This Week in Horror: Go Psycho, Spend Your Whole Paycheck at Scream Factory, Get Creepy with Crepitus, Show Some Love for Women in Horror, and More!
The month of love is right around the corner, and we’re celebrating by sharing our undying love of the genre — bringing you another huge week of Horror Headlines.
THE RHYTHM SECTION (RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2020)
Stephanie Patrick, played by Blake Lively (The Shallows) was supposed to be on the plane that crashed, killing her entire family. Only, she wasn’t. After the discovery that the crash was not accidental, she becomes hell bent on revenge when she finds out who caused the crash that destroyed her world. Early reviewers are calling this thrilling film a ‘female James Bond’ movie.
GRETEL & HANSEL (RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2020)
The new Gretel & Hansel film directed by Oz Perkins (and starring Sophia Lillis, who played young Beverly in It and It: Chapter Two) has been getting a lot of buzz, and from the trailer we showed you last week, you can see why. (If you missed it, catch it here.) Check out the newest sneak peek of this creepy take on the classic story and get excited to head to the forest next week (don’t forget the bread crumbs!)
THE LODGE (RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2020)
Did you enjoy the creepy atmosphere of Goodnight Mommy? Then you may also like The Lodge, a new film from the same directors. Starring Riley Keough (Mad Max: Fury Road) as Grace, the story follows Richard, a father (Richard Armitage) who takes his fiancé and kids on a beautiful holiday vacation in a winter wonderland… in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Richard leaves on a business trip, a blizzard traps Grace and the kids inside, and scariness ensues! Fans of It and It: Chapter Two will recognize Jaeden Martell (who played Bill) as Aidan in this film.
SPIRAL: FROM THE BOOK OF SAW (RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2020)
It was previously reported that the next installment of the Saw franchise would be called The Organ Donor. This was since revealed to be a working title. News dropped this week that the title has possibly been changed to Spiral: From the Book of Saw. The highly anticipated ninth Saw movie, which will see the return of director Darren Lynn Bousman, is based on an idea by comedian (and fellow Saw fan) Chris Rock.
ANACONDA REMAKE (RELEASE DATE: TBA)
Remember Anaconda? It’s pretty hard to forget the hilarious 1997 film about the giant snake starring Danny Trejo, Ice Cube, and Jennifer Lopez. The cult movie is now getting a ‘reimagining’ by Columbia Studios, who’s ready to give the snake the big-budget star treatment he so deserves.
DUNWICH HORROR (RELEASE DATE: TBD)
The Color of Space starring Nicolas Cage (Mandy) was released January 24, and it won’t be the last H.P. Lovecraft adaptation from director Richard Stanley. In fact, he’s working to bring Dunwich Horror to life next. It’s a short story that’s part of the Cthulhu mythos and will feature the Necronomicon. He has plans to create a trilogy of Lovecraft films that all take place in the same universe, making them a cohesive and chilling collection of cinema. See for yourself if he’s true to the tales!
Help Bring Crepitus to Netflix!
We’ve been waiting a long time to see genre favorite Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects, 3 From Hell) as a scary clown in Crepitus. And though the movie has been released on other streaming platforms, Netflix is offering it for DVD subscribers only. If you have a DVD subscription, add Crepitus to your queue. If not, head here to request it for streaming. They only need 1,000 people to make it happen.
A Perfect Host (RELEASE DATE: February 4, 2020)
Nothing sounds more relaxing than a dream beach vacation with your friends, right? In A Perfect Host, written and directed by Chad Werner, four friends rent a beach house for the weekend from a guy named Tad who seems a little too friendly. Tad’s politeness slowly transforms into something a little darker, and the vacation takes a scary and mysterious turn.
Agramon’s Gate (RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2020)
What happens when a medium who shows up at a party to do a harmless séance summons the Satanic spirit of Agramon? This spirit is a pesky guest that won’t go away and makes quick work of partier possession. Agramon’s Gate is already getting notice for its award-winning trailer. With a small budget that still yields stellar practical and CGI effects, this release directed by Harley Wallen and starring Laurene Landon (Maniac Cop) and Yan Birch (The People Under the Stairs) manages to deliver the scares you’re looking for.
Cupid (RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2020)
If you’ve been thinking there’s not enough Valentine’s Day-themed horror movies, you’re in luck (though we’ll always have a soft spot for the David Boreanaz film, Valentine) because Cupid is ready to take aim. Faye is having a pretty average high school experience, that is, she’s being bullied by mean girls. But unlike most teenagers, Faye is a practicing witch, so she decides to summon Cupid to do her dirty work for her.
Click here for our complete indie release calendar.
Women in Horror Month 11 (February 1-29, 2020)
Love is in the air, but not just the romantic kind. It’s also time to celebrate our love for the many women who pour their hearts into making our genre so great. February is Women in Horror Month (WiHM), an international, grassroots initiative focused on encouraging supporters to learn about and showcase the underrepresented work of women in the horror industries. Whether they are on the screen, behind the scenes, or contributing in their other various artistic ways, it is clear that women love, appreciate, and contribute to the horror genre. Stay tuned to this site for extensive WiHM coverage.
Shriekfest: Call for Entries
Want to turn your filmmaker dreams into a reality? Enter your movie into Shriekfest, a horror movie film festival now celebrating its 20th year as the most well-known and successful film festival in Los Angeles. You’ll be able to attend at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood in October. But if you’re on the East Coast, head to Shriekfest in Orlando on November 7. The fest is currently looking for original films and screenplays in the horror, comedy horror, thriller, sci-fi and fantasy genres. Every film accepted into Shriekfest has the opportunity to screen on both coasts for the price of one admission! Go here for more information and to submit your film for consideration.
Doctor Sleep (Director’s Cut Now Available)
Head to Amazon Prime now to catch Doctor Sleep, Mike Flanagan’s love letter to Stephen King fans and long-awaited sequel to The Shining. You can find the Director’s Cut as well as the Theatrical Version of the film so you can see what happens to Danny Torrance when he grows up and meets a young girl who also has “the shine.” Fans will love the extra half hour of material in the Director’s Cut of this mesmerizing adaptation of King’s book.
Bliss (RELEASE DATE: January 30, 2020)
A Shudder exclusive, Bliss is a cool, artsy new take on the vampire film. A talented painter named Dezzy (Dora Madison, Dexter, Everybody Wants Some) is in a creative rut, kind of like an artists’ equivalent to writer’s block. Stuck for ideas to finish her most anticipated work yet, she decides to take hallucinogenics to spur her artwork, but instead, she unleashes madness. Murder, sex, and a downward spiral into a hellish nightmare ensues all against the backdrop of the seedy side of Los Angeles.
Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (January 28, 2020)
Scream Factory has released the 1971 classic, Let’s Scare Jessica to Death on Blu-ray with some new features. Enjoy brand-new commentary with the director, John Hancock, and producer, Bill Badalato, along with interviews, a theatrical trailer, still photos, and other goodies. The story follows Jessica, who just got out of the mental home. She’s trying to recover in the quiet country, but the spirits just won’t stay quiet. Add it to your collection of ‘70s horror here.
Body Parts (January 28, 2020)
Released in 1991, Body Parts comes from the writer of Near Dark. A tale of medical experimentation, Body Parts is the gory story of Bill (Jeff Fahey), who gets into an accident and loses his arm. The doctors give him a donor arm, but the arm does what it wants, and Bill soon finds out the arm’s previous owner had a very scary past. Now newly released on beautiful Blu as a part of the Scream Factory collection, this updated version gives fans bonuses like interviews, extra gore that was deleted, and a photo gallery, among others. Use your non-violent arm and click here to get your copy!
Slumber Party Massacre (January 28, 2020)
A bunch of high school girls having a slumber party and an escaped mental patient, what could go wrong? This jam-packed edition of Slumber Party Massacre will have you salivating in your sleeping bag. Not only can you add the deluxe limited edition steelbook to your collection, but you’ll also get an exclusive NECA Russ Thorn figure (and NECA just knocks these figures out of the park) and a gorgeous Laz Marquez lithograph (look him up on Instagram – his art is out of this world amazing) that was created just for this set! Order yours here before the man with the drill comes for you.
New All Hallows’ Eve Tees and Accessories
Nothing says “I love you,” this Valentine’s Day like new horror goodies for your beloved or for yourself! Terror Threads has updated their original design line with a new, retro-inspired Halloween tee starring a spooky skeleton, sexy witch, and jack-o-lanterns aplenty for those of us who celebrate Halloween all year round. If you like the design as much as we do, you can also get it on a coffee mug and turntable slipmat. Find the All Hallows’ Eve line and other gear to make your horror heart happy here.
Terrifier Steelbook
While we’re on the subject of gifts, this slick new Terrifier steelbook would make a great one! This collector’s edition of the hit movie featuring the lovable Art the Clown can be yours when you buy the new Blu-ray of this gore-filled love story about a clown who falls in love with a girl on Halloween night. This isn’t just the movie; you also get a limited edition collectible mini poster. Enjoy the film, then listen to the commentary featuring director Damien Leone and actor David Howard Thornton (Art himself) along with deleted scenes and a bevy of bloody bonus features from this epic slasher comedy. Head over to Dread Central to grab your copy now, because quantities are limited.
Amazonia (Available Now)
The product reviews on Amazon can sometimes be funny, disturbing, and strange. This trio of shorts uses those reviews as the basis for satirical shorts. Talk about inspiration striking in the oddest of places! See what really happens as buyers explore the seemingly harmless world of Amazon products.
What Did Jack Do? (Available now, Netflix)
We at Morbidly Beautiful recently paid tribute to David Lynch, who celebrated his 74th birthday on January 20. Lynch also toasted this occasion by releasing a short film via Netflix. This irreverent, noire-style film is totally Lynch and totally awesome. A monkey (yes, a real monkey) is a murder suspect, and Lynch himself plays the detective who is interviewing the monkey. This black and white movie even offers up a song and dance number. And if that doesn’t get you to watch, we can’t help you. Go, now, watch! You’d be a monkey not to.
Finish Him! Mortal Kombat Goes Another Round
The Mortal Kombat movies are quite possibly two of the most unforgettable movies of all time. Most fans adore the so-bad-they’re-good movies with crazy special effects and that catchy theme song that gets stuck in your head for days. Now, after 20 years, Mortal Kombat gets the big-screen treatment with a new film. We’ll get the chance to see all our favorite fatalities come to life in a rated “R” version of the video game that’s set to release in 2021. Writer Greg Russo confirmed on Twitter that he’s hoping fans will love the more realistic look of the game’s kills in the third film of the series.
Do You Like Huey Lewis and the News? How About Really Cool Horror Movie Histories?
Fans of American Psycho will be “just happy campers” upon finding out about the new Oral History of American Psycho: 20 Years Later. Full of juicy and interesting behind-the-scenes information about casting, crafting, and creating the controversial, darkly comedic film based on the book by Bret Easton Ellis, it’s a pleasure to read. Read interviews and stories from Mary Harron, the director, Christian Bale, who played the standout part of Patrick Bateman, and a number of other people associated with the film, and you’ll find out everything you never knew about this movie! MovieMaker takes you behind the scenes for a candid look at the famous film here. So, before you go return those videotapes, check it out!
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Stay tuned for more news as it develops.
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