Before the zombie craze was fully under way, indie horror movie Splinter was enjoying a bit of critical buzz. It only saw a limited theatrical run in 2008, but still earned a Best Horror Movie nomination at the Saturn Awards. Since its release, however, Splinter has unfairly faded into obscurity. In addition to some good […]
Based on Jack Finney’s 1954 science fiction novel, The Body Snatchers, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is classic of 70s sci-fi and horror. Its paranoia-laden premise is one easily adapted to a number of contexts and time periods – its relevance never wanes. Not surprisingly then, Finney’s story has been adapted in some form or […]
No, not that Addams Family. That’s Adams Family, with just one ‘d’. With their latest collaborative effort, Hellbender, debuting on Shudder, the family filmmakers return horror to the same DIY roots of early George Romero and Sam Raimi. And it’s indeed a family affair with husband-and-wife John Adams and Toby Poser sharing writing and directing […]
Sometimes a title tells you everything you need to know about a movie. Though For the Sake of Vicious saw a limited theatrical release in 2021, most horror fans will just be getting a look at it now as it pops up on streaming platforms. Both its tile and promotional material promise some old-fashioned Grindhouse […]
The Devil has proven to be a reliable go-to villain for horror movies. From the Satanic panic movies of the 1970’s to demonic possession flicks, Satan – whether as a physical entity or a psychological mechanism – is tried and true horror narrative. IFC Midnight release – and one of 2019’s better horror movies – […]
Killing for your art. Or your art killing you. Since The Picture of Dorian Gray the horror genre has occasionally dabbled in the world of artists killing for their work (Bliss, Velvet Buzzsaw). Earlier in 2021, writer and director Alex Noyer premiered his debut Sound of Violence at SXSW. Critics were a bit mixed on […]
Horror loves its ‘terrible places‘. The looming Gothic castles of Hammer horror movies. Remote cabins in dense woods. Haunted houses with creaking doors and dimly lit halls. According to American professor Carol J Clover, the ‘terrible place’ was one of several necessary ingredients for horror. Though they may not immediately come to mind, hotels have […]
Aside from delayed major horror releases, if the Year in Horror in 2021 has a theme it’s been a minor resurgence in eco-horror. To date, a handful of indie horror movies – In The Earth and Gaia – have reminded us that all is not well in our environment. And the quietly underrated The Beach […]