from conventional horror flicks. Rather than focusing solely on viewing television, it delves into the intricacies of its creation. The story follows Jack Delroy, a rival of Johnny Carson, who hosts the late-night talk show Night Owls. Once a comforting presence for sleepless viewers, Jack’s show has seen a significant drop in ratings since the tragic passing of his wife. Desperate to regain his audience, Jack plans a groundbreaking Halloween special for October 31, 1977, unaware that this decision will unleash a sinister force into the homes of countless viewers...

The horror genre has been around for such a large part of the history of film that it has historically been developed simultaneously with the medium itself. One of the most consistent and prominent genres, horror produces thousands of new horror films on an annual basis — this month alone sees the release of The Substance, Never Let Go, Speak No Evil, and many others. With so much competition, it's logical for many horror movies to fall out of the collective consciousness, slipping through the cinematic cracks.

From obscure disasters of cinema such as The Theatre Bizarre to severely underappreciated cult classics such as Stir of Echoes, there is no shortage of lesser-known entries throughout the history of the horror genre. However, that doesn't make them any less worthwhile. In fact, many of horror's most underseen efforts are among its most accomplished, to the point of being the closest thing a movie can come to perfection. These underrated horror movies are pretty much perfect and deserve far more attention from fans...

That Tarantino loved Crawl was just the sort of boost Aja needed. As he told The Hollywood Reporter, “It was such a nice surprise. I was really, really excited. I’ve met with Quentin a few times, and one of the times, we had dinner together in Paris right before I was going to make Piranha 3D. So I was pitching him all the scenes, and he was pitching me other things that he was thinking about, so I knew how much he loved these types of movies. My friend Eli Roth called me to say, ‘Hey, Quentin watched [Crawl] and really loved it.’ And then I saw the announcement online, so the fact that he really enjoyed the movie was the nicest thing ever. Sometimes, you do movies and you never know [how they’re going to be received]. But when you find an audience that also includes the critics and your peers that you admire the most, that’s why you keep trying to tell stories.”

And Aja will apparently carry that through with his upcoming sequel to Crawl, which he says is an idea he has been developing ever since the first one. “I would say that I never really stopped working on Crawl…After we were done, I kept thinking about all the other great setups that we could create, and it was really an exciting movie to make. So I wanted to really be involved in doing a sequel, and after a few troubled years with Covid and everything, I feel like we are now in a position that, hopefully next year, it might happen. So I’m excited. I’m ready to go. I’ve been lining up so many scenes and stuff, so it’s there. We just have to do it now and get back in the water.”

Neon has a reputation for producing uniquely constructed horror movies that have a tenacious, offbeat feel. With a vast repertoire, Neon's horror output covers a diverse range of sub-genres, including sci-fi, body horror, psychological terror, folk horror, and horror satire. Established in 2017 by Tom Quinn and Tim League, Neon has quickly become a household name in reliably high-calibre film production.

From the visceral body horror of Titane to the psychological dread in The Lodge, Neon's films consistently push the boundaries of conventional horror. Each film offers a fresh and often provocative take on the genre, whether it's the social commentary woven into the dark satire of Bad Hair or the eerie, post-pandemic paranoia in In the Earth. Neon's commitment to innovative storytelling and striking visuals makes it a standout in the horror landscape, delivering films that are as intellectually stimulating as they are terrifying.

The Babadook tells the terrifying story of a young boy who becomes convinced that an evil spirit lives in his home, despite his mother’s reassurance that he’s safe. But when his behavior becomes erratic and uncontrollable, his mother realizes something isn’t quite right. The Babadook is an unnerving horror film that delves deep into the human psyche and proves that, sometimes, we can be the scariest monsters of all. The Babadook’s frightening ending has become notorious for its ambiguity and excellent use of horror imagery.

What works so effectively about The Babadook is that, while it’s clearly rooted in the horror genre, there aren’t any clear monsters or ghosts like you’d expect in a basic haunted house story. Instead, the narrative is a largely metaphorical one about trauma, fear, and loss, focusing on the people affected by these themes. It’s one of the scariest horror movies about grief that’s ever been made, and its analogical storytelling isn't easy to find elsewhere. Fortunately, there are some horror movies that will appeal to fans of The Babadook...

It's incredibly hard to keep a franchise fresh when it's been around for more than a decade headed into its seventh installment. But a couple of missteps aside, the "V/H/S" franchise has done a remarkable job of keeping things fresh over the years. I'm pleased as punch to report that "V/H/S/Beyond" isn't just taking the ball and running with it — it may well have set a new high bar for the series.

The seventh installment overall and the follow-up to last year's "V/H/S/85," this new entry takes things "Beyond" by giving every one of the six segments a sci-fi hook. Marrying sci-fi and horror has often yielded very satisfying results. Some of the all-time greats in the genre, such as John Carpenter's "The Thing" or Ridley Scott's "Alien," look to the horrors of science fiction to bring us something thrilling. Similarly, all of the filmmakers involved here wandered through very different corners of the science fiction sphere to deliver viewers something horrific, weird, and/or a bloody good time.

While it may sound like a bold statement, this is very arguably the strongest overall collection of tales in "V/H/S" history. Defenders of "V/H/S/2" and "V/H/S/94" will either roll their eyes at what could easily be a hyperbolic statement from a guy walking out of a world premiere at a film festival aimed squarely at genre lovers. I'm here to tell you that the festival goggles are off. My mind is clear. This movie delivers the goods...

It's literally impossible to recommend "Terrifier 3," a horror movie so nasty and nightmarish that it's bound to be an endurance test for even genre buffs with the most hardened nerves and strong stomachs. But it's also easy to admire "Terrifier 3" and what writer/director Damien Leone has accomplished. Many horror movies aim to be transgressive, to shock and disgust, but here's one that actually manages to pull it off. It pushes your buttons with such deadly force that your inner machinery breaks –– you cannot believe what you're seeing. One can never accuse this movie, or this franchise, of taking the easy path or softening its edges to make for a safer, more palatable experience. Here's a horror movie that declares itself to be dangerous, and actually delivers on the promise.

The horror comedy Ready or Not proved to be a major hit with genre audiences, which also offered star Samara Weaving her breakout role. The open-ended nature of the film's finale and the mythology teased at in the narrative have left fans wondering whether we could get a follow-up film that further explored this world. A sequel was announced earlier this year, and while it was assumed that Weaving would return, the actor confirmed she was "all in" on the upcoming project. While Ready or Not 2 doesn't yet have a release date, Weaving can next be seen in Azrael, which hits select theaters on September 27th and lands on Shudder on October 25th.

While speaking with ComicBook in support of Azrael and when asked about the status of the Ready or Not sequel, Weaving confirmed, "I'm all in. I think we're all in, I don't know. I think we're all in. I don't know if we've had our blood handshake, but pretty much. We've done the spit handshake, but we haven't cut each other's hands and rubbed our blood together."

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The movie was directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, who have since directed Scream, Scream VI, and Abigail. Adam Robitel has reportedly been tapped to direct the sequel.

Like this year’s The First Omen, Apartment 7A is a prequel to an iconic horror movie – in this case, Satanic classic Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – that fleshes out, to some degree, the world of its predecessor-slash-successor.

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Director/co-writer Natalie Erika James (2020’s critically lauded Relic) is a dab hand at eerie flourishes (the sight of Terry’s belly growing is a standout). Garner (Ozark, the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps) convinces as the potential demonic patsy, though she’s surpassed by Wiest, who revels in her supremely unsettling role (one peephole shot of her staring intently truly chills).

But for all that, there are times when Apartment 7A feels derivative, not least when a rival to Terry suffers a bone-cracking demise that recalls Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake. Boasting big-name producers (John Krasinski, Michael Bay) and scored with '60s hits (notably Be My Baby), it’s a well-crafted film, even if it doesn’t greatly expand upon the original movie.

We have all heard about horror films, how they are the new genre everyone is talking about. And independent horror films are the big talking point in the film industry.

What makes horror interesting to me, is that horror films are relatively cheap to produce. You need a couple of actors and some lights. Come up with a good scenario and presto!

Making good PG or PG-13-rated horror is tricky. Movies don't need to be graphic in order to be scary, but working within the bounds of a PG-13 rating significantly reduces the horror filmmaker's toolkit. They cannot rely on gore or explicit content for their scares and must tread a fine line between frightening and disturbing. It's something many of them fail to do.

The worst PG-13 horror films often suffer from watered-down scares, predictable plots, and uninspired storytelling. Whether they rely too heavily on clichés or lack the necessary tension to truly terrify, these movies leave audiences feeling disappointed rather than unnerved. They chase a broad audience, but often wind up pleasing no one; too intense for younger viewers, too tepid for adults. With this in mind, here are the ten most egregious examples of ten PG-13 horror movies missing the mark...

I am a perennial supporter of underdog cinema. In fact, I pen a Dread Central column called The Overlooked Motel that’s dedicated to championing overlooked and underrated films. I began writing that recurring feature several years ago because I love discovering a diamond in the rough. It’s a rush to unearth a cinematic treasure lost to time. And it’s equally exciting to share these discoveries with like-minded film lovers.

With that in mind, I’m here today to spread the word about a picture from our distribution arm (DREAD) that remains woefully under-seen. But rest assured that no one asked me to write this piece and that I will be brutally honest so you know exactly what you’re in for. The film I’m championing today is called Island Escape. It’s a feature that melds action tropes with horror and science fiction elements. The flick delivers strong editing, an ever-present sense of paranoia, and a bevy of twists and turns along the way that lead to a rousing conclusion...

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/42813294

Hey Lemmy,

What are your favorite horror movies from Blumhouse?

I went to Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights this year and they had the whole tram Blumhouse themed. I liked to watch horror movies during this spooky season, so i think catching up on some of these ones seems like a good place to start this year.

It looks like we have a full-blown modern slasher icon with a franchise that just won’t quit. Terrifier 3 hasn’t even hit theaters yet, but the film did premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas last night. This marks Art the Clown’s third solo cinematic parade of carnage. Well, it looks like director Damien Leone intends to keep the blood coming as the filmmaker has confirmed that a fourth entry in the franchise is indeed happening. Buckle up, gorehounds.

“Yes there will be a Terrifier 4,” Leone said during the Q&A, which was attended by Fango’s own Angel Melanson. So there we have it! Nothing further was confirmed at this time, though that seems fair given that most of the world has yet to even see the third installment. Without giving too much away, the film does very much pave the way for another sequel.

John Carpenter is the greatest horror filmmaker of all time. Born in Carthage, New York, in 1948, Carpenter rose to prominence directing low-budget short films before making his high-profile directorial debut with the 1974 cult classic sci-fi flick Dark Star. Since then, he's been responsible for creating some of the most remarkable cult classics in cinematic history.

Regardless of budget and a lack of established actors, Carpenter has used his skills as a brilliant storyteller, bringing to life spectacular stories that only he could have called his own. From chilling monster movies to hilarious dark comedies, he's become a genre-bending wiz, directing unique and highly enjoyable films. But, undoubtedly, he's at home when it comes to making horror movies. Most of Carpenter's works are purely terrifying and memorable. The scarier they are, the more audiences love them. So, in honor of the master of horror, check these ten Carpenter flicks that'll surely leave a chill down one's spine.

1. 'The Thing' (1982)
2. 'Halloween' (1978)
3. 'In the Mouth of Madness' (1994)
4. 'Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)
5. 'The Fog' (1980)
6. 'Prince of Darkness' (1987)
7. 'Christine' (1983)
8. 'Someone's Watching Me!' (1978)
9. 'Vampires' (1998)
10. 'Body Bags' (1993)

Hugh Grant’s upcoming horror movie Heretic has unveiled yet another trailer, and whilst this one is only a minute long, it gives us a better look at Grant’s Jigsaw-like sadistic homeowner.

The trailer opens with 'The Air That I Breathe' by The Hollies playing in the background whilst the camera pans to a framed picture of a young Grant alongside a number of various religious artefacts. In the rest of the clip, we see Grant’s villain setting up what looks like various traps around his house, even going as far as to build a model of the home and write 'Belief' and 'Disbelief' on two doors as it was an escape room of sorts. All the while, two young female missionaries are on the way to his house. We can only imagine what horror lies ahead for them there. Watch the full trailer...

After two movies and two seasons of a TV series, Outback murderer Mick Taylor will return in Wolf Creek: Legacy, recently announced as both the third installment and something of a reboot of Greg McLean’s horror franchise. But have no fear, John Jarratt is back as Mick Taylor.

What can we expect from Wolf Creek: Legacy? Speaking with David Clair-Bennett for his YouTube channel this week, John Jarratt teased a tone more in line with the original Wolf Creek.

“It’s dark and creepy again,” Jarratt teases. “It’s more like the first one. With the second one, we had a bit of fun. Cracked a few jokes. For this one, the dark creepy thing is the ultimate when it comes to playing Mick. Just creeping up and being scary.”

Jarratt adds, speaking about Mick Taylor, “He never runs, never yells, never dies.”

The actor notes in the same chat that the team is hoping to begin production sometime early next year (February-March), with a potential release around the holiday season in 2025.

In the wake of the film’s World Premiere at Fantastic Fest this Sunday, September 22, Benjamin Barfoot’s horror movie Daddy’s Head is coming to Shudder on October 11.

Watch the official trailer for Daddy’s Head below.

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In the film, “In the wake of his father’s untimely death, a young boy is left in the eerie solitude of a sprawling country estate with his newly widowed stepmother. Struggling to navigate the overwhelming task of parenthood, his stepmother grows distant, leaving their fragile bond at risk of collapse. Amidst the growing tension, the boy begins to hear unsettling sounds echoing through the corridors, and is soon haunted by the presence of a grotesque creature bearing a disturbingly familiar resemblance to his late father.

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Life on a farm is hard. Despite all the great things about the countryside--the fresh air, the beauty of nature, the close-knit community--there are major downsides. For one thing, too much isolation can lead to loneliness and a twisted worldview. Remote places can also nurture a sense of lawlessness, providing cover for corruption and violent deeds. And, of course, there's all the manual labor required for daily survival, which leads to mental and physical exhaustion.

Because of all these issues, a farm is a near-perfect location for a horror movie. The characters are usually so far from civilization that no one can hear them scream when things go wrong, which they usually do--very, very wrong. Whether it's mutilation by equipment, attacks by livestock gone wild, or the madness of too many long nights alone, horror movie protagonists can suffer all kinds of terrible fates on a farm. These horror movies are the perfect representations of the dangers of farm life, using their agrarian settings to tell stories of solitude, dread, and terror...

“If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babadook,” goes the famous line in Jennifer Kent’s 2014 horror classic of that name. Ten years after its original release, though, The Babadook’s storybook rhyme needs updating: Today, it’s in sitcoms, reality TV competitions, and stop-motion sketch comedy shows, too. Like Amelia (Essie Davis) and her son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), popular culture can’t get rid of the nattily-attired boogeyman; unlike mother and son, pop culture apparently likes keeping him around, if we go by the number of times he’s surfaced in unexpected places over the last decade.

IFCFilms and ICONIC Events are re-releasing The Babadook to commemorate its 10th anniversary, two months ahead of its premiere in U.S. theaters; the movie debuted worldwide at the Sundance Film Festival’s 2014 edition, and did the rounds at other fests until its November opening. This is great news for the folks who missed the film at the time, comprising “most” on account of the scant number of screens it played on—a sign of the times, predating the horror new wave that crested later in the decade and continues to roll over the industry in 2024. To watch The Babadook now is to witness the seismic event that stirred the wave...

The Alien franchise is back on the big screen with Alien: Romulus, which is currently the highest grossing horror movie of the year with $101 million made here in the United States and $331 million scared up worldwide. The film is still going strong at the box office with no at-home release announced at this time, and in fact Romulus just passed another huge milestone.

IMAX has announced today that Alien: Romulus is now IMAX’s highest grossing horror of all time at the global box office, with $40 million in ticket sales for IMAX theaters alone...

Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3 had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest last night, leaving viewers in shock and awe. The first reactions promise sickening gore, laude the performances by David Howard Thornton and Lauren LaVera, praise Damien Leone’s direction, and tease Art the Clown’s expanded lore.

“Terrifier 3 just might be the goriest movie to ever grace a multiplex screen,” raves Fangoria editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr. “David Howard Thornton having a blast, funniest he’s ever been as Art; Lauren LaVera put through the wringer. Possibly the most physically put-upon final girl since Marilyn Burns.”

Up next from producer Sam Raimi‘s Raimi Productions and Hammerstone Studios (Barbarian) is Netflix’s Don’t Move, and the streamer has debuted the official trailer tonight.

Don’t Move premieres on Netflix October 25, 2024. Watch the trailer below.

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“A woman alone in the forests of Big Sur must escape a serial killer with just 20 minutes left before her body completely shuts down.”

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