Frightening Strikes

  Introduction January may not be overflowing with horror releases, but the few films hitting screens this month show plenty of promise. From psychological thrillers and survival horrors to creature features and supernatural tales, the lineup offers a strong mix of tension, atmosphere, and character-driven scares. While the selection is modest, each title has something distinctive to offer — whether it’s a chilling return to a classic franchise, a fresh take on folk or cosmic horror, or a tightly wound survival nightmare. Here’s a look at what horror fans can expect this month. We Bury the Dead   In the aftermath of a sudden global collapse, a small civilian task force is assigned to recover bodies from a quarantined zone. What begins as a grim logistical operation soon turns nightmarish when signs emerge that the dead are not staying buried. As isolation deepens and trust erodes, the team must confront a horrifying truth about what remains of humanity — and what is rising to ...

Christmas has always been fertile ground for horror. Beneath the decorations, rituals, and goodwill lies a holiday steeped in darkness and uneasy folkloric tradition. Filmmakers take advantage of that contrast, using festive familiarity to heighten unease rather than offer comfort. The films below span decades and subgenres, from slashers and folklore to bleak psychological slow burns, each finding its own way to corrupt seasonal cheer. Whether cynical, brutal, or quietly unsettling, these are horror films (in no particular order) that understand the power of turning reassurance into threat — and why Christmas can feel more frightening than joyful. 1. Black Christmas (1974) During the Christmas break, a group of sorority sisters begin receiving obscene phone calls that slowly escalate into something far more dangerous. As police investigate a missing student, the house becomes the centre of an unseen and increasingly menacing threat. Black Christmas lays it on the line with chilling a...

Anything for Jackson is one of those little gems you come across every now and then and wonder why you hadn’t watched it before. It had been on my radar for a while, but I’d never quite felt compelled to commit. The idea of an elderly couple performing a reverse exorcism didn’t feel like a “must-see”. That said, taking the plunge turned out to be a good decision. This is a surprisingly elegant and well-handled horror from Justin G. Dyck—better known for films with “Christmas” in the title. An Ancient Satanic Ritual Henry and Audrey Walsh are an affluent but otherwise unremarkable couple. Henry is the town doctor, Audrey his composed and quietly driven wife. After the loss of their grandson, Jackson, they turn to an ancient satanic ritual in an attempt to bring him back and repair their damaged lives. Early on, Audrey and Henry kidnap a pregnant woman and hold her prisoner in their home in order to perform the ritual and the couple go to great lengths to acquire the knowledge they need...