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Horror events, screenings and experiences — premieres, festivals and one-night-only shows.

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Spoiler-Free Film Review: "The Complex Forms" (Slamdance Film Festival)

Spoiler-Free Film Review: “The Complex Forms” (Slamdance Film Festival)

It is January 22, 2024 as I write this review, and I have my first strong candidate for my list of best films of 2024: writer/director Fabio D’Orta’s genre-blending Italian chiller The Complex Forms. With his film, which he himself lensed in luscious black-and-white, D’Orta uses for inspiration classic cinema both Italian and international, investing these inspirations with a modern sensibility and a maverick vision. The budget may have been low, but the look of the film — including fantastical, beautifully rendered creature design — belies that fact. Christian Del Ben (David White) is down on his luck to the point that he has agreed to sell the use of his body to a mysterious entity for a sum of money that will help him get back on his feet. This takes place in a mysterious villa, the location of which none of the men who have made the pact know about. Del Ben is roommates with the affable Luh

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 24, 2024
Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “The Looming” and “Dream Creep” (Sundance Film Festival)

Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “The Looming” and “Dream Creep” (Sundance Film Festival)

THE LOOMING So often in horror films the elderly are portrayed as scary or creepy subjects, something to fear, run from, or even kill. Occasionally, they are treated with more reverence and respect than usual in fright-fare cinema, such as in director Natalie Erika James’s Relic (2020). Writer/director Masha Ko’s new short The Looming is another such film that examines the plight of the aged and lonely, delivering heartbreak along with horror. Seventy-year-old Chester (Joseph Lopez in an absolutely amazing performance) begins to hear terrifying noises in his home, where he lives alone, and his fears are dismissed both at his job and by his adult daughter, who refuses to come to his home to discuss the matter. Something is indeed, as the title says, looming around Chester, though. Ko has crafted a superb-looking, emotionally charged work that draws attention to the importance of the fears of the elderly, and to how they deserve our attention. I give The Looming

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 23, 2024
Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “Legend of El Cucuy,” “PU EKAW TNOD,” “Blockbuster,” and “Welcome to the Enclave” (Slamdance Film Festival)

Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “Legend of El Cucuy,” “PU EKAW TNOD,” “Blockbuster,” and “Welcome to the Enclave” (Slamdance Film Festival)

Legend of El Cucuy Folklore horror meets problems of modern parenting in writer/director Cynthia Garcia Williams’ short film Legend of El Cucuy. Laura (Diana Sanchez) and Carlos (Effie Cacarnakis) are attempting to raise their young daughter Isabel (Obriella Genesis Witron) with as much freedom from rules at home and school as possible, but when the girl starts really acting up, Carlos attempts to straighten her out some by telling her the tale of El Cucuy, a ghostlike monster that kidnaps disobedient children, with origins in folk tales from Spain and Portugal. The short boasts great cinematography and a fine score, impressive performances, engaging direction, and impressive CGI and practical effects makeup work. It is certainly worthy of being expanded into a feature-length film. PU EKAW TNOD In writer/director Rebecca Culverhouse’s U.K. horror short PU EKAW TNOD, a young couple (Dorothea Jones and Harold Addo) watch a horror film together when they discover that they are suddenly in a dreamworld —

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 23, 2024
Teaser Trailer: There's a Dark 'Presence' In Steven Soderbergh's New Horror Film

Presence: A Film So Unnerving Viewers Walked Out at Sundance

After premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, one movie, Steven Soderbergh‘s film Presence, left viewers shook. The psychological horror thriller that stars Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Chris Sullivan was so intense that some audience members walked out. Not because it wasn’t good, but because it was too intense. Written by David Koepp, the movie centers around the Payne family. After moving into a new house, they soon discover they are not alone. Presence is a haunted house movie. However, there is a twist: the story is told from the perspective of the entity that haunts the family. According to Variety, when it premiered at Sundance, it proved to be too much to handle for some. Several viewers exited the film before its end, reportedly saying, “I cannot take this stress so late at night.” One of the viewers stated they suffered from “edge-of-the-seat anxiety.” But viewers were not the only ones affected by Presence. Cast members have indicated

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 22, 2024
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Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Announces 2024 Glasgow Film Festival Line-up

Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Announces 2024 Glasgow Film Festival Line-up

FrightFest, the UK’s No.1 horror fantasy event, returns to the renowned Glasgow Film Festival for its 19th year, from Thurs 7 March to Sat 9 March 2024. This year’s diverse and creative line-up, once again housed at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre, showcases the latest new releases from the horror, chiller and fantastic realms by auteurs from all over the globe who are not only transforming the genre in exciting ways but also celebrating its consistent appeal at the box office. This year we will be presenting twelve films from eight countries, spanning three continents, including two world and eight UK premieres. Festival co-director Alan Jones says, “We live in amazing times of change in the delivery of the audiovisual experience, but festivals like the GFF and FrightFest remain constant and committed to bringing all of these advances together for lively debate because the magic of cinema knows no boundaries”. FrightFest kicks off in thrilling style on Thurs 7 March

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 18, 2024
ICE NINE KILLS ANNOUNCES SILVER SCREAM CON III!

ICE NINE KILLS ANNOUNCES SILVER SCREAM CON III!

Prepare For the Threequel of Your Dreams! Ice Nine Kills, the insanely popular, self-proclaimed “theatricore” metal band hailing out of Massachusetts has announced their 3rd annual Silver Scream Convention for September, Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th! If you have yet to attend one of these conventions, this is the year to check it out! There will be celebs, merch, cosplayers, music, gore, and so much more! All to be announced soon! Ice Nine Kills, or INK for short, has been blowing up I lately, and the con itself has been getting bigger and bigger with each year. This time around it’s being moved to the DCU Center in Worcester, MA to help accommodate the insane demand for this event! This is a much larger venue than the prior two years, and I’m super excited to see how they put the extra room to use! I’ve been to tons of horror conventions, and The Silver Scream Con is one

Continue reading →
Joshua Scafidi
Jan 17, 2024
Inaugural Amazing Fantasy Fest Announces Its First Wave

Wisconsin’s MidWest WeirdFest Lives Up to Its Name Once Again

Aficionados of high strangeness and offbeat films, make your plans now to attend this year’s edition of MidWest WeirdFest, happening March 1-3, 2024 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Festival Founder and Programming Director Dean Bertram has once again selected an incredible array of the odd, the unusual, and the terrifying. Following is the official press announcement. MidWest WeirdFest announces its first programming wave for 2024 today. The cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, paranormal, and just plain weird, is now in its 8th year. The festival takes place March 1-3, 2024 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. “Prepare for your first glimpse into the inner sanctum of 2024’s cinematic chapel of the weird”, says festival founder and programming director Dean Bertram. “Today, MidWest WeirdFest is delighted to announce this year’s first wave of feature programming. And it’s loaded with weirdness: from aspirational super villains and blind (and blind drunk) avengers, through UFOs

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 13, 2024
Shocks and Shudders Abound in SXSW 2024 Film Festival's First Wave Announcement

Shocks and Shudders Abound in SXSW 2024 Film Festival’s First Wave Announcement

This year’s takes place, as always, in Austin, Texas — this year from March 8–16, 2024 — and the fest has just announced its first-wave lineup. Following is the list of Midnighters, which SXSW says are “Exciting after-dark features for genre lovers and the terminally curious,” along with German shocker Cuckoo, which screens under the Narrative Spotlight section. Descriptions are from the festival’s official press announcement. Cuckoo Director/Screenwriter: Tilman Singer, Producers: Markus Halberschmidt, Josh Rosenbaum, Maria Tsigka, Ken Kao, Thor Bradwell, Ben Rimmer On a trip to the German Alps with her father and stepmother, Gretchen discovers that the resort town where they’re staying hides sinister secrets, as she’s plagued by strange noises and frightening visions of a woman pursuing her. Cast: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwick, Marton Csókás, Jan Bluthardt (International Premiere) Azrael Director: E.L. Katz, Producers: Dan Kagan, Simon Barrett, Dave Caplan, Screenwriter: Simon Barrett Many years following the apocalypse, a devout cult of mute zealots hunts

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 11, 2024
Final Girls Berlin Film Festival Offers In-Person and Online Viewing for Its Ninth Edition

Final Girls Berlin Film Festival Offers In-Person and Online Viewing for Its Ninth Edition

The FINAL GIRLS BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL proudly unveils its 9th edition, featuring a captivating array of horror cinema that includes nine feature films, twelve short film blocks, and a variety of horror-themed events and workshops led by international genre experts. This year’s program highlights queer horror narratives, digital dystopias, eco horror, folk horror, the absurd & surreal, and more. Scheduled from February 7-11, 2023, the festival will take place at City Kino Wedding and will also feature an online component for broader accessibility. Dedicated to elevating the work of women and non-binary filmmakers in the horror genre, Final Girls Berlin Film Festival has earned recognition as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 50 Genre Festivals in the World and has been named among Dead Central’s The Best Horror Festivals in the World. This edition continues the festival’s tradition of challenging conventions and showcasing groundbreaking horror that pushes boundaries and sparks conversation. Watch our 2024 trailer here! FEATURE FILMS BOOGER Written and

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 8, 2024
'In a Violent Nature' Is Slashing its Way onto a Collector's Edition Blu-ray

Shudder Snags Slasher ‘In a Violent Nature’ Ahead of Sundance Premiere

Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service dedicated to all things horror, has acquired the chilling new slasher film In a Violent Nature ahead of its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. This marks Shudder’s fifth consecutive year, bringing spooky thrills to the prestigious festival. A Fresh Bite on the Slasher Genre In a Violent Nature promises a unique twist on the classic slasher formula. The film features an undead antagonist, Johnny, tearing through a remote wilderness on a rampage. Writer and director Chris Nash, in his feature film debut, crafts a story that balances “atmospheric creeping dread” with “shocking gore,” according to Shudder’s vice president of programming, Samuel Zimmerman. This tonal blend echoes Shudder’s successful originals like Skinamarink and When Evil Lurks. A Collaborative Triumph It is produced under the Shudder Original banner. Peter Kuplowsky co-produces along with Shannon Hanmer. “In a Violent Nature” represents a culmination of creative passion. Kuplowsky praises Nash’s vision for blending genres and expresses

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 2, 2024

More from Events

Spoiler-Free Film Review: "The Complex Forms" (Slamdance Film Festival)

Spoiler-Free Film Review: “The Complex Forms” (Slamdance Film Festival)

It is January 22, 2024 as I write this review, and I have my first strong candidate for my list of best films of 2024: writer/director Fabio D’Orta’s genre-blending Italian chiller The Complex Forms. With his film, which he himself lensed in luscious black-and-white, D’Orta uses for inspiration classic cinema both Italian and international, investing these inspirations with a modern sensibility and a maverick vision. The budget may have been low, but the look of the film — including fantastical, beautifully rendered creature design — belies that fact. Christian Del Ben (David White) is down on his luck to the point that he has agreed to sell the use of his body to a mysterious entity for a sum of money that will help him get back on his feet. This takes place in a mysterious villa, the location of which none of the men who have made the pact know about. Del Ben is roommates with the affable Luh

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 24, 2024
Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “The Looming” and “Dream Creep” (Sundance Film Festival)

Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “The Looming” and “Dream Creep” (Sundance Film Festival)

THE LOOMING So often in horror films the elderly are portrayed as scary or creepy subjects, something to fear, run from, or even kill. Occasionally, they are treated with more reverence and respect than usual in fright-fare cinema, such as in director Natalie Erika James’s Relic (2020). Writer/director Masha Ko’s new short The Looming is another such film that examines the plight of the aged and lonely, delivering heartbreak along with horror. Seventy-year-old Chester (Joseph Lopez in an absolutely amazing performance) begins to hear terrifying noises in his home, where he lives alone, and his fears are dismissed both at his job and by his adult daughter, who refuses to come to his home to discuss the matter. Something is indeed, as the title says, looming around Chester, though. Ko has crafted a superb-looking, emotionally charged work that draws attention to the importance of the fears of the elderly, and to how they deserve our attention. I give The Looming

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 23, 2024
Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “Legend of El Cucuy,” “PU EKAW TNOD,” “Blockbuster,” and “Welcome to the Enclave” (Slamdance Film Festival)

Spoiler-Free Short-Film Reviews: “Legend of El Cucuy,” “PU EKAW TNOD,” “Blockbuster,” and “Welcome to the Enclave” (Slamdance Film Festival)

Legend of El Cucuy Folklore horror meets problems of modern parenting in writer/director Cynthia Garcia Williams’ short film Legend of El Cucuy. Laura (Diana Sanchez) and Carlos (Effie Cacarnakis) are attempting to raise their young daughter Isabel (Obriella Genesis Witron) with as much freedom from rules at home and school as possible, but when the girl starts really acting up, Carlos attempts to straighten her out some by telling her the tale of El Cucuy, a ghostlike monster that kidnaps disobedient children, with origins in folk tales from Spain and Portugal. The short boasts great cinematography and a fine score, impressive performances, engaging direction, and impressive CGI and practical effects makeup work. It is certainly worthy of being expanded into a feature-length film. PU EKAW TNOD In writer/director Rebecca Culverhouse’s U.K. horror short PU EKAW TNOD, a young couple (Dorothea Jones and Harold Addo) watch a horror film together when they discover that they are suddenly in a dreamworld —

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 23, 2024
Teaser Trailer: There's a Dark 'Presence' In Steven Soderbergh's New Horror Film

Presence: A Film So Unnerving Viewers Walked Out at Sundance

After premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, one movie, Steven Soderbergh‘s film Presence, left viewers shook. The psychological horror thriller that stars Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Chris Sullivan was so intense that some audience members walked out. Not because it wasn’t good, but because it was too intense. Written by David Koepp, the movie centers around the Payne family. After moving into a new house, they soon discover they are not alone. Presence is a haunted house movie. However, there is a twist: the story is told from the perspective of the entity that haunts the family. According to Variety, when it premiered at Sundance, it proved to be too much to handle for some. Several viewers exited the film before its end, reportedly saying, “I cannot take this stress so late at night.” One of the viewers stated they suffered from “edge-of-the-seat anxiety.” But viewers were not the only ones affected by Presence. Cast members have indicated

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 22, 2024
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Announces 2024 Glasgow Film Festival Line-up

Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Announces 2024 Glasgow Film Festival Line-up

FrightFest, the UK’s No.1 horror fantasy event, returns to the renowned Glasgow Film Festival for its 19th year, from Thurs 7 March to Sat 9 March 2024. This year’s diverse and creative line-up, once again housed at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre, showcases the latest new releases from the horror, chiller and fantastic realms by auteurs from all over the globe who are not only transforming the genre in exciting ways but also celebrating its consistent appeal at the box office. This year we will be presenting twelve films from eight countries, spanning three continents, including two world and eight UK premieres. Festival co-director Alan Jones says, “We live in amazing times of change in the delivery of the audiovisual experience, but festivals like the GFF and FrightFest remain constant and committed to bringing all of these advances together for lively debate because the magic of cinema knows no boundaries”. FrightFest kicks off in thrilling style on Thurs 7 March

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 18, 2024
ICE NINE KILLS ANNOUNCES SILVER SCREAM CON III!

ICE NINE KILLS ANNOUNCES SILVER SCREAM CON III!

Prepare For the Threequel of Your Dreams! Ice Nine Kills, the insanely popular, self-proclaimed “theatricore” metal band hailing out of Massachusetts has announced their 3rd annual Silver Scream Convention for September, Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th! If you have yet to attend one of these conventions, this is the year to check it out! There will be celebs, merch, cosplayers, music, gore, and so much more! All to be announced soon! Ice Nine Kills, or INK for short, has been blowing up I lately, and the con itself has been getting bigger and bigger with each year. This time around it’s being moved to the DCU Center in Worcester, MA to help accommodate the insane demand for this event! This is a much larger venue than the prior two years, and I’m super excited to see how they put the extra room to use! I’ve been to tons of horror conventions, and The Silver Scream Con is one

Continue reading →
Joshua Scafidi
Jan 17, 2024
Inaugural Amazing Fantasy Fest Announces Its First Wave

Wisconsin’s MidWest WeirdFest Lives Up to Its Name Once Again

Aficionados of high strangeness and offbeat films, make your plans now to attend this year’s edition of MidWest WeirdFest, happening March 1-3, 2024 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Festival Founder and Programming Director Dean Bertram has once again selected an incredible array of the odd, the unusual, and the terrifying. Following is the official press announcement. MidWest WeirdFest announces its first programming wave for 2024 today. The cinematic celebration of all things fantastic, frightening, paranormal, and just plain weird, is now in its 8th year. The festival takes place March 1-3, 2024 at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. “Prepare for your first glimpse into the inner sanctum of 2024’s cinematic chapel of the weird”, says festival founder and programming director Dean Bertram. “Today, MidWest WeirdFest is delighted to announce this year’s first wave of feature programming. And it’s loaded with weirdness: from aspirational super villains and blind (and blind drunk) avengers, through UFOs

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 13, 2024
Shocks and Shudders Abound in SXSW 2024 Film Festival's First Wave Announcement

Shocks and Shudders Abound in SXSW 2024 Film Festival’s First Wave Announcement

This year’s takes place, as always, in Austin, Texas — this year from March 8–16, 2024 — and the fest has just announced its first-wave lineup. Following is the list of Midnighters, which SXSW says are “Exciting after-dark features for genre lovers and the terminally curious,” along with German shocker Cuckoo, which screens under the Narrative Spotlight section. Descriptions are from the festival’s official press announcement. Cuckoo Director/Screenwriter: Tilman Singer, Producers: Markus Halberschmidt, Josh Rosenbaum, Maria Tsigka, Ken Kao, Thor Bradwell, Ben Rimmer On a trip to the German Alps with her father and stepmother, Gretchen discovers that the resort town where they’re staying hides sinister secrets, as she’s plagued by strange noises and frightening visions of a woman pursuing her. Cast: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwick, Marton Csókás, Jan Bluthardt (International Premiere) Azrael Director: E.L. Katz, Producers: Dan Kagan, Simon Barrett, Dave Caplan, Screenwriter: Simon Barrett Many years following the apocalypse, a devout cult of mute zealots hunts

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 11, 2024
Final Girls Berlin Film Festival Offers In-Person and Online Viewing for Its Ninth Edition

Final Girls Berlin Film Festival Offers In-Person and Online Viewing for Its Ninth Edition

The FINAL GIRLS BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL proudly unveils its 9th edition, featuring a captivating array of horror cinema that includes nine feature films, twelve short film blocks, and a variety of horror-themed events and workshops led by international genre experts. This year’s program highlights queer horror narratives, digital dystopias, eco horror, folk horror, the absurd & surreal, and more. Scheduled from February 7-11, 2023, the festival will take place at City Kino Wedding and will also feature an online component for broader accessibility. Dedicated to elevating the work of women and non-binary filmmakers in the horror genre, Final Girls Berlin Film Festival has earned recognition as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 50 Genre Festivals in the World and has been named among Dead Central’s The Best Horror Festivals in the World. This edition continues the festival’s tradition of challenging conventions and showcasing groundbreaking horror that pushes boundaries and sparks conversation. Watch our 2024 trailer here! FEATURE FILMS BOOGER Written and

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Jan 8, 2024
'In a Violent Nature' Is Slashing its Way onto a Collector's Edition Blu-ray

Shudder Snags Slasher ‘In a Violent Nature’ Ahead of Sundance Premiere

Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service dedicated to all things horror, has acquired the chilling new slasher film In a Violent Nature ahead of its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. This marks Shudder’s fifth consecutive year, bringing spooky thrills to the prestigious festival. A Fresh Bite on the Slasher Genre In a Violent Nature promises a unique twist on the classic slasher formula. The film features an undead antagonist, Johnny, tearing through a remote wilderness on a rampage. Writer and director Chris Nash, in his feature film debut, crafts a story that balances “atmospheric creeping dread” with “shocking gore,” according to Shudder’s vice president of programming, Samuel Zimmerman. This tonal blend echoes Shudder’s successful originals like Skinamarink and When Evil Lurks. A Collaborative Triumph It is produced under the Shudder Original banner. Peter Kuplowsky co-produces along with Shannon Hanmer. “In a Violent Nature” represents a culmination of creative passion. Kuplowsky praises Nash’s vision for blending genres and expresses

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jan 2, 2024
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