CategoryForeign
International horror: J-horror, European extremity, Latin American shocks and the films Hollywood keeps remaking.
901 stories
EventsFilm FestivalsForeignMoviesNewsSci-Fi
London’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween film festival is the place to be for fright-fare fanatics! The event features horror and science fiction features with world, international, and U.K. premieres aplenty. Following is the official press announcement. Following the success of its spectacular 25th Anniversary August five-day event, the UK’s most popular genre film festival returns to the Odeon Luxe West End in Leicester Square. Taking over both screens on Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd November, the Halloween special will feature nine premiere titles from six countries, spanning Europe, North America, South America and Asia, making it a truly spine-chilling display of global talent. Each film will be screened twice. Tickets Opening the event is the UK premiere of Sam Yates’s MAGPIE, a darkly intense psychological thriller which thrives in its classic neo-noir atmosphere, eliciting tension that is seconds away from permanently snapping. Daisy Ridley delivers a tour de force performance as a neglected wife on the edge, and will
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviews
Writer/director Dean Puckett’s The Severed Sun (U.K., 2024) is an engrossing work that takes folk horror elements and sets them in an ambiguous time period — the story could be taking place in the past but a couple of items suggest that it could also be set in an isolated rural area in the present day. The Pastor (Toby Stephens) leads a village of followers who must adhere to his religious moral code. The upstanding reputations of the men of the village must be upheld, even if it means covering up or ignoring their physical and mental abuse toward family members. When the pastor’s daughter Magpie (Emma Appleton) decides to no longer take such abuse from her husband toward his sons and her, she kills him, and some of the other flock members are suspicious of her claims of the death being an accident. Magpie grows further away from the strict religious regiment demanded of the Pastor’s followers to the
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Christina (Ana Belén) has it all, she lives a comfortable life with her husband Marcos (Juan Diego), the host of a truly ridiculous variety show, and she is expecting the couples first child, but… A brief “attack” from a black German Shepard causes Christina to miscarry, so Marcos whisks Christina off for a romp on the beach where they spent their honeymoon, but in a shocking twist of fate (though definitely nothing compared to what’s to come), Christina befriends a stray dog of the same breed as the one who hassled her earlier. Now there’s no way to say this gently… Christina has an affair with the dog (sex implied, so there’s that), and soon a choice has to be made between Marcos or the dog. It isn’t much of a Sophie’s Choice level decision, as Marcos is a pretty terrible human being… I can’t believe I’m typing this… wait, yes I can… Anyway, what could have been a mega-sleazy
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviews
Lee Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and Yoon Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) are a shaman duo that offers their services to those that are plagued by the vengeful spirits of deceased family members… like the one plaguing the wealthy Park family, and let me tell ya, this one’s a fuckin’ doozy of a creepy case. So complex is the job, that our heroes call in the help of geomancer Kim Sang-deok (Choi Min-sik) and his coroner partner Go Yeong-geun (Yoo Hae-jin) to assist in the exhumation of the relative’s coffin via a traditional ceremony after which the coffin and remains will be cremated. No matter how seasoned our shamans are, things go tits up with the quickness once a rain delay keeps that corpse from getting crispy (can’t burn ’em on a soggy day… bad luck) and of course some ass just has to go and open the coffin setting the evill spirit free to go on a supernatural bender that spells bad
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviewsSci-Fi
Sumuru (Goldfinger‘s Shirley Eaton) is one deadly woman, she’s also a near-comic book styled super-villain hell bent on replacing the powerful male leaders of the world of the Swinging Sixties with her cadre of her murderous all-girl army, members of whom kill men with their thighs for kicks! One such attempt of Sumuru’s evil plan leads to a threat being made on the life of the leader of Sinonesia, President Boong (played by noted lunatic Klaus Fuckin’ Kinski) which results in horny C.I.A. operatives Nick West (George Nader) and Tommy Carter (Frankie Avalon sans beach, blanket, and bingo) being called in to investigate by by the head of British Intelligence, Sir Anthony Baisbrook (Wilfrid Hyde-White, whom you may remember from the original Battlestar Galactica, or that Star Trek-ass second season of Buck Rogers). Our (occasionally) hammered heroes are hot on the case and travel from Europe to Hong Kong where they are soon up to their asses in the machinations
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesNewsProductTrailers
Unearthed Films is gearing up to unleash cult director Noboru Tanaka’s 1983 film Village of Doom, which explores the Tsuyama Massacre. This true crime story delves into the horrific events that unfolded in the rural village of Kamo, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, in 1938. It is a horrific true story of war, death, and brutality. Driven by a sense of isolation and despair, Mutsuo Toi, a 21-year-old man with tuberculosis, embarked on a brutal killing spree that claimed the lives of 30 people, including his own grandmother. Armed with a shotgun, Japanese sword, and an axe, Toi’s rampage remains the deadliest mass murder in Japanese history. Unearthed Films’ Blu-Ray release of Village of Doom is highly anticipated for its superior picture and sound quality. The film has been digitally restored to ensure a more immersive viewing experience. Additionally, the Blu-Ray includes exciting bonus features: Blu-ray Bonus Features: Audio commentary by Asian film experts Arne Venema and Mike Leeder Dark Asia with
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesNewsTrailers
This Friday, the chilling new K-horror movie Sleep from writer Jason Yu is poised to disrupt your slumber and may leave you plagued by unsettling, terror-filled dreams when it opens in theaters and arrives on Digital. The movie centers on a newly married couple, Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi). Their seemingly idyllic life takes a terrifying turn when Hyun-su begins exhibiting disturbing sleepwalking behavior, known as parasomnia. As Hyun-su mutters cryptic phrases and acts strangely in his sleep, Soo-jin grapples with mounting fear. She has the unsettling suspicion that a sinister force may be at play. With their young family at stake, the couple desperately seeks answers and a way to stop Hyun-su’s increasingly erratic sleepwalking before something terrible occurs. Sleep boasts an impressive cast, which includes stars like Lee Sun-kyun from the critically acclaimed film Parasite and Jung Yu-mi. Director Jason Yu, who honed his craft under renowned Korean filmmakers Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong, brings a
Continue reading →
ForeignK-HorrorMoviesTrailers
The chilling new K-horror film Sleep has dreamed up a release date for this month. Writer-director Jason Yu’s film is poised to disrupt your slumber and may leave you plagued by unsettling, terror-filled dreams. The movie centers on a newly married couple, Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi). Their seemingly idyllic life takes a terrifying turn when Hyun-su begins exhibiting disturbing sleepwalking behavior, known as parasomnia. As Hyun-su mutters cryptic phrases and acts strangely in his sleep, Soo-jin grapples with mounting fear. She has the unsettling suspicion that a sinister force may be at play. With their young family at stake, the couple desperately seeks answers and a way to stop Hyun-su’s increasingly erratic sleepwalking before something terrible occurs. Sleep boasts a captivating cast, which includes stars like Lee Sun-kyun from the critically acclaimed film Parasite and Jung Yu-mi. Director Jason Yu, who honed his craft under renowned Korean filmmakers Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong, brings a unique perspective
Continue reading →
ForeignIndieMoviesNewsThrillerTrailersTrue Crime
Utopia’s critically acclaimed psychological cyber-horror movie Red Rooms is now in select theaters. Writer-director Pascal Plante calls the film “true-crime meets genre cinema.” He promises an exploration of our fascination with serial killers, murderers, and the dangers lurking in the dark corners of the internet. Inspired by the unsettling true crimes of “red rooms“—online spaces that host dark and violent content—the film delves into the disturbing phenomenon of serial killer fandom. Plante further grounds the movie in the reality of today’s cybersecurity threats, creating a terrifying killer born in the digital age. More than just a horror film, Red Rooms offers a nuanced commentary on our relationship with technology. The movie doesn’t rely on graphic violence to be chilling. Instead, it focuses on the psychological impact of exposure to such darkness. Plante uses the central character to explore how technology can fuel loneliness and isolation, driving individuals toward dark obsessions. In the film, Kelly-Anne becomes enthralled by the trial of
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviews
Picture it, Kyoto, 1949. A ratty hermit enters a renowned Karate tournament held by Japan’s Karate masters and absolutely sweeps the event due to his mastery of “real” Karate, as opposed to the showier style of his peers. That man, Masutatsu Oyama (played by action master Sonny Chiba, 1974’s Street Fighter series of films from Toei, who also produced this picture) was a real-life, Korean born Karate master that not only had a true passion for murdering bulls with his bare-hands, but also was Chiba’s sensei… but this film is based more on Karate Baka Ichidai, the manga-version of Oyama’s life (created by Ikki Kajiwara, Jirô Tsunoda, and Jôya Kagemaru, here adapted by screenwriter Norifumi Suzuki) than the actual events, which thankfully means less bull deaths are involved… but I’m getting ahead of myself… Oyama’s victory means jack shit to him (because it was against inferior Karate remember) and after a show of strength and ability against a gaggle of
Continue reading →
More from Foreign
EventsFilm FestivalsForeignMoviesNewsSci-Fi
London’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween film festival is the place to be for fright-fare fanatics! The event features horror and science fiction features with world, international, and U.K. premieres aplenty. Following is the official press announcement. Following the success of its spectacular 25th Anniversary August five-day event, the UK’s most popular genre film festival returns to the Odeon Luxe West End in Leicester Square. Taking over both screens on Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd November, the Halloween special will feature nine premiere titles from six countries, spanning Europe, North America, South America and Asia, making it a truly spine-chilling display of global talent. Each film will be screened twice. Tickets Opening the event is the UK premiere of Sam Yates’s MAGPIE, a darkly intense psychological thriller which thrives in its classic neo-noir atmosphere, eliciting tension that is seconds away from permanently snapping. Daisy Ridley delivers a tour de force performance as a neglected wife on the edge, and will
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviews
Writer/director Dean Puckett’s The Severed Sun (U.K., 2024) is an engrossing work that takes folk horror elements and sets them in an ambiguous time period — the story could be taking place in the past but a couple of items suggest that it could also be set in an isolated rural area in the present day. The Pastor (Toby Stephens) leads a village of followers who must adhere to his religious moral code. The upstanding reputations of the men of the village must be upheld, even if it means covering up or ignoring their physical and mental abuse toward family members. When the pastor’s daughter Magpie (Emma Appleton) decides to no longer take such abuse from her husband toward his sons and her, she kills him, and some of the other flock members are suspicious of her claims of the death being an accident. Magpie grows further away from the strict religious regiment demanded of the Pastor’s followers to the
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Christina (Ana Belén) has it all, she lives a comfortable life with her husband Marcos (Juan Diego), the host of a truly ridiculous variety show, and she is expecting the couples first child, but… A brief “attack” from a black German Shepard causes Christina to miscarry, so Marcos whisks Christina off for a romp on the beach where they spent their honeymoon, but in a shocking twist of fate (though definitely nothing compared to what’s to come), Christina befriends a stray dog of the same breed as the one who hassled her earlier. Now there’s no way to say this gently… Christina has an affair with the dog (sex implied, so there’s that), and soon a choice has to be made between Marcos or the dog. It isn’t much of a Sophie’s Choice level decision, as Marcos is a pretty terrible human being… I can’t believe I’m typing this… wait, yes I can… Anyway, what could have been a mega-sleazy
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviews
Lee Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and Yoon Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) are a shaman duo that offers their services to those that are plagued by the vengeful spirits of deceased family members… like the one plaguing the wealthy Park family, and let me tell ya, this one’s a fuckin’ doozy of a creepy case. So complex is the job, that our heroes call in the help of geomancer Kim Sang-deok (Choi Min-sik) and his coroner partner Go Yeong-geun (Yoo Hae-jin) to assist in the exhumation of the relative’s coffin via a traditional ceremony after which the coffin and remains will be cremated. No matter how seasoned our shamans are, things go tits up with the quickness once a rain delay keeps that corpse from getting crispy (can’t burn ’em on a soggy day… bad luck) and of course some ass just has to go and open the coffin setting the evill spirit free to go on a supernatural bender that spells bad
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviewsSci-Fi
Sumuru (Goldfinger‘s Shirley Eaton) is one deadly woman, she’s also a near-comic book styled super-villain hell bent on replacing the powerful male leaders of the world of the Swinging Sixties with her cadre of her murderous all-girl army, members of whom kill men with their thighs for kicks! One such attempt of Sumuru’s evil plan leads to a threat being made on the life of the leader of Sinonesia, President Boong (played by noted lunatic Klaus Fuckin’ Kinski) which results in horny C.I.A. operatives Nick West (George Nader) and Tommy Carter (Frankie Avalon sans beach, blanket, and bingo) being called in to investigate by by the head of British Intelligence, Sir Anthony Baisbrook (Wilfrid Hyde-White, whom you may remember from the original Battlestar Galactica, or that Star Trek-ass second season of Buck Rogers). Our (occasionally) hammered heroes are hot on the case and travel from Europe to Hong Kong where they are soon up to their asses in the machinations
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesNewsProductTrailers
Unearthed Films is gearing up to unleash cult director Noboru Tanaka’s 1983 film Village of Doom, which explores the Tsuyama Massacre. This true crime story delves into the horrific events that unfolded in the rural village of Kamo, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, in 1938. It is a horrific true story of war, death, and brutality. Driven by a sense of isolation and despair, Mutsuo Toi, a 21-year-old man with tuberculosis, embarked on a brutal killing spree that claimed the lives of 30 people, including his own grandmother. Armed with a shotgun, Japanese sword, and an axe, Toi’s rampage remains the deadliest mass murder in Japanese history. Unearthed Films’ Blu-Ray release of Village of Doom is highly anticipated for its superior picture and sound quality. The film has been digitally restored to ensure a more immersive viewing experience. Additionally, the Blu-Ray includes exciting bonus features: Blu-ray Bonus Features: Audio commentary by Asian film experts Arne Venema and Mike Leeder Dark Asia with
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesNewsTrailers
This Friday, the chilling new K-horror movie Sleep from writer Jason Yu is poised to disrupt your slumber and may leave you plagued by unsettling, terror-filled dreams when it opens in theaters and arrives on Digital. The movie centers on a newly married couple, Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi). Their seemingly idyllic life takes a terrifying turn when Hyun-su begins exhibiting disturbing sleepwalking behavior, known as parasomnia. As Hyun-su mutters cryptic phrases and acts strangely in his sleep, Soo-jin grapples with mounting fear. She has the unsettling suspicion that a sinister force may be at play. With their young family at stake, the couple desperately seeks answers and a way to stop Hyun-su’s increasingly erratic sleepwalking before something terrible occurs. Sleep boasts an impressive cast, which includes stars like Lee Sun-kyun from the critically acclaimed film Parasite and Jung Yu-mi. Director Jason Yu, who honed his craft under renowned Korean filmmakers Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong, brings a
Continue reading →
ForeignK-HorrorMoviesTrailers
The chilling new K-horror film Sleep has dreamed up a release date for this month. Writer-director Jason Yu’s film is poised to disrupt your slumber and may leave you plagued by unsettling, terror-filled dreams. The movie centers on a newly married couple, Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi). Their seemingly idyllic life takes a terrifying turn when Hyun-su begins exhibiting disturbing sleepwalking behavior, known as parasomnia. As Hyun-su mutters cryptic phrases and acts strangely in his sleep, Soo-jin grapples with mounting fear. She has the unsettling suspicion that a sinister force may be at play. With their young family at stake, the couple desperately seeks answers and a way to stop Hyun-su’s increasingly erratic sleepwalking before something terrible occurs. Sleep boasts a captivating cast, which includes stars like Lee Sun-kyun from the critically acclaimed film Parasite and Jung Yu-mi. Director Jason Yu, who honed his craft under renowned Korean filmmakers Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong, brings a unique perspective
Continue reading →
ForeignIndieMoviesNewsThrillerTrailersTrue Crime
Utopia’s critically acclaimed psychological cyber-horror movie Red Rooms is now in select theaters. Writer-director Pascal Plante calls the film “true-crime meets genre cinema.” He promises an exploration of our fascination with serial killers, murderers, and the dangers lurking in the dark corners of the internet. Inspired by the unsettling true crimes of “red rooms“—online spaces that host dark and violent content—the film delves into the disturbing phenomenon of serial killer fandom. Plante further grounds the movie in the reality of today’s cybersecurity threats, creating a terrifying killer born in the digital age. More than just a horror film, Red Rooms offers a nuanced commentary on our relationship with technology. The movie doesn’t rely on graphic violence to be chilling. Instead, it focuses on the psychological impact of exposure to such darkness. Plante uses the central character to explore how technology can fuel loneliness and isolation, driving individuals toward dark obsessions. In the film, Kelly-Anne becomes enthralled by the trial of
Continue reading →
ForeignMoviesReviews
Picture it, Kyoto, 1949. A ratty hermit enters a renowned Karate tournament held by Japan’s Karate masters and absolutely sweeps the event due to his mastery of “real” Karate, as opposed to the showier style of his peers. That man, Masutatsu Oyama (played by action master Sonny Chiba, 1974’s Street Fighter series of films from Toei, who also produced this picture) was a real-life, Korean born Karate master that not only had a true passion for murdering bulls with his bare-hands, but also was Chiba’s sensei… but this film is based more on Karate Baka Ichidai, the manga-version of Oyama’s life (created by Ikki Kajiwara, Jirô Tsunoda, and Jôya Kagemaru, here adapted by screenwriter Norifumi Suzuki) than the actual events, which thankfully means less bull deaths are involved… but I’m getting ahead of myself… Oyama’s victory means jack shit to him (because it was against inferior Karate remember) and after a show of strength and ability against a gaggle of
Continue reading →
