Frightening Strikes

Late Night With the Devil did not turn out to be the tour de force I had hoped for. However, on many levels it won't disappoint especially if you are an aficionado of television in the 1970s. Set in 1977, the film centres around Jack Delroy, a popular but troubled talk show host. Delroy's beloved wife has passed away, leaving him shattered, and his career is on the slide. In a bid to revive the show, he decides to air a special live episode on Halloween night, featuring a series of guests connected to the occult: Christou, a medium; Carmichael, a bullish paranormal sceptic and Lily (accompanied by parapsychologist, Madeline Piper), a young girl who allegedly is the sole survivor of a Satanic cult and believed to be possessed. As the night progresses, what begins as a ratings-raising stunt descends into turmoil and terror as supernatural events unfold live on air.  Entertainment Turned Deadly As the episode continues, strange phenomena begin to occur as each guest demonstrates...

The Woods is a psychological thriller from first-time director, Sarah Lyons. It follows four friends - Kate, Amy, Sam, and Lucas - who, having just graduated from college, decide to commemorate their friendship by recreating a childhood camping trip. But what begins as a nostalgic reunion soon takes a darker turn. The Only Survivor Fast-forward several years and the film opens with Kate (the only one of the four who makes it back) recounting her version of events on a true crime podcast. Kate’s desire to set the record straight after a traumatic experience drives the story forward, challenged by sceptical questioning from the podcast host, and we sense she may be an unreliable narrator. The group’s journey starts brightly enough, but it’s clear early on that the trip is a passion project of Kate's rather than the joint venture that she insists it is during the interview. At a motel stop on the first night, the eerie tone is set when Amy is found sleepwalking and caught in the m...

Fréwaka is a slow-burning Irish-language folk horror that deftly weaves ancient fairy folklore and family trauma with part of Ireland's past that haunts to this day. At its centre is Shoo, a woman caught between her personal history and the unseen forces that still command respect in remote corners of the country. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Shoo is not just visiting a haunted place - she is part of its story. From Celebration to Tragedy The film opens with a wedding celebration in rural 1970s Ireland, gate-crashed by masked strangers. The bride, unsettled by their appearance, mysteriously vanishes without trace, setting an eerie tone for the strange tale that follows. Fast-forward to the present and we are introduced to Shoo and her fiancée, Mila, arriving at Shoo’s late mother’s flat to clear it out after her suicide. There is tension between them: Shoo is short-tempered and pragmatic, keen to dispose of the contents of the flat without sentiment, while Mila ...

I love a good found-footage film and Butterfly Kisses ticks all the boxes with the added bonus that the narrative unfolds using documentary-style storytelling combined with supernatural horror, making for a suspenseful and unsettling experience. Gavin York is a struggling filmmaker who stumbles upon a collection of old video tapes shot by student filmmakers Sophia and Feldman in 2004. The tapes chronicle their investigation into the urban legend of "Peeping Tom," a sinister entity said to haunt an abandoned train tunnel. According to the lore, staring down the tunnel without blinking for an hour will summon Peeping Tom, who draws ever closer each time you blink until he's up-close and personal - and not in a good way. Gavin is fascinated by the tapes and becomes obsessed with proving their authenticity, seeing a chance to become the filmmaker he's always wanted to be as well as securing financial stability along the way. However, his determination soon spirals into ...

Richard Walters writes, directs and stars in  Distort,  a found footage horror film that taps into familiar themes while crafting its own unique experience. Drawing inspiration from classics like The Blair Witch Project , it manages to pay homage without becoming a mere impersonator. Richard is a musician who ventures into the remote forests of County Wicklow, Ireland, to rekindle his creativity. Set against the backdrop of the pandemic lockdown, his solitary journey begins as an artistic escape - camping in the wilderness and recording an album, stripped of digital conveniences. But his retreat soon takes a sinister turn. Growing Unease A restless first night filled with strange sounds and the sense that a stray dog is nearby, gives way to an eerie discovery the next morning - an old cassette tape hidden beneath a pile of leaves. Intrigued but not alarmed, Richard decants to a nearby ruin to continue recording, only to be interrupted again by the sound of stones being throw...

The Possession is a 2012 supernatural horror that treads familiar ground but does so with enough heart to make it worth your while. It tells the story of the Brenek family whose lives are torn apart when the younger daughter, Emily, buys a curious, old wooden box at a yard sale. Unbeknown to them it contains a dybbuk - a malicious spirit drawn from Jewish folklore, who has intentions to live through Emma, destroying her in the process. A Sinister Force The parents, Clyde and Stephanie, have separated but remain on reasonably good terms, as they re-build their lives and co-parent their two daughters. But everything changes when younger daughter Emily, opens the ancient, sealed box and the sinister force within starts to exert its control over her causing her to behave in ways previously unimaginable. From there, the film dives into darker territory. when Clyde becomes increasingly convinced that the box is at the root of the change in Emily and starts to investigate as she is consumed ...

The Shadow of God is a theological horror that aims to subvert genre expectations by posing a provocative question: what if God is the villain? It’s a premise that promises depth, dread, and philosophical tension. Unfortunately, the execution doesn't live up to the idea. World Weary Priest Mason Harper is an experienced but weary exorcist, who returns to his hometown seeking respite after a series of exorcists are murdered on the same day. With a hotline to the Vatican, Mason is clearly valued by the powers that be in the ongoing war against evil. As he settles in and rekindles friendship with Tanis from his pre-priesthood days, he's plagued by visions of his father, Angus - a man he believed long dead, and who left Mason with deep physical and emotional scars. Initially, Mason wants to help his father, in spite of the past, believing that his behaviour back then was caused by demonic intervention. But as the plot unfolds, the truth becomes far more disturbing. In a surprisin...

Nobody Leaves ( also known as Braid) is a surreal psychological horror that explores female friendship through a lens of childhood, trauma, and twisted loyalty. The story follows Petula and Tilda (Imogen Waterhouse & Sarah Hay), two fugitives on the run after a police raid wipes out their drug stash and puts them deep into debt with their supplier. Desperate and out of options, they return to their hometown and seek shelter in the mansion of Daphne (Madeleine Brewer), a wealthy childhood friend. The plan? Get close, play nice, and extract the money from Daphne that they need to survive. The Reunion But this is no ordinary reunion. Petula anticipates that Daphne will insist that they revive a game the trio once played as children - one that comes with roles they must adopt and three strict rules: everyone must play, no outsiders allowed, and, ominously, nobody leaves. Tilda is hesitant but Petula convinces her that taking part might be their only way out of their predicament. What ...

825 Forest Road tells the story of a town, Ashland Falls, haunted by the ghost of a long-dead resident, Helen Foster, who has terrorised the locals for decades. When newcomer Chuck Wilson arrives, he finds himself drawn into the mystery surrounding Helen and her former home at 825 Forest Road - an address that, curiously, doesn’t appear on any map. The film opens promisingly, offering a glimpse of the fear that grips the town as Ashley and her friend conduct their own investigation into the legend of Forest Road. Their conversation is interrupted by an unseen and threatening presence, hinting at the dark forces at play and setting the stage for the suspense to come. A Sinister Past Chuck moves to Ashland Falls with his wife, Maria, and his sister, Isabelle, following the tragic death of their mother in a car accident - an accident that occurred while Isabelle was driving. The family settle into a house that’s been on the market for some time, unaware that the previous owner committed ...

Attachment is a Danish horror film that blends the supernatural with a tender love story. Set against the backdrop of Jewish folklore and mysticism, it explores themes of love, family, and cultural identity. As the story unfolds, it delves into relationships, tradition, and the presence of something eerie beneath it all. Instant Connection Maja (Josephine Park) is a former actress living in Denmark meets Leah (Ellie Kendrick), a Jewish woman from London. The two have an instant connection, and what starts as a whirlwind romance quickly escalates when Leah is injured after suffering a mysterious seizure. Concerned for her health, Maja accompanies Leah back to her mother’s house in a Jewish neighbourhood in London. Ellie warns Maja about her "weird mother" but undeterred, Maja steps up to try and win over Chana (Sofie Gråbøl).  While one might expect her to disapprove of Maja's relationship with her daughter,  it's not obvious that this is the reason for her hostility....

It's What's Inside is a sharp, snappy and stylish modern horror comedy that will keep you guessing and wondering what's coming next. And, in truth, it's pretty much as clever as it thinks it is. The Gathering The story kicks off with a glimpse into the relationship between Shelby and Cyrus, where sympathies veer towards Shelby - Cyrus, it seems, struggles with the basics of being an emotionally mature partner. The tension between them is clear but they put this to one side as they reunite with their old college friends after eight years, gathering for a pre-wedding celebration at the house of their soon-to-be-married friend, Reuben. With a blend of vintage charm and the avant-garde, the house itself feels like an extension of the film’s offbeat energy. As the group reconnects over drinks and nostalgia, they reflect on an old scandal - the expulsion of their former classmate, Forbes.  Through a cleverly edited flashback montage, we quickly piece together the details of...

Longlegs opens with a bleak,1970s-inspired 8mm aesthetic that immediately establishes an ominous tone. It wastes no time in introducing the titular Longlegs, who appears at the home of a young girl and confronts her in a deeply unsettling encounter, setting the stage for the creeping tension that follows. Serial Killer Cold Case Fast-forward a number of years and we're introduced to Lee Harker, a rookie FBI agent whose strained relationship with her mother (Alicia Witt) adds another layer of mystery. Harker is thrust into a cold case involving a serial killer, with her unerring intuition or psychic ability - you choose - viewed as a valuable asset by her superiors. As Harker delves deeper into the mystery with the help of her boss, Carter (Blair Underwood), she uncovers a history of shocking inter-family violence with overtones of the occult and alarmingly, a possible link to her own past. Audience vs Critics Longlegs was received favourably by critics with a more mixed reception...

Something Otherworldly at Play The Twin is a psychological horror film that follows Rachel and her husband Anthony as they relocate to a remote Scandinavian town with their son Elliot after the tragic death of his twin brother, Nathan. However, Rachel soon begins to suspect that something otherworldly is at play, as Elliot's behaviour changes in disturbing ways that seem to be linked to his deceased twin. At first, Elliot's change in attitude seems to stem from his own grief. In response, Rachel becomes more protective than usual, while Anthony takes a hands-off approach, believing it isn't healthy for Elliot to have every whim indulged. As a result, the couple couple become separated by their shared grief. The English Eccentric Rachel struggles to fit in to the lo the community, particularly as the locals are an odd bunch being mostly elderly, dressed in vintage clothing and stubbornly uncommunicative. However, she finds an ally in another outsider, Helen, an eccentric En...

Reina: Simone Policano Cory: Jeff Ayars Zeke: Drew Beckas Director: Omri Dorani Writers: Omri Dorani & Rob Harmon Release: 2019 "This is Our Home" explores the dynamics of a fractured relationship, against a backdrop of mystery and emotional discord. As the story of Reyna and Cory unfolds, we are met with flashes of their past interwoven with a present bedevilled by unresolved issues and an unsettling encounter with a boy who claims he is their son. It kicks off with Reyna (Rey) and Cory heading out to her childhood home for some space to try and repair their relationship, with just a hint as to what lies behind their current struggles. They seem to be genuinely in love but vacillate between displays of affection and vicious bickering so clearly, there is work to be done. We are given glimpses of happier times but it's clear that they harbour a traumatic secret creating a tension that lingers throughout the film. On their first night at the property, after a plea...

  Kate: Lora Burke Beth: Tessa Kozma Hal: Colin Paradine Mary: Kristen MacCulloch Lewis: Nick Smyth Director: Craig Wallace Writer:  Craig Wallace & Ian Malone Release:  2021 From the opening scene this is an intriguing tale where nothing is as it seems to be. And "seems to be" is a theme running through the story which is the beauty of "Motherly", weaving a narrative through a labyrinth of secrets managing to be both intriguing and entertaining. Kate and her 9 year old daughter Beth have escaped a traumatic past and now find themselves hiding in isolation in a rural area. From the start, it's evident that there's tension between them, with Beth displaying defiance and a longing to be with her dad and Kate, who is protective but somewhat controlling and prone to outbursts of frustrated anger.  They are not entirely alone as help is on hand in the form of Hal who is there to keep an eye on them and ensure their safety, especially when Kate suspects that a...

Estrella: Paola Lara El Shine: Juan Ramon Lopez Morro: Nery Arredondo Tucsi: Hanssel Casillas Pop: Rodrigo Cortez El Chino : Tenoch Huerta Caco: Ianis Guerrero Director: Issa Lopez Writer: Issa Lopez Release: 2019 Tigers Don't Cry isn't a horror film in the strictest sense. The horror is more of the human kind although it's interwoven with del Toro-esque fantasy visuals and supernatural visions, creating a modern fairy tale that will both enrage you and break your heart. The story opens, in an un-named Mexican city, with Estrella (Paola Lara) at school with her and her classmates having to take cover as a gunfight erupts outside. We are quickly exposed to the world of violence that surrounds Estrella and it’s clear that this is commonplace as she walks home past a dead body without flinching. On her return home, Estrella finds an empty apartment and waits for her mother to return. After many hours, she is driven to seek refuge with a gang of orphans who have built ...