Welcome back to our horror list! We have moved onto the first part of the letter P, we have some great ones in here and maybe a surprise or two as well. Enjoy. Poltergeist (1982) The film where everyone has an open suspicion that Spielberg wanted to direct a horror
Tag: horror
The Deep House – ★★★ 3/4
A fantastically effective horror, The Deep House works on your fears of being underwater with limited oxygen and amplifies it tenfold with a haunted house. As fresh as it comes, this isn’t one to miss.
Pennywise: The Story of IT ★★★ 1/2
Filmmakers John Campopiano and Chris Griffiths present audiences with their definitive look back at the much-loved IT miniseries in Pennywise: The Story of IT. Full of details the avid fan will love, there is a lot here to enjoy. Exploring the 1990 miniseries, based on Stephen King’s iconic novel IT,
Bite ★★★ FrightFest 2022
An ambitious film that does stretch itself a tad too thin at times, Bite is still a great watch that warmly embraces its horror to provide quite a few inducing moments. James Owen’s debut feature is one that satisfies. Nina (Shian Denovan) is desperate to put her life back on
End Zone 2 – FrightFest 2022
The remaining two acts of End Zone 2 are presented to audiences after the terrific The Once and Future Smash, a brutally authentic 70s trash horror that will leave you wondering just how good that missing 3rd act really was. Fifteen years after the events of End Zone, Smash-Mouth is
The Once and Future Smash ★★★★ FrightFest 2022
The Once and Future Smash is an absolute treat for genre fans. With so many wonderful moments carefully laden within the spoof film that you could easily find yourself clapping away at it. Just a joy of a film. The End Zone 2 was a football-themed slasher from 1970 that
Horror films to watch starting with O
Opera (1987) Dario Argento comes back again to the list with this vicious film. What strikes you most about Opera is just how visually stunning it is, and considering how overlooked this is amongst Argento’s work, that becomes a surprise. Of course, Argento’s weaknesses come to the fore here, but
Kickstart My Heart ★★★★ HollyShorts Film Festival
A film that isn’t afraid to kick some ass, Kickstart My Heart is everything you want it to be. Kelsey Bollig has made a film you never want to end – a fantastic short from a highly promising filmmaker.
When I Consume You ★★★
When Perry Blackshear focuses his latest film on the trauma and bleakness of his character’s situation, When I Consume You excels as a psychological thriller. The sense of dread is rife throughout the film, it loses itself when it tries to do too much. Nevertheless, this film affects you with
Donkerster ★★★★ 1/2 – (Short) Small Gauge Trauma – Fantasia International Film Festival
Donkerster is a film that brings two things to the table: an astounding atmosphere and one terrific performance from young actress Adriana Bakker. A faultless short film.
I Call Upon Thee – (Short Film) Small Gauge Trauma – Fantasia International Film Festival
Michael Kratochvil successfully unsettles his audience once his film I Call Upon Thee gets going. With strong performances from the young actresses, this is a short you won’t soon forget. “It’s not, dad. It’s worse.” Two young sisters in an unhappy home perform an incantation to summon… something… anything in
The Breach ★★★ 1/2 Fantasia International Film Festival
The Breach may tread down familiar paths but does so with great confidence. The focus on the story is what shines through here. Though it doesn’t hurt that when the film wants to get gruesome, it does so with glee.
Sissy – ★★★★ – Fantasia International Film Festival
A horror for millennials, Sissy takes the idea of social ostracism and childhood trauma and runs with it. Resulting in a compelling and unexpected bloodbath of a film, thoroughly tremendous. Writer-directors Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes along with lead Aisha Dee have knocked it out of the park. Cecelia (Aisha
Orchestrator of Storms: The Fantastique World of Jean Rollin – ★★★★ Fantasia International Film Festival
Utterly captivating, Orchestrator of Storms takes you on an honest but loving journey through the life and career of “fantastique” filmmaker Jean Rollins. A wonderful watch.
Dr Lamb ★★★ 1/2 – Fantasia International Film Festival 2022
Exploitative Cat III classic Dr Lamb leaves little to the imagination once our killer reveals all. A wild ride of a film that refuses to relent in its perversity and is one that you are not likely to forget anytime soon.
Employee of the Month ★★★ 1/2 – Fantasia International Film Festival 2022
Employee of the month has a lot to saw for a black horror comedy with writer-director Véronique Jadin nailing her message. A film that has you cheering for the under appreciated.
We’re All Going To The World’s Fair – ★★★★
You will be hard-pressed to find a film that portrays isolation effectively and unsettlingly as We’re All Going To The World’s Fair does. Jane Schoenbrun’s psychological horror hits harder than you ever expect it to, thanks to a terrific turn from Anna Cobb. A fantastic debut feature. Alone in her
Horror Channel celebrates history of genre cinema with THE VINTAGE VAULT
Starting in May, Horror Channel journeys into the history of genre cinema with THE VINTAGE VAULT, which will present double-bills of classic sci-fi and horror films every Sunday night. The season premieres on Sunday May 1st with THE INVISIBLE MAN, in which Claude Rains delivers a remarkable performance in his screen debut. This is
A Banquet – ★★★ 1/2 Glasgow Film Festival
Ruth Paxton’s A Banquet takes us down a tragic voyage through the repercussions of loss with a family firmly teetering on edge. However, with that said, there are times it feels as if this psychological horror has taken on a touch more than it can handle, with you either leaving
Sweetie, You Won’t Believe It – ★★★
Slapstick aplenty is served to us by Yernar Nurgaliyev’s horror-comedy, Sweetie, You Won’t Believe It. With an added generous helping of gore to keep us going, we are left with a film that struggles to break the one-dimensional stereotypes. After accidentally witnessing a murder by a group of thugs, the
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) ★★ 1/2
Netflix’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre keeps with the brutality of the first film, but is weighed down by its story, lack of tension and repetitive nature to fully enjoy it. Come for the kills only. Such a shame.
Slapface – ★★★ 1/2
Writer-Director Jeremiah Kipp uses horror to accentuate the emotionally devastating life of a young teen in film Slapface. The constant stream of torment that engulfs the excellent August Maturo breaks you a unexpectedly powerful film.
Top Horror Films of 2021
Another fantastic year for horror, whether it be mammoth documentaries covering a decade, thoughtful character pieces or practical effects laden absurdities, 2021 had it all, here are some of what we thought were the best.
Titane – London Film Festival
Titane is bold and visceral, but actually works best when it focuses itself on the main themes of the story. Instead Ducournau’s film gets too wrapped up in the lure of shocking it’s audience that it leaves behind the story.
The Retaliators ★★★ – Arrow Video Frightfest 2021
What should be a standard revenge thriller takes a hard turn into the schlock, and it is all the better for it. While not perfect, The Retaliators blunt approach, coupled with Michael Lombardi’s performance, makes it an entertaining horror An upstanding pastor John Bishop (Michael Lombardi), uncovers a dark and
The Last Thing Mary Saw – ★★★ 1/2
A bleak tale of a family keeping too close to Christian doctrine. While The Last Thing Mary Saw doesn’t bring any new ideas to the table, it has an effective atmosphere that grows darker by the minute.
Gaia – ★★★ 1/2
A slow burn narrative allows for eco-horror Gaia to come into its own by taking advantage of stunning visual storytelling. Jaco Bouwer’s film entrances you and does so much right and makes you pay attention to it.
Scare Me – ★★★
An entertaining film that feels like a love letter to all the writers out there, struggling or best selling. Scare Me takes some bold decisions with its confined setting; taking advantage of a smart script & two great performances.
Mad God ★★★★ 1/2 – Edinburgh Film Fest 2021
Phil Tippett has created a nightmare, a wonderful, gloriously gruesome and relentlessly horrifying nightmare that leaves you with your jaw firmly on the ground. Simply put, you will have never seen anything like Mad God.
Hellbender ★★★ 3/4 Fantasia Fest 2021
A confident coming of age horror that focuses more on the ever-changing dynamic between parent and child. The Adams family has made a very surprisingly effective film in Hellbender. One that does so much right and very little wrong – a fantastically refreshing film. Teenager Izzy (Zelda Adams) lives a
Mosquito State – ★★ 3/4 Shudder
Despite having interesting ideas, Mosquito State is never able to grab its audience’s attention fully. Its unsubtle story hinders this flawed body horror from being something as memorable as it really should be.
Jakob’s Wife – ★★★ Shudder
A horror that very much keeps with an entertaining 80s vibe #JakobsWife has its bloody cake and eats it. Successfully toeing the line of keeping true to its core story while having a blast. As entertaining as you can imagine.
Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror ★★★★ – Fantasia Fest 2021
A wondrous deep dive into all things folk horror, Kier-La Janisse’s film takes us on a marathon three hour plus journey, yet you are never bored in this absolute much watch.
Agnes ★★★★ – Fantasia Fest 2021
Carrying on from the excellent Climate of the Hunter, filmmaker Mickey Reece brings us a film full of mood and isolation. Reece is ambitious here with Agnes, and he manages to pull it off with a great film that is a must-watch.
Alien On Stage ★★★★ – Fantasia Fest 2021
Everything you want it to be and more, Alien on Stage is a love letter to those who always dreamed of making the unlikely happen. A wonderful triumph that will have you grinning for its entire runtime.
Fantasia International Film Festival 2021 Preview
Fantasia International Film Festival is almost upon us and as we here at Upcoming On Screen are getting the opportunity to cover it this year, I felt it was a good idea to let you have an idea of what is on offer. Roaring into its 25th year, the Montreal
The B-Movie VHS Vault – Die Sister Die (1978)
Some films never make it to DVD, Blu-Ray or digital or if they did, their prints are long gone. This series wants to look back at those films, that almost slipped through our B-Movie grubby little fingers.
The Babadook – Second Sight LE Blu Ray ★★★★
Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook is a masterful horror film, that takes advantage of its human story to scare the life out of you. An unmissable film in an unmissable package and out from Monday 26th
Kandisha – ★★★ 1/2
An impressive horror from Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury utilises many well-used horror tropes and can bring something fresh to the table. Rife with tension and some gruesome scares, Kandisha demands your time.
Fear Street Trilogy Reviews – ★★ 1/2
The Fear Street trilogy misses the opportunity to be something special, instead, bogged down with too much worldbuilding, overbearing scores and mere moments of nostalgia. Disappointing with how forgettable it becomes.
Piccolo Corpo ★★★★ 1/2
Laura Samani’s hauntingly beautiful Piccolo Corpo is a triumph. This is a voyage of uncompromising love and sacrifice, utterly unmissable with enduring and memorable performances from Celeste Cescutti and Ondina Quadri.
The Stylist Short Cuts
Jill Gebargizian’s The Stylist began as a short film and last month to honour that, the good folks at Arrow decided to run a contest of for female filmmakers working on both sides of the camera to make and send their films in.
Son – ★★★ 3/4 (Shudder)
Andi Matichak shines in Ivan Kavanagh’s effective and surprising chiller Son. Filled with confidence, this is a film that makes sure to get the little things right and, by its finale, has you gripped.
Ten Minutes to Midnight – ★★★
Caroline Williams gives the best performance of her career in Ten Minutes to Midnight. This film has a wonderful underlying story that has you come in for the horror but stay for the on point and insightful commentary.
Army of the Dead – ★★★
#ArmyoftheDead flatters to deceive with a premise that should make it stand out. but is severely lacking in its script by being just too predictable. Neither disappointing nor great, this is a film that settles with being just okay.
Psycho Goreman – ★★★★
A practical effects-laden joy. Psycho Goreman is everything a genre fan would love but can also go beyond a niche B-movie to be a schlocky film that will entertain everyone. Siblings Mimi and Luke unwittingly resurrect an ancient alien overlord who was interred on Earth millions of years ago after a failed
Threshold – ★★★
Powell Robinson & Robert-Patrick Young’s Threshold works best when it focuses on its two siblings simply trying to reconnect. Despite the painfully rushed ending, it shows moments of beauty and allows the viewer to enjoy the overall journey
The Banishing – ★★★
The Banishing – ★★★
A solid ghost story, with some great performances, Christopher Smith’s The Banishing gets so close to being a tremendous, however it fizzles out all too soon before the end credits.
I Blame Society – ★★★ 3/4
Gillian Wallace Horvat’s wonderfully uncomfortable yet sharp debut feature I Blame Society, is a film that gets under your skin and once it gets going takes zero prisoners. We have a film that is as fantastic as it is creative.
The Reckoning – ★★
The high hopes of Neil Marshalls The Reckoning is quickly dissipated by a run of the mill story with woeful dialogue and one of the most overpowering scores in recent times. This is one that sadly needs to be avoided. Set against the Great Plague’s backdrop and subsequent witch-hunts against women, Grace
For the Sake of Vicious – ★★★★
Welcome to your new favourite cult midnight movie. For the Sake of Vicious is a film that wears its bloody heart on its sleeve and, after a tense opening half, let’s loose in ways that will have you clapping away in glee.
Willy’s Wonderland – ★ 1/2
Willy’s Wonderland is a stupid film, not a fun horror. It is a pointless film trying to piggyback on a tired videogame. Utterly terrible and devoid of anything worthwhile. Toss into the forget immediately pile. I wish I could.
Shortcut – ★ 1/2
We have a film that totally misreads what audience it should be targeting and by trying to go more mature, Shortcut never convinces its audience enough. This is a film that needs to be aimed at younger audiences to be more effective.
The Night – ★★★★
Kourosh Ahari’s The Night is a throwback of a horror that allows for its ample tension to build, coupled with a great script and two fantastic performances, this is a film that never lets you settle.
Sacrifice – ★★★
Sacrifice is a horror that forgets that it is trying to tell its audience a story and instead focuses on giving us beautiful shots and imagery. With an able cast who do their best, they are hindered by an underwritten script.
The Columnist – ★★★★
Ivo van Aarts horror satire delights in asking questions about free speech, censorship and validation in an online world. This sharp film is an absolute must-watch.
The Ice Cream Truck (2017) – ★★ 3/4
Lost in what direction and story it wants to tell, a film that could have so much promise as a drama or a horror. Instead, this mishmash doesn’t go far enough with either subplot to make itself felt.
The Stylist (Arrow) – ★★★★
Jill Gevargizian continues her upward trajectory as a filmmaker with her strong feature debut The Stylist. Led by the empathetic yet murderous Najarra Townsend, we are given a film that expands upon her 2016 short tremendously.
Lucky (Shudder) – ★★★ 1/2
It may not seem it at first, but Natasha Kermani’s Lucky is an angry film that challenges its audience while still wearing its heart firmly on its bloody sleeve. A sharp film that makes it’s presence felt.
Horror films to watch: Letter N Part 2
The letter N just had too many good horror films, so we venture into part 2 of 3. With a broad range of films here, there is something for any genre fans.
Butchers – ★★ 3/4
A decent homage to the well worn hill billy films. Butchers has the potential to be far more better than it ends up being floundering by being just too predictable with its story and plentiful clichés.
Demons and Demons 2 – Arrow Boxset ★★★★ 1/2
Lamberto Bava’s essential Italian horror films Demons and Demons 2 are getting the Ultra 4K treatment from Arrow. This marvelous boxset is a must buy chocked full of extras and commentaries. An splatter fest joy.
Shogun’s Joy of Torture – ★★★★
Exploitation cinema has been around for a very long time; how long? Well, Shogun’s Joy of Torture was made in 1968, and it has been given the complete Arrow Video treatment in this wonderfully depraved Blu Ray release.
Wrong Turn 2021 – ★★★ 3/4
We have a film striving to take a big step away from its predecessors, and it is all the better for doing so. Wrong Turn is an intense, well-written horror that puts its solid stamp on the genre.
The Owners – ★★★
Never rob from someone you know. That is the lesson in Julius Berg’s The Owners. . Not a knockout, but it might knock your granny’s false teeth out.
What Lies Below – ★★★ 3/4
Braden R. Duemmler’s What Lies Below is a stylish sci-fi horror driven by its three exceptional leads. With a great premise with a multitude of interesting elements, this is an atmospheric film not to let sneak under your radar.
The Curse of Dracula – ★★★ 1/4
A film that really comes from nowhere to become a surprising joy of a horror.
Skin Collector (aka Shiver) 2012 – ★★
Despite a strong performance from Danielle Harris, Skin Collector is held down by it’s laugh out loud bad script. With some great ideas, this should be far better than it eventually ended up being. Such a disappointment.
Shook ★★★ 1/2 – Shudder release
Jennifer Harrington’s feature is a stylish horror with a great premise. It’s problematic opening half is far outweighed by its excellent second. Shook offers a scathing look at the effects of social media on today’s influencer crazed society. A film that has so much potential, but just doesn’t quite hit
Broil ★★★ – Digital Release
Broil brings with it an interesting premise and a sprinkling of great moments. Yet struggles with this potential. In the end actually needing more runtime to flesh itself out. However, this is still a film where much reward can be found.
Tammy and the T-Rex ★★1/2 – Blu Ray Review
Tammy and The T-Rex is a shamelessly fun B-Movie that has been given its rightful cut by 101 Films. An utter joy of a cult comedy horror.
In Search of Darkness II – ★★★★★
In Search of Darkness II – ★★★★★
A perfect, 260-minute sequel doc that enhances & expands on its original. An utter joy for not only a fan of the genre but a fan of cinema.
Available now from February 5 to February 14th 2021 at http://www.80sHorrorDoc.com.
A Ghost Waits – ★★★★ 1/2
A Ghost Waits is a pitch-perfect film. With faultless performances from its two leads, this is a wonderfully empathetic film that won’t be long forgotten. A brilliant must see gem.
I Am Toxic (2018) – ★★ 1/2
Pablo Pares I Am Toxic is a missed opportunity of a horror that goes for the easy plot points when the more complex narratives were staring it squarely in the face.
Crone Wood (2016) – ★★ 1/2
Mark Sheridan’s Irish horror has elements that work tremendously, leads Elva Trill & Ed Murphy are particularly strong. Sadly Crone Wood just fades away by trying to do too much in the short runtime it has.
The Queen of Black Magic ★★★ 1/2
Indonesian horror The Queen of Black Magic will surprise you by just how good it is. A visually appealing film with some great scares to set a solid benchmark for the genre for the rest of 2021.
January ARROW Shorts Review: Part 2
Arrow Films Video presents an exclusive selection of the entries from its HORROR LOCKDOWN SHORTS contest. Little horror gems that show no matter the confines, creativity is endless.
Jan ARROW Shorts Review: Part 1
In January ARROW presents an exclusive selection of the outstanding entries from its HORROR LOCKDOWN SHORTS contest, short films delivering slick, sharp scares, delving into oft-uncharted and bizarre worlds,
![[REC] ★★★★ – Arrow Blu Ray Release](https://i0.wp.com/upcomingonscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0_8aDLnf5iCnUi94d3.jpg?fit=1011%2C538&ssl=1)
[REC] ★★★★ – Arrow Blu Ray Release
[REC] is a claustrophobic horror gem that took everyone by surprise and 13 years later, it still cements itself as one of the best horror films of the 21st Century. An exhilarating 74-minute ride
12 Hour Shift ★★★ – Digital Release
While lacking in development writer/director Brea Grant delivers a surprisingly entertaining flick that isn’t afraid to dip its toes into the absurd.
The Call ★★ 1/2 – DVD and Digital Release
Timothy Woodward Jr’s 80s centric horror jaunt The Call gives audiences a solid premise that is seemingly tossed away for no apparent reason by the time we reach the third act.
Horror films to watch: Letter B Part 2
A look back at horror films to watch beginning with the letter B. Part 2 as there was just too many to contain in one post!
Alone ★★★★ – Digital Release
Alone, is a rare survival thriller that rises above the well-deserved hype and allows it’s cast to shine in a minimalist film that packs one hell of a punch.
Let’s Scare Julie ★★★ 1/2 – Digital release
Let’s Scare Julie is a bold one-take horror that is rife with tension thanks to its excellent young cast, it just doesn’t provide us with enough scares.
Blind ★★ – Digital Review
Blind has the story and a lead that could have it be quite an interesting horror film. Yet it flounders in areas that it most certainly should not. A stylish looking film that offers nothing else.
Game of Death ★★★ – Digital Review
Game of Death is a great entertaining modern B-movie. Our seven young adults quickly decide whether it is better to kill or to await a gruesome death.
Horror films to watch: Letter N
We move onto the letter N in our A-Z of horror films we think you should watch. This is part 1 of 3.
Death of Me ★★★ – Digital review
Darren Lynn Bousman brings an unnerving and inventive concept with Death of Me. Maggie Q shines in a film that doesn’t takes the easy option too often.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) – Blu-Ray review
George A. Romero’s classic 1978 horror has been given a remarkable remastering in Second Sight Films limited edition boxset. An unmissable purchase.
The Cleansing Hour ★★★1/2
The Cleansing Hour is as entertaining as any horror you will see this year, with great performances and tremendous special effects, this is one to watch.
Ropes ★★★★ – Digital Release
José Luis Montesinos presents a claustrophobic feature debut in Ropes with Paula del Río giving a tremendous performance. Ropes is a brilliantly executed film.
Blood Harvest ★★★1/2 – Digital Review
Thomas Robert Lee’s sophomore picture Blood Harvest shows growing confidence in his ability as a storyteller coupled with strong performances from his cast.
Horror films to watch: Letter M (part 3)
We continue our Horror film series by finishing off the letter M with some underseen classics, some 80s horror comedies to some early cinema masterpieces.
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) – ★★★★ 1/2 Silent Sundays
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is a visually astounding picture that was as influential as they come to the future of the horror genre and cinema itself.
Spanish Horror Ropes set for digital release November 19th
Smart Dog Productions are delighted to announce that their latest Spanish horror thriller, Ropes, will be released on Digital Download from 19th November. Fresh from it’s screening at Manchester’s Grimmfest, where it won Best Feature Film and Best Actress, Ropes will be available on iTunes, Amazon and Google from 19th
Hellraiser: Revelations – ★★1/2
We are in the end game now gang. We are in the penultimate film of our series and I can almost guess that if you asked people how many Hellraiser films there are, they would not get close to 10. Anyway, Here we go Hellraiser: Revelations! Two friends Steven Craven
Hellraiser: Hellworld – ★★1/2
We reach the tail end of our Hellraiser series with number 8 in the franchise Hellraiser: Hellworld. Released an unthinkable and almost impressive 92 DAYS after Hellraiser: Deader was released. Honestly, I can imagine people renting out Deader and then three months later going back to Blockbuster (we had an