I’m getting back into horror after a long time. What should be on my spooky-season watch list? I’m also open to video game recommendations.

After playing Lunacid I was looking for more retro horror dungeon crawlers, but I couldn't find anything that really went all in on it. But now Labyrinth of the Demon King is out and HOLY SHIT does it hit the mark.

It's described as Silent Hill x Kings Field and I feel it fits well. You have to accept the retro wrapping of it but god damn the horror is on point, the environments and sounds conjure so much atmospheric pressure, it remixes so many great elements from classical survival horrors and more modern ones (including more modern FromSoft games). I love also how it keeps both sides of the SH DNA, between moments of serene eerie fogged exteriors and the dark claustrophobic unending nightmare of the interiors. Some parts feel very Lost in Vivo if you've played it which I also loved. I don't have 300 screenshots cause I'm too caught in :D

I think the trailer that sold me on it last year still gives the most accurate vibe to the gritty dark disgusting nightmares the game crushes you with. Only shows a bit of the gameplay but it plays like a mix of of an RPG survival horror and Condemned, but it’s not a pure RPG with incredible depth it’s more tools of survival. It’s not perfect but for a game that just came out I feel it could have some staying power in the niche and the dev seems motivated to update it so far!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEoqMp2Nrss

Anyway go play it!

I've always considered Bioshock a horror game but not everyone agrees on this. The developers have stated they were inspired by survival horror games like Resident Evil but inspiration from a genre doesn't automatically make it that.

Step into the hauntingly beautiful world of Silent Hill, where the lines between reality and nightmare are blurred. This mesmerizing video transports you to a desolate, fog-shrouded landscape, where a lone figure stands frozen in terror, surrounded by an atmosphere of unspeakable horror.

The only sound is the creaking of trees and the distant hum of a car, abandoned and still, a haunting reminder of the world that once was. The dark ambient music swirls around you, drawing you deeper into this twisted world, where the very air seems to vibrate with malevolent energy.

1 - Slumber Party Massacre A favorite slasher, felt like a great kickoff to spooky season.

2 - C.H.U.D.* Heard about this one for a long time; best part was by far the practical effects on the C.H.U.Ds, especially the shots of the claws.

3 - Company of Wolves Great spooky season movie, personal favorite, and some of my favorite werewolf scenes in cinema.

4 - Rosemary's Baby What’s left to say? Classic.

5 - Identity* More thriller than horror, but I absolutely loved it. Great pacing, ok reveal.

6 - Skeleton Key Probably my favorite PG-13 horror movie. Always a great watch.

7 - Tales from the Hood* Personally, I didn’t think it lived up to its reputation. Some solid moments but largely felt ham-fisted with the message, which made it feel largely boring.

8 - Tucker and Dale versus Evil If you know, you know. Classic.

9 - Bloodsucking Bastards If you haven’t seen it, definitely give it a shot. Really fun, blood-splattered horror comedy.

10 - Species Not perfect but actually better than I remembered. Worth a rewatch if you haven’t seen it in a while. Unless you hated it.

11- You’re Next One of my favorite recent action horrors.

12 - Ready or Not (reaction: see movie 11)

13 - The Menu First rewatch, loved it just as much as the first time. One of my favorite recent horrors.

14 - Evil Dead (original) Do I need to even explain? Always fantastic.

15 - John Carpenter’s Vampires I know it has a lukewarm reception, but I really enjoy this take on vampires.

16 - Sleepaway Camp Absolutely wild film, bad and fun in all the best ways.

17 - Village of the Damned Not a perfect film but very watchable, hence the rewatch this season.

18 - The Mist A favorite this time of year, always fun to watch.

19 - They Live! Maybe stretching the definition of horror but…classic.

20 - The Haunting of Julia AKA Full Circle* Interesting though a little flat. I really enjoyed it, but the narrative was better than the pacing. Good turn in the plot. Recommended, especially for fans of films like Don’t Look Now.

21 - Hounds of Love* Good. Bleak. Not fantastic but very solid. Worth checking out.

22 - Grim Prairie Tales* Was hoping for more. The wraparound was the best part of the anthology, though it had its moments.

23 - Dust Devil* Loved it. Third act was a little weak compared to the setup, but a definite recommendation. Great practical effects and cinematography.

24 - X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes* Fun watch, but it really wasted its potential. On a short list of movies that I would argue could use a solid modern remake.

25 - Velvet Buzzsaw* Solid. Very slow and not even a slow burn in the sense that it ramps up in the last act, but definitely worth a watch. Loved the premise, liked the execution.

26 - Terrifier 3* Absolutely loved it. Not without faults (like the cinematic style’s bad graininess or some awkward transitions), but majorly outweighed by the fun and the spectacle of it all. Great Sequel to T2, can’t wait for 4.

27 - The Mutilator* My least favorite movie I’ve seen in a long time. Effects were good, everything else was below "so bad it’s good" level of filmmaking.

28 - Frankenhooker I’m wearing my Frankenhooker shirt as I write this, so you can assume how much I love this movie. It’s something I can watch anytime.

29 - Tremors A favorite since childhood, and just as fun as the last time I saw it. Complete banger.

30 - The Relic One of my favorite monster movies, always a good time.

31 - Trick r’ Treat Must watch for me every Halloween season. If you’ve watched it you know, if you haven’t…you should. Happy Halloween!

Hey Lemmy,

What are your favorite horror movies from Blumhouse?

I went to Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights this year and they had the whole tram Blumhouse themed. I liked to watch horror movies during this spooky season, so i think catching up on some of these ones seems like a good place to start this year.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/17569810

IDW has decided to become more focused as a company on publishing horror comics in terms of what they dub their co-creator originals, titles to follow up on their history of success with the likes of 30 Days of Night, Locke & Key, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees and more.

Earlier this week, CEO and Publisher of IDW, Davidi Jonas took an investment call while in the car as as part of his duties of being a publically traded independent comic book publisher. He announced the switch in publishing focus for the publisher, and that IDW would be launching a new horror imprint soon and "partnering with one of the largest licensors to be able to exploit their largest horror titles" as comics, collections and graphic novels, and are "some very noteworthy and popular horror titles and having those as part of our imprint, we expect will attract interest." And then look to exploit their co-creator-owned properties as a result of increased interest. And he says that this is one of the things he has focused on, to go as far and wise as they can.

You know, there is Vertigo-sized gap in the market since DC Comics let that go, which Boom, Vault, Scout and others have attempted to fill, including IDW as well. Might this be a worthwhile endeavour on IDW's part?

"French director Alexandre Aja has been known as a member of the horror helming fraternity called the “Splat Pack,” named for the extreme violence in their films. Certainly, many of his pictures, from the 2003 breakthrough Haute Tension and the 2006 remake of The Hills Have Eyes, to his exceptional, and most successful film to date, 2019’s Crawl — in which a family is trapped in the crawl space of their home as alligators surround them during a Category 5 hurricane in Florida (a personal favorite of Quentin Tarantino) — have proved his chops as a genre filmmaker. Now, he steps up to another level with a less gory and more psychological thriller style of film, Never Let Go, in which Halle Berry stars as a mother of twin boys who is traumatically haunted by her own lifelong demons, which she passes on to them in their remote house deep in the woods...

... At every turn Aja keeps us on the edge of our seats with an exceptional skill to create bone-chilling scares out of almost nothing. The emphasis here is not on piling up the bodies or following the usual tropes of the horror genre, or his own bloody cinematic past, but rather keeping it for the most part (yes, there are a couple of gross-outs) in the psychological realm. Fear is a very strong weapon. Clearly, Momma has issues and it is driving her family apart and diminishing the control she wields.

Both Daggs and Jenkins are outstanding in their film debuts, as natural as kid actors can get, and they really have to carry this film throughout.

Cinematography by Maxime Alexandre and editing by Elliot Greenberg really add to the lush remote look of this film set in the middle of nowhere. It all grabs you by the throat — the best horror film I have seen this year..."

"Horror fans are in for a treat as a sneak peek of the upcoming slasher thriller Last Straw. The film, set to hit select theaters and digital platforms on September 20, 2024, looks to be a night of heart-pounding suspense and terror.

Produced by Shout! Studios, Last Straw is a rural, small-town horror that blends classic slasher thrills with a gripping, tension-filled narrative. Directed by Alan Scott Neal in his directorial debut, the film stars Jessica Belkin (American Horror Story: Hotel), Taylor Kowalski (Snowfall), and Jeremy Sisto (Thirteen, Clueless).

The story centers around a young waitress working the overnight shift at a desolate roadside diner. When a group of masked assailants begins to terrorize her, the quiet night quickly turns into a brutal fight for survival. With no help in sight, she must outwit her attackers and fight back if she hopes to make it through the night alive..."

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/17543209

One of the most hotly anticipated horror movies in the remainder of September is the action-horror movie Azrael starring Samara Weaving (Ready or Not, Scream VI), in theaters September 27. While you wait, IFC Films has debuted a first-look clip via Rotten Tomatoes.

...

The high concept action-horror film from Republic Pictures stars Samara Weaving and was directed by E.L. Katz (Channel Zero, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Cheap Thrills) from an original script by Simon Barrett (The Guest, You’re Next, Godzilla x Kong).

“In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness – yet she will stop at nothing to ensure her own freedom and survival.

“From the seeds of this gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, comes an immersive, real-time, action horror tale.”

Clip

"This post contains spoilers for "Harper's Island."

The horror anthology model is pretty commonplace in our current landscape, its core appeal lying in shifting tones and narrative motivations, along with a ton of variety to offer. Anthologies are not a brand-new phenomenon, as their enduring popularity can be traced back to shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" or Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" series, proving that even the earliest days of network television held space for such a format — on the condition that the show could sustain good ratings. When "Harper's Island" premiered on CBS in April 2009, it was marketed as a horror/slasher series that would go on to follow the anthology format in the second season, replete with new characters and a fresh setting. Unfortunately, these plans did not come to pass, as the 13-part limited event received dwindling ratings as the episodes progressed — with a season-wide average of 4.8 million — leading to its eventual cancellation..."

About 4 years ago, I watched a movie which I enjoyed but can't for the life of me find. It involved a white couple getting lost in deep rural Appalachia and getting taken in by a cult-like small family in the middle of nowhere.

I don't remember the details very well since it was a few years ago and I watched it pretty late at night. I think it involved the woman being drawn in while the man wasn't, and there being murder (in a shed?), but that could be me mixing different movies up.

Does anyone know what it might have been?

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/17484663

The 2020s have already been great for folk horror, but the current folk horror revival really got its start in the previous decade. The niche subgenre, which had been around since the 1960s and 1970s, didn't get a name until actor Mark Gatiss of Sherlock fame used the term "folk horror" in 2010 to describe a trio of influential films in his BBC documentary series, A History of Horror. Suddenly, a generation of writers and filmmakers who had grown up on the old British films and television programs were inspired to revisit the rural terrors of their youth.

Folk horror, which was initially recognized as a British phenomenon, became closely associated with imagery from the British Isles, such as stone circles, druids, and the green man. However, the modern folk horror revival has been more inclusive, as filmmakers from around the world draw inspiration from their countries' history and folklore. From Indonesia to Austria, these are the best folk horror movies of the 2010s.

1. Midsommar (2019)
2. Kill List (2011)
3. The Witch (2015)
4. The Borderlands (2013)
5. The Wailing (2016)
6. The Ritual (2017)
7. Impetigore (2019)
8. La Llorona (2019)
9. Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse (2017)
10. A Dark Song (2016)

Warning: the image used dod The Ritual is a massive spoiler - go watch it first, it's worth going in blind.

See also:

• 10 best Folk Horror movies of the 2020s (so far)

"There used to be a very big difference when talking about independent horror and mainstream horror. The latter would often be much more tame, with a goal of maximizing the audience, therefore maximizing Box Office. Indie horror would often be darker, going for moments that would stick with you long after the credits roll. But as society has shifted into this different entertainment landscape, there’s more of a desire than ever for something wholly unique. Mostly in the sake of profit. Thinking outside of the box is rewarded as it’s all about grabbing attention. It’s why a film like Longlegs can come out and absolutely light the world on fire. Because filmmakers are being forced to take risks in an attempt to get people to the theaters. Audiences are tired of the same old, same old..."

"I realized something the other day as I slipped on my sweater before heading out for a decaffeinated pumpkin coffee with other basic witches: Netflix has a ton of children’s horror like The Curse Of Bridge Hollow and Monster House that scream fall. However, the pickings are slimmer for those who want a little blood and murder alongside our autumnal festivities. Sure, some movies feel like they belong in the only season that matters. His House gives me big late September vibes, and Before I Wake seems made to watch as you carve pumpkins. But are they really about the October hustle? Are they serving pie-scented candles that start fires, corn maze mayhem, or carving up exes?

So, I took this thought experiment too far, as usual, and am back with a streaming guide for all of us basic bitches. Here are eight horror movies on Netflix that scream fall..."

"It’s Friday the 13th and you know what means: a bunch of new horror movies have been unleashed today to make us forget that it’s been 15 YEARS since we last saw Jason Voorhees.

Here’s all the new horror that released Friday, September 13, 2024!"

"One question repeatedly popped into my mind during “The Substance,” an outrageous and beyond bizarre horror movie that had its North American premiere Thursday night at the Toronto International Film Festival.

What’s wrong with these people?!

Our judgment begins with the damaged-to-deranged characters.

Elisabeth Sparkle, played to the hilt by Demi Moore (what’s wrong with her?!), is an Oscar winner turned fading fitness guru a la Suzanne Somers whose luxurious Hollywood home is plastered with giant portraits of her in her prime.

After Elisabeth is abruptly fired from her TV job, “Sparkle With Elizabeth,” the gutted actress learns of an underground drug called the Substance that promises to create a younger, sexier doppelgänger of a person. A certifiable California narcissist, Elisabeth signs right up.

This is when we start to wonder what’s wrong with the astronomically talented and created writer-director Coralie Fargeat, whose French nightmares this astounding film surely sprang from.

When Elisabeth injects the plutonium-green Substance, her back gorily splits open, and her nubile clone pops out like a xenomorph in “Alien.”

The one unbreakable rule, with gnarly consequences, is that the young counterpart can walk the earth for only seven days at a time — while Elisabeth basically hibernates — before they swap places again.

Almost immediately, Liz’s piggish former boss (Dennis Quaid at his funniest) casts the gorgeous clone, who names herself Sue, as his hot new workout show host of a program called “Pump It Up.”

Elisabeth awakens only to be taunted by billboards and posters of Sue, and develops a love-hate relationship with her popular counterpart.

Moore, at her most game and frequently unclothed, gives one of her best performances in years — going from It girl to Gollum in over two hours. Impeccable makeup and prosthetics help, but the true terror is created by her beneath the surface.

Qualley, by contrast, spends most of the film smiling and squatting — never boringly, mind you — but that shiny veneer conceals building resentment and darkness.

Opportunist Sue would rather not take a weeklong nap after seven days and goes to harmful extremes to stay awake. (Something is definitely wrong with her.)

That leads to a Grand-Guignol finale so weird, warped and funny that we sit in awe of the fact that investors actually said, “Sure, we’ll pay for that.”

As for the audience, something is wrong with us, too.

I enjoyed this ride of titillation, torment, insanity and exploitation to such a preposterous extent that I’ve considered signing up for online therapy to wrestle with it.

Perhaps that’s because, as jaw-droppingly odd as it is, “The Substance” is part of a grand, campy tradition. The movie is the hotter, younger offshoot of “Death Becomes Her” and, being set in a two-woman LA household stewing with envy, even “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”

By the end, it’s “Frankenstein” and “Young Frankenstein.”

Where Fargeat’s film distinguishes itself — and will send some viewers sprinting to the bathroom — is the amble body horror elements.

Hers is a provocative, gruesome, bloody and, for some, nauseating movie that will be hugely controversial when it hits theaters later this month.

Much like the title drug, it’s hard to broadly recommend it without listing off a host of side effects.

However, at the movies today, there is nothing wrong with unbound creativity, epic vision and some gonzo entertainment.

And, by the way, in its smart send-up of our youth-obsessed culture, there’s even a little substance, too."

Old school horror game Post Trauma has popped up at Future Games Show at Gamescom Presented by Sid Meier's Civilization® VII to reveal a release date with a new trailer.

Debuted during the Expansion Pack post show, the sneak peek starts with an ominous shot of an abandoned train on the subway, setting a suitably unsettling dark and scary tone for what's to come as we slowly make our way through the rest of the trailer. We see our main character explore an abandoned underground before realizing that, actually, he isn't the only one there – the giant arm shooting out the floor is a highlight, but the big ol' heads with arms and legs are not. Far from a few friendly faces, we see all sorts of nightmarish beings that'll make your quest home anything but pleasant.

The trailer also features voiceover work from various characters and a closer look at new faces and environments. Excitingly, it ends with the reveal that Post Trauma will come to Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 29, 2024. That's just two days before Halloween, which feels very appropriate.

Steam

Article

The Dæmon is a 2024 horror film about a man seeking to understand why his father took his own life. “The Lovecraftian slow burn follows a family attempting to reconcile past traumas, only to face demons infinitely more sinister than their own.”

The movie was written and directed by Matt Devino and David Michael Yohe, making their feature directorial debut.

LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP Trailer (2024) Georgina Campbell, Lovely Dark and Deep, Forest Horror Movie HD

The Borderlands (AKA The Last Prayer) is a great found-footage horror gem.

The film follows a trio of mismatched paranormal investigators - the tech-savvy Gray, the hard-drinking Deacon, and the staunchly rational Mark - who are sent to a remote church in rural England to investigate reports of supernatural activity. Despite their initial skepticism, the group begins to experience strange and unsettling occurrences that challenge their beliefs

I know what you think.... bla, bla, bla demons bla,bla, Blair witch, bla.... Trust me, you're wrong.

This movie is a very slow burn, but when it start, burns deep.

Movie review | Rotten tomatoes | imdb

Short film by Joey Greene and Paul Houston

Link Invidious

Created in our apartment for less than $500.

Alex - Ethan Mikael Monster - Kevin Michael Shiley Written, produced, directed and edited by Joey Greene Camera, lighting, VFX, and sound by Paul Houston SFX makeup by Morgan Falschlehner Camera assist by Garrett Holbrook