If you’re looking for a fresh hit of adrenaline, you’ve got to check out The Observance. It’s the latest from director Rob Hollocks (the mind behind Mr. Sleep). He teamed up with Amy Bailey to write a script that is honestly wild.
Here is the lowdown, mostly spoiler-free review, and why this cult horror-thriller needs to be on your radar!
The Premise (Nightmare Fuel)
Imagine waking up from a five-year coma only to realize the world didn’t just move on—it went totally off the rails. That’s what happens to Madison (played by Kate Daily). While she was out, her husband and daughter didn’t just join a cult; they basically handed over the keys to the family estate to a twisted leader named Jonah.
Madison wakes up physically weak, but there’s no time for healing; she’s about to go to war. She isn’t about to let some cult take her home and family without a fight.
Why It Works
In this cult, one tiny mistake could literally cost you your fingers or your life. And the tension is through the roof. The twists are clever and unexpected, and they just keep coming.
Kate Daily is terrific. She makes you feel every bit of that “waking up to a nightmare” confusion and grit. Alec James (Jonah), the cult’s leader, is ice-cold and psychotic, and he nails his role. Anna Borchert plays an unhinged, “violence-obsessed” character very well. Ted Raimi (the legend!) shows up as a lawyer, alongside Ashley Terpstra as a cop, trying to bring the whole cult operation down. However, this won’t be easy.
I won’t spoil it, but the way they explain how the cult brainwashes people is very creative. It’s the unexpected and new. It was a great choice, and it left me very impressed. That’s rare, given all the overused and recycled plots we usually get.
Final Verdict
The Observance has everything a cult horror needs: blood, brutality, psychological mind games, and heart. At its core, it’s a story about a mother’s fierce love and her refusal to let her family fall into darkness.
If you want a movie that’s equal parts family drama and terrifying cult thriller, watch this one. You won’t be disappointed! I’m not the only one who has already enjoyed this film; it has won awards and been screened at film festivals around the world.
The Observance is set to premiere in AMC theaters on February 13, 2026. It will then land on digital and VOD platforms at a later date. Keep an eye out for more coverage and interviews soon for this edge-of-your-seat, nightmare-inducing film that reminds you to be careful about taking drinks from people. If you want an inside look at the film, head over to its official website.
