CategoryThriller
Psychological thrillers, dark crime and slow-burn suspense — films and series that get under your skin without a single monster.
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Writer/director Jed Hart’s debut feature Restless (U.K., 2024) is a welcome, solid entry in the neighbors-from-Hell genre-film category, this one being a thriller with darkly comic elements. Although its main antagonist belongs to the uniquely British group known as chavs, the tension and stress brought on by that character’s constant partying and threatening demeanor will ring true for international viewers. Middle-aged empty nester Nicky (Lyndsey Marshal) is an overworked caregiver who lives a rather quite, simple life — until new neighbor Deano (Aston McAuley) moves in next door, throwing raging parties and blasting music all night. His lack of empathy toward Nicky and their other neighbors and his bullying behavior make it obvious that he will do nothing to change and make life more comfortable for Nicky, so she must find a solution to her miserable situation herself. Restless is driven by a superb performance from Marshal, who captures the frustrations of her character and the lengths that they drive
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsFilm FestivalsForeignFrom the CryptIndieMoviesNewsThriller
When Fantasia International Film Festival, Canada’s legendary genre film fest, makes announcements, we here at Horror Fuel take notice, and we want to share the good news about the event with our readers. Following is the official press announcement about the second wave of thrillers, chillers, and other fantastic fare for this year’s edition. The Fantasia International Film Festival will celebrate its upcoming 28th edition with an electrifying program of screenings, workshops, and launch events running from July 18 through August 4, 2024, returning yet again at the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas, with additional screens and events at Montréal’s Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Musée. The festival’s full lineup will be announced on July 3, but in the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a select second wave of premiere titles, along with the recipient of their 2024 Canadian Trailblazer award. OPENING FILM: ANT TIMPSON’S BOOKWORM, STARRING ELIJAH WOOD AND NELL FISHER Fantasia’s 28th edition will open
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsThrillerTrailers
Get ready for a non-stop adrenaline rush! Lionsgate is gearing up to unleash the action-thriller movie simply titled Kill. Written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, this utterly brutal film throws love, duty, and carnage onto a speeding train. To give us a taste of the brutality to come, Lionsgate has unleashed a new clip. Just a heads up, it’s NSFW! Kill centers around Amrit (Lakshya), a brave army commando driven by a desperate mission. When his true love Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) is forced into an arranged marriage, Amrit embarks on a journey to stop the ceremony. His quest leads him aboard a New Delhi-bound train, where his plans take a shocking turn. Amrit’s train ride takes a violent detour when a ruthless gang of knife-wielding thieves, led by the menacing Fani (Raghav Juyal), terrorizes the passengers. Forced into action, Amrit unleashes his combat skills to protect the innocent. What began as a mission to save a love story transforms
Continue reading →
AdaptationBooksMoviesNewsThriller
After years of delays and speculation, production is underway on the adaptation of Stephen King‘s horror-thriller The Long Walk. According to Collider, acclaimed director Francis Lawrence is confirmed to be at the helm, stepping in for Andre Øvredal. Based on the 1979 novel initially published under King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman, The Long Walk takes viewers on a terrifying journey into a dystopian America. In this cold, militaristic society, one hundred teenage boys are forced to compete in an annual walk. The rules are simple yet deadly: maintain a minimum pace of four miles per hour. Fall behind three times and face elimination. However, the last boy standing wins a mysterious prize, but at what cost? The story is a brutal and unflinching examination of human endurance and desperation. It delves into the depths of human nature, exploring themes of survival, camaraderie, and the ever-present threat of violence. King’s chilling story captures the popularity of dystopian fiction seen in franchises like
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsFilm FestivalsForeignMoviesNewsShort FilmsThriller
New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival is renowned for showcasing incredible films from around the world, created by established filmmakers and new voices alike. Horror and related genre fare are always in strong supply at the fest, as evidenced by its presentation of two of my absolute favorite films of last year, The Seeding and You’ll Never Find Me, along with many other great features and short films. This year’s edition, which runs June 5–16, promises more incredible cinema of the fearful and the fantastic. I was privileged to get an early look at the following chillers and thrillers before the fest, and though I can’t publish reviews until after the films make their Tribeca premieres — watch for my thoughts here on Horror Fuel soon after that — I can, at this time, highly recommend them to fright-fare aficionados as must-see viewing! Read on for press release descriptions for each film — in alphabetical order, by genre — with
Continue reading →
MoviesReviewsThriller
Kate and John Coleman (played by The Conjuring series’ Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard respectively) are down in the dumps and sorta on the rocks after the stillborn death of their third child, so they decide to adopt the freakishly gifted Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) from ye olde local orphanage. While their son, Daniel (Jimmy Bennett) is lukewarm to his new sister at best, his sister, the deaf mute Max (Aryana Engineer), couldn’t be more thrilled with Esther’s presence. Of course this being a fright flick and all, Esther has a few issues, and before long Kate is mega-suspicious that her brand-new terror tyke is much more than she seems, in the worst possible ways… a fact that the orphanage’s head honcho, Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder) confirms when she reveals the shaky past our girl had back home in Russia. Will Kate be able to convince the family that her feelings are correct, or will that home sweet home turn into
Continue reading →
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Get ready to be chilled to the bone with 30 Miles from Nowhere, a gripping horror thriller now streaming. This film takes viewers on a terrifying journey with a group of college friends who reunite under unsettling circumstances. In the film, Caitlin Koller‘s feature directorial debut, five college acquaintances gather in rural Wisconsin for a friend’s funeral. What starts as a somber reunion quickly descends into a nightmare as they encounter a sinister entity with a deadly agenda. Supernatural activity plagues the group, and their once-familiar surroundings transform into a terrifying battleground for survival. 30 Miles from Nowhere features a talented cast that brings the characters and their escalating terror to life. Seana Kofoed, Carrie Preston, and Rob Benedict deliver compelling performances, adding depth to the friends’ desperate struggle against a supernatural force. If you’re looking for a chilling cinematic experience, 30 Miles from Nowhere is now streaming on Peacock. Sign up now for a huge deal. Prepare to be
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsThrillerTrailers
From writer-director Ran Huang comes What Remains, a chilling new psychological thriller whose new trailer teases an exploration into the dark recesses of human obsession and the pursuit of truth. What Remains boasts an impressive cast featuring Gustaf Skarsgård (“Vikings”), Stellan Skarsgård (Dune: Part Two), father of the famous brothers, and Andrea Riseborough (“To Leslie”). The story unfolds within the confines of a 1990s Scandinavian psychiatric hospital. Mads Lake, a man labeled a serial killer, languishes after confessing to multiple murders. However, the narrative goes beyond a simple confession. Enter therapist Anna Rudebeck and policeman Soren Rank – two figures drawn into a complex web of manipulation and doubt. The three become locked in an uneasy triumvirate, each driven by a fervent desire to unearth the truth. As they delve deeper, the lines between obsession and sanity begin to blur. The case threatens to consume them all, raising the chilling question: will their pursuit of truth destroy them in the
Continue reading →
AdaptationBooksMoviesThrillerTrailers
While we wait for the new season of “Stranger Things,” star Sadie Sink has lent her talents to a new role in the chilling, pulse-pounding horror-thriller A Sacrifice (previously titled Berlin Nobody). Vertical Entertainment’s latest film features cults, rebellion, and the complexities of father-daughter relationships. A Sacrifice draws inspiration from Nicholas Hogg’s 2015 novel Tokyo Nobody.” Director Jordan Scott (Cracks), daughter of legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott, brings the story to life on the big screen, directing and serving as producer with his father, Ridley. The film centers on Ben Monroe (Eric Bana), an American social psychologist investigating a disturbing Berlin cult. As he delves deeper into his work, his world collides with that of his teenage daughter, Mazzy (Sadie Sink). Mazzy, a rebellious teenager, is drawn to the city’s underground party scene under the influence of a mysterious local boy. As their paths diverge, both father and daughter face escalating dangers. When Mazzy gets tangled with the cult Ben is
Continue reading →
AdaptationMoviesReviewsThriller
As per his dying wish, twenty years after rich eccentric geezer Cyrus West kicks the bucket, his relatives gather on a dark and stormy night for the reading of his will at his former arcane abode; a mansion that looks like German Expressionism mixed with Edgar Allan Poe aesthetics. Anyhow, this groovy gaggle of weirdos eventually discovers that Cyrus’ fortune is to be left to his niece Annabelle (prolific silent film actress Laura La Plante)… on the condition she be judged sane (something Cyrus himself would never be able to achieve) by the macabre medicine-man Doctor Ira Lazar (Lucien Littlefield). If she fails the exam, the riches will be given to the second choice family member who will be revealed in a separate sealed will… I mean for fuck’s sake dude, couldn’t you have just split that shit six ways among everyone and call it a day?! As if Annabelle isn’t under enough pressure from the threat of her remaining
Continue reading →
More from Thriller
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Writer/director Jed Hart’s debut feature Restless (U.K., 2024) is a welcome, solid entry in the neighbors-from-Hell genre-film category, this one being a thriller with darkly comic elements. Although its main antagonist belongs to the uniquely British group known as chavs, the tension and stress brought on by that character’s constant partying and threatening demeanor will ring true for international viewers. Middle-aged empty nester Nicky (Lyndsey Marshal) is an overworked caregiver who lives a rather quite, simple life — until new neighbor Deano (Aston McAuley) moves in next door, throwing raging parties and blasting music all night. His lack of empathy toward Nicky and their other neighbors and his bullying behavior make it obvious that he will do nothing to change and make life more comfortable for Nicky, so she must find a solution to her miserable situation herself. Restless is driven by a superb performance from Marshal, who captures the frustrations of her character and the lengths that they drive
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsFilm FestivalsForeignFrom the CryptIndieMoviesNewsThriller
When Fantasia International Film Festival, Canada’s legendary genre film fest, makes announcements, we here at Horror Fuel take notice, and we want to share the good news about the event with our readers. Following is the official press announcement about the second wave of thrillers, chillers, and other fantastic fare for this year’s edition. The Fantasia International Film Festival will celebrate its upcoming 28th edition with an electrifying program of screenings, workshops, and launch events running from July 18 through August 4, 2024, returning yet again at the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas, with additional screens and events at Montréal’s Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Musée. The festival’s full lineup will be announced on July 3, but in the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a select second wave of premiere titles, along with the recipient of their 2024 Canadian Trailblazer award. OPENING FILM: ANT TIMPSON’S BOOKWORM, STARRING ELIJAH WOOD AND NELL FISHER Fantasia’s 28th edition will open
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsThrillerTrailers
Get ready for a non-stop adrenaline rush! Lionsgate is gearing up to unleash the action-thriller movie simply titled Kill. Written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, this utterly brutal film throws love, duty, and carnage onto a speeding train. To give us a taste of the brutality to come, Lionsgate has unleashed a new clip. Just a heads up, it’s NSFW! Kill centers around Amrit (Lakshya), a brave army commando driven by a desperate mission. When his true love Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) is forced into an arranged marriage, Amrit embarks on a journey to stop the ceremony. His quest leads him aboard a New Delhi-bound train, where his plans take a shocking turn. Amrit’s train ride takes a violent detour when a ruthless gang of knife-wielding thieves, led by the menacing Fani (Raghav Juyal), terrorizes the passengers. Forced into action, Amrit unleashes his combat skills to protect the innocent. What began as a mission to save a love story transforms
Continue reading →
AdaptationBooksMoviesNewsThriller
After years of delays and speculation, production is underway on the adaptation of Stephen King‘s horror-thriller The Long Walk. According to Collider, acclaimed director Francis Lawrence is confirmed to be at the helm, stepping in for Andre Øvredal. Based on the 1979 novel initially published under King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman, The Long Walk takes viewers on a terrifying journey into a dystopian America. In this cold, militaristic society, one hundred teenage boys are forced to compete in an annual walk. The rules are simple yet deadly: maintain a minimum pace of four miles per hour. Fall behind three times and face elimination. However, the last boy standing wins a mysterious prize, but at what cost? The story is a brutal and unflinching examination of human endurance and desperation. It delves into the depths of human nature, exploring themes of survival, camaraderie, and the ever-present threat of violence. King’s chilling story captures the popularity of dystopian fiction seen in franchises like
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsFilm FestivalsForeignMoviesNewsShort FilmsThriller
New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival is renowned for showcasing incredible films from around the world, created by established filmmakers and new voices alike. Horror and related genre fare are always in strong supply at the fest, as evidenced by its presentation of two of my absolute favorite films of last year, The Seeding and You’ll Never Find Me, along with many other great features and short films. This year’s edition, which runs June 5–16, promises more incredible cinema of the fearful and the fantastic. I was privileged to get an early look at the following chillers and thrillers before the fest, and though I can’t publish reviews until after the films make their Tribeca premieres — watch for my thoughts here on Horror Fuel soon after that — I can, at this time, highly recommend them to fright-fare aficionados as must-see viewing! Read on for press release descriptions for each film — in alphabetical order, by genre — with
Continue reading →
MoviesReviewsThriller
Kate and John Coleman (played by The Conjuring series’ Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard respectively) are down in the dumps and sorta on the rocks after the stillborn death of their third child, so they decide to adopt the freakishly gifted Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) from ye olde local orphanage. While their son, Daniel (Jimmy Bennett) is lukewarm to his new sister at best, his sister, the deaf mute Max (Aryana Engineer), couldn’t be more thrilled with Esther’s presence. Of course this being a fright flick and all, Esther has a few issues, and before long Kate is mega-suspicious that her brand-new terror tyke is much more than she seems, in the worst possible ways… a fact that the orphanage’s head honcho, Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder) confirms when she reveals the shaky past our girl had back home in Russia. Will Kate be able to convince the family that her feelings are correct, or will that home sweet home turn into
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsPeacockStreaming TVThrillerTrailers
Get ready to be chilled to the bone with 30 Miles from Nowhere, a gripping horror thriller now streaming. This film takes viewers on a terrifying journey with a group of college friends who reunite under unsettling circumstances. In the film, Caitlin Koller‘s feature directorial debut, five college acquaintances gather in rural Wisconsin for a friend’s funeral. What starts as a somber reunion quickly descends into a nightmare as they encounter a sinister entity with a deadly agenda. Supernatural activity plagues the group, and their once-familiar surroundings transform into a terrifying battleground for survival. 30 Miles from Nowhere features a talented cast that brings the characters and their escalating terror to life. Seana Kofoed, Carrie Preston, and Rob Benedict deliver compelling performances, adding depth to the friends’ desperate struggle against a supernatural force. If you’re looking for a chilling cinematic experience, 30 Miles from Nowhere is now streaming on Peacock. Sign up now for a huge deal. Prepare to be
Continue reading →
MoviesNewsThrillerTrailers
From writer-director Ran Huang comes What Remains, a chilling new psychological thriller whose new trailer teases an exploration into the dark recesses of human obsession and the pursuit of truth. What Remains boasts an impressive cast featuring Gustaf Skarsgård (“Vikings”), Stellan Skarsgård (Dune: Part Two), father of the famous brothers, and Andrea Riseborough (“To Leslie”). The story unfolds within the confines of a 1990s Scandinavian psychiatric hospital. Mads Lake, a man labeled a serial killer, languishes after confessing to multiple murders. However, the narrative goes beyond a simple confession. Enter therapist Anna Rudebeck and policeman Soren Rank – two figures drawn into a complex web of manipulation and doubt. The three become locked in an uneasy triumvirate, each driven by a fervent desire to unearth the truth. As they delve deeper, the lines between obsession and sanity begin to blur. The case threatens to consume them all, raising the chilling question: will their pursuit of truth destroy them in the
Continue reading →
AdaptationBooksMoviesThrillerTrailers
While we wait for the new season of “Stranger Things,” star Sadie Sink has lent her talents to a new role in the chilling, pulse-pounding horror-thriller A Sacrifice (previously titled Berlin Nobody). Vertical Entertainment’s latest film features cults, rebellion, and the complexities of father-daughter relationships. A Sacrifice draws inspiration from Nicholas Hogg’s 2015 novel Tokyo Nobody.” Director Jordan Scott (Cracks), daughter of legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott, brings the story to life on the big screen, directing and serving as producer with his father, Ridley. The film centers on Ben Monroe (Eric Bana), an American social psychologist investigating a disturbing Berlin cult. As he delves deeper into his work, his world collides with that of his teenage daughter, Mazzy (Sadie Sink). Mazzy, a rebellious teenager, is drawn to the city’s underground party scene under the influence of a mysterious local boy. As their paths diverge, both father and daughter face escalating dangers. When Mazzy gets tangled with the cult Ben is
Continue reading →
AdaptationMoviesReviewsThriller
As per his dying wish, twenty years after rich eccentric geezer Cyrus West kicks the bucket, his relatives gather on a dark and stormy night for the reading of his will at his former arcane abode; a mansion that looks like German Expressionism mixed with Edgar Allan Poe aesthetics. Anyhow, this groovy gaggle of weirdos eventually discovers that Cyrus’ fortune is to be left to his niece Annabelle (prolific silent film actress Laura La Plante)… on the condition she be judged sane (something Cyrus himself would never be able to achieve) by the macabre medicine-man Doctor Ira Lazar (Lucien Littlefield). If she fails the exam, the riches will be given to the second choice family member who will be revealed in a separate sealed will… I mean for fuck’s sake dude, couldn’t you have just split that shit six ways among everyone and call it a day?! As if Annabelle isn’t under enough pressure from the threat of her remaining
Continue reading →
