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This Week in Horror: ’80s nostalgia abounds, Culkin does horror, Blumhouse banks on Whannell, Candyman returns, and Netflix invests big in Sandman.

This seems to be a big trend in news lately: Everything old is new again. Ghostbusters merch makes a comeback, Candyman is back on the big screen, CW sinks its teeth into a new vision of The Lost Boys, Mogwai invade the Home Box Office, and the adorable kid from Home Alone moves into the American Horror Story ‘Murder House’.

SAINT MAUD (RELEASE DATE: APRIL 3, 2020)

Meet Maud, a shy, religious young nurse who is the caretaker of Amanda, a woman who has cancer. First-time director Rose Glass takes us on a suspenseful and horrifying journey as Maud becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her ward as her mental health deteriorates. This original story promises new territory for horror fans, and since we know that A24 has given us some fairly stellar horror, including Midsommar and The VVitch, hopes are high for Saint Maud. Already being called one of the scariest movies of the year, Maud’s own demon possession convinces her that her patient, Amanda, is in grave danger, but how will she save both of their souls?

PORNO (RELEASE DATE: APRIL 10, 2020)

Produced by Fangoria, Porno is a horror comedy that’s set in the ‘90s; 1992, to be precise. The focus of the film is a group of employees that work at a movie theatre. Their curiosity about an old film reel they stumble upon accidentally releases a sexy ancient succubus, furthering their young education about sex, the demon way. If you miss it at the theater, stream it on Shudder on May 8.

CANDYMAN (RELEASE DATE: JUNE 12, 2020)

Produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, Candyman version 2.0 is directed by Nia DaCosta. This isn’t exactly a remake per se, but a reimagining of the original movie that adds a little more background about our hook-handed hero (originally played by genre icon Tony Todd). A painter whose work has hit a roadblock learns the mythos of Candyman and decides to make the urban legend the subject of his paintings, but what gets released when the past is brought into the present? This version is called a “spiritual sequel” of the original.

NEW SAM RAIMI FILM SHRINE

Shrine is the latest project from Sam Raimi, and it stars Cary Elwes (Saw), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead), William Sadler (VFW), and Katie Aselton. Morgan plays a journalist who’s investigating a series of miracles in a New England town that may stem from somewhere truly dark. The film is based on a novel by James Herbert, a UK writer who has been compared to Stephen King. Consider us intrigued! Shrine will begin filming this spring.

RED ROSE (NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE)

Netflix has gained the rights to a BBC horror show called Red Rose. The show was created by Michael and Paul Clarkson, who are also known for their work on Haunting of Bly Manor and See. It’s an eight-part series about a group of students who find an app called Red Rose, which encourages the group to take on different challenges that ramp up the danger until it’s clear they’re becoming supernatural. The series shoots this summer.

GREMLINS: SECRETS OF THE MOGWAI

Subscribers of HBO Max will get a treat in 2021. A new series called Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai will be available exclusively on the streaming service. The series serves as a prequel to the 1984 Gremlins film, and there will be 10 episodes. It’s described as a comedy/fantasy, but anytime we get to see Gizmo is good for us!

SANDMAN SERIES TO HIT NETFLIX

Fantasy writer Neil Gaiman’s popular Sandman comics will be headed to Netflix. Filming this fall after several unsuccessful attempts, the show finally gets the series fans have been wanting. The first season will include 11 episodes, and all we know right now is that it’s the most expensive series to date created by DC Entertainment!

AUSTIN HOSTS NOSFERATU FESTIVAL (MARCH 6-8)

Hosted at Come and Take It Live, the Nosferatu Festival keeps Austin weird by paying tribute to all things Nosferatu! Come out on Friday night and enjoy the kick-off party, featuring a DJ, bands, and burlesque. Then, Saturday and Sunday there will be plenty of vampire-themed vendors, food, art, screenings, music, and all the Nosferatu your bloody heart can handle! Get tickets online.

WNC BIGFOOT FESTIVAL (SEPTEMBER 18-19)

Are you a Bigfoot believer? If you’re not, attending this popular festival may turn you into one. Packed with panels, vendors, food, and tours surrounding the urban legend, the festival in North Carolina hosted over 70,000 attendants last year, so check it out if you’re nearby.

20th ANNUAL SHRIEKFEST (OCTOBER 1-4, Los Angeles)

Don’t miss the 20th year of LA and Orlando’s Shriekfest Film Festival! Not only are there plenty of screenings of short films and feature-length movies, but this year there’s a screenplay contest. Get your entry in and make plans to attend online.

Streaming Suggestions

THE ROOM (RELEASE DATE: MARCH 12, SHUDDER)

Anything that seems too good to be true probably is, as a husband and wife find out in The Room. A married couple leave behind their big city lives in order for something a little quieter, only to discover their new house has something the realtor didn’t tell them about – a secret room that makes wishes come true. But all wishes have consequences, as they’ll soon find out.

HOWL (RELEASE DATE: MARCH 16, SHUDDER)

A train seems to hit something on a dark and stormy night, but when the driver goes out to investigate, he doesn’t return. The passengers left on the train must figure out what’s going on out there and how they can stand together to survive it. Stream this creature feature on Shudder.

LUCIFERINA (RELEASE DATE: MARCH 18, SHUDDER)

Nuns proceed to the forest, where they plan on having an occult ceremony to help one young novice nun help her dying father. However, they’re not alone in the jungle; the devil himself will be joining them in this creepy horror from Argentina. Religion, sexuality, and Satan create a spooky ambiance as nuns go head-to-head with the devil. Bring your crucifix with you when you stream this film this spring on Shudder.

Killer Stuff

RL STINE’S NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL OUT FOR HALLOWEEN

As if October wasn’t exciting enough for horror fans, now we have something extra special to look forward to. Creator of the Goosebumps series, RL Stine, is putting out a new graphic novel called Just Beyond: Welcome to Beast Island. There’s nothing scarier than swamp monsters. Check it out this fall.

80s GHOSTBUSTERS TOYS ARE BACK

For those of us who came of age in the ‘80s, there’s no doubt Ghostbusters toys were part of playtime. But, if you missed the boat, now may be your chance to rectify that! Hasbro is releasing some of the old toys based on the Ghostbusters animated series, complete with vintage packaging. They’ll be Walmart exclusives, so don’t miss out on the “Kenner Classics” line of figures, including Marshmallow Man, Slimer, and all four Ghostbusters. They’ll be released in June.

GHOSTBUSTERS TWINKIES

Speaking of Ghostbusters, diehard fans now have a snack to go with their Ecto Cooler. Special edition Twinkies feature blue “slime” cream filling to celebrate the upcoming release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Be sure to haunt your local Walmart this summer to find these spooky snacks on shelves.

UPDATE ON LOST BOYS SHOW

Apparently, there’s some casting news regarding the CW’s adaptation of the ‘80s classic vampire film, The Lost Boys. Actors Branden Cook, Lincoln Younes, and Ruby Cruz have been cast as the leads. Cook will play Michael, Younes will play David, and Cruz will play Star. The plot sounds very similar to the movie, with a mom moving to her seaside hometown with her two sons. The creator of the show is Rob Thomas, who also created Veronica Mars.

Lost Boys

SEASON 10 AHS CAST REVEALED

Fans of American Horror Story got a surprise this week when the season 10 cast list was revealed. Old favorites like Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, and Kathy Bates are also on board, along with newer favorite Billie Lourd. The real shocker was Macauley Culkin. We have no idea what the theme is yet or if Emma Roberts will return.

LEIGH WHANNELL SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH BLUMHOUSE

With the success of The Invisible Man along with his history of horror hits, it’s no surprise that Leigh Whannell’s career is in overdrive right now. This week, it was announced that Whannell has signed a two-year deal with horror powerhouse production company, Blumhouse. This means that for the next two years Whannell will be writing and producing television and movies for Blumhouse. Jason Blum spoke to Whannell’s talents, saying that the director has the potential to alter the landscape of the genre.

Stay tuned for more news as it develops. 

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