★★★ Sometimes, dead is better. At least, that’s what Jud Crandall would say. The iconic character—originated in Stephen King’s seminary Pet Sematary novel before being depicted onscreen by Fred Gwynne and John Lithgow—finally has his origin story explored at great depth in co-writer/director Lindsey Anderson Beer’s directorial debut, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. I used to genuinely … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: Pet Sematary: Bloodlines
Fantastic Fest 2023: The Fall of the House of Usher
Mike Flanagan, creator of two of the all-time greatest Netflix miniseries in The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, dips back into the murky waters of gothic horror in an eerie, atmospheric masterpiece dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe. The aptly-named The Fall of the House of Usher weaves Poe’s prose, themes, and melancholy into … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2023: The Fall of the House of Usher
Film Review: No One Will Save You
★★★★ Why is it so hard to make a good alien flick? The few genuinely successful ones can probably be counted on one hand, so the uphill battle that future titles in this subgenre face is steep indeed. Almost entirely dialogue-free, sci-fi horror No One Will Save You brings a seriously twisted interpretation of alien … Continue reading Film Review: No One Will Save You
TIFF 2023: Sleep
★★★★ (Written by Allison Brown) What happens to our mind and body when we sleep is a superstitious enigma many have questioned throughout time, so much so that Billie Eilish recently used the concept as an album title. Writer/Director Jason Yu tackles this fear of the unknown, along with gender disparity in relationships, credibility of … Continue reading TIFF 2023: Sleep
TV Review: Chucky Season 3 – Part 1
Sorry Jack, Chucky’s back! Chucky returns for round three, albeit in a truncated, four-episode part one rather than a full course. Showrunner Don Mancini, overlord of all things Chucky, takes the series in a surprising direction. The killer doll at this point has been involved in all manner of body swaps, horrifying deaths, army camp, … Continue reading TV Review: Chucky Season 3 – Part 1
FrightFest 2023 Wrap-Up
FrightFest is back to deliver more gory, goopy genre treats and indie gems. After the jump, check out our full coverage of the fest, and don't miss many of these features when they release later in the year! Films THE DARKSIDE OF SOCIETY Full review at the link. GOOD BOY Full review at the link. … Continue reading FrightFest 2023 Wrap-Up
FrightFest 2023: The Darkside of Society
★★★ 1989’s Society is one of the most batshit crazy horror movies ever to emerge out of the genre. Perhaps most remembered for its iconic orgy/shunting sequence in the final act, Society goes down in the annals of goopy practical effects history. As of the past decade, all-encompassing horror documentaries (such as In Search of … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: The Darkside of Society
FrightFest 2023: Good Boy
★★★★ At first glance, one would probably think a movie featuring a rich twink living with a man dressed up as his “pet dog” would not be an obvious selection for a horror movie festival. Norwegian import Good Boy, formerly titled Meg, deg & Frank, has far more going on internally than expected. Written and … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: Good Boy
Film Review: Slotherhouse
★★★★ At this point in the horror cycle, one would assume nearly any and every bizarre, off-the-wall concept has been filtered through a slasher lens. How very wrong we all were. I didn’t even need to see a trailer to know that sloth-slasher Slotherhouse would be a must-see. Perhaps due to a lifelong dream of … Continue reading Film Review: Slotherhouse
FrightFest 2023: The J-Horror Virus
★★★★ The early 2000s were a vital time period of transition for the horror genre. Just as the post-Scream slasher boom was winding down and audiences were losing their interest in such features, J-horror exploded in popularity. Characterized by the ghostly figure of a woman with long black hair and atmospheric, tech-based terrors, these movies … Continue reading FrightFest 2023: The J-Horror Virus