Haunting Melodies: Songs and Spectres Abound in Irish Folk Horror ‘All You Need is Death’

April 16, 2024

First coined by Jacques Derrida in his book Spectres of Marx, the term ‘Hauntology’ refers to the persistence of elements from the social or cultural past that recur in the… Continue reading "Haunting Melodies: Songs and Spectres Abound in Irish Folk Horror ‘All You Need is Death’"

A Special Kind of Hell: Demián Rugna’s ‘When Evil Lurks’ is a Taboo-Smashing Possession Horror

October 19, 2023

The arrival of Terrifier to streaming services in 2017 signalled that Argentine director Demián Rugna’s rare talent was about to break him into the international mainstream. Here was a director… Continue reading "A Special Kind of Hell: Demián Rugna’s ‘When Evil Lurks’ is a Taboo-Smashing Possession Horror"

Dead Funny: Tom Short on Blending Comedy and Horror in ‘The Stand Up Horror Show’

June 9, 2023

A performer known for his whimsically surreal shows, Manchester-based comedian Tom Short’s latest project weaves horror and the occult into an hour-long stand-up gig. The Stand Up Horror Show takes… Continue reading "Dead Funny: Tom Short on Blending Comedy and Horror in ‘The Stand Up Horror Show’"

Talking Tattoos, Folklore and the Occult with London Blackwork Artist Elisa Thirteen

May 5, 2023

With the London launch of Tattoodo, the world’s leading tattoo app, Londoners will find it easier than ever to connect with the creative and talented artists that make up the… Continue reading "Talking Tattoos, Folklore and the Occult with London Blackwork Artist Elisa Thirteen"

Face the Wrath of the ‘Mad God’: A Bizarre, Gory, Stop-Motion Fever Dream

June 7, 2022

Although he is a film industry legend, Phil Tippett is not necessarily a household name. Toiling away behind the scenes, Tippett has had a hand in crafting some of the most… Continue reading "Face the Wrath of the ‘Mad God’: A Bizarre, Gory, Stop-Motion Fever Dream"

Don’t Go in the Woods: ‘Ghosts of the Ozarks’ is a Contemplative Take on Period Folk Horror

May 23, 2022

Taking narrative cues from The Village and The Wickerman, Ghosts of the Ozarks invites us into the seemingly idyllic village of Norfork, a bubble of serenity in the turbulent landscape… Continue reading "Don’t Go in the Woods: ‘Ghosts of the Ozarks’ is a Contemplative Take on Period Folk Horror"

Tears of Blood: ‘The Sadness’ is as Extreme as Pandemic Horror Gets

May 11, 2022

While there have been many films since the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic that have used the international crisis as inspiration for horror, most have set their sites on the… Continue reading "Tears of Blood: ‘The Sadness’ is as Extreme as Pandemic Horror Gets"

Trouble and Strife: ‘Held’ is a Marriage Counselling Session From Hell

April 26, 2022

In Held, Jill Awbrey (who also wrote the script) stars as Emma, a woman who has booked a stay at an AirBnB-style rental home with husband Henry (Bart Johnson). The… Continue reading "Trouble and Strife: ‘Held’ is a Marriage Counselling Session From Hell"

Down the Rabbit Hole: ‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ is Internet Horror Done Right

April 19, 2022

The unique dangers of online culture have long been considered ideal fodder for horror movies, yet somehow most depictions end up falling short. They paint the internet as a monolithic… Continue reading "Down the Rabbit Hole: ‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ is Internet Horror Done Right"

Escaping into Scottish Solitude: Director Russell Owen on Slow-Burn Horror ‘Shepherd’

February 27, 2022

Desperate for a remedy to his grief after the loss of his wife, Eric Black finds solitude in the form of a newspaper advert: Remote west-coast island seeks sole resident… Continue reading "Escaping into Scottish Solitude: Director Russell Owen on Slow-Burn Horror ‘Shepherd’"

Windswept and Interesting: Mysterious Folk Horror ‘Shepherd’ Stands Out From the Flock

February 20, 2022

If you like films like Germany’s Hagasuzza – that is, earthy folk horror films with the slow pace and crushing atmosphere of a doom metal album – then you might be… Continue reading "Windswept and Interesting: Mysterious Folk Horror ‘Shepherd’ Stands Out From the Flock"

The Manifestation of Mourning: Director Jeremiah Kipp on Grief and Witches in ‘Slapface’

February 20, 2022

Slapface is a hard-hitting horror from Jeremiah Kipp, which fuses social commentary together with the sinister. It sheds light on how trauma and human suffering can manifest into something much… Continue reading "The Manifestation of Mourning: Director Jeremiah Kipp on Grief and Witches in ‘Slapface’"

Retail of the Damned: ‘Black Friday’ is a Schlocky B-Movie Oozing with Camp

February 9, 2022

With a cast that includes horror icons Devon Sawa and Bruce Campbell, as well as action star Michael Jai White, Black Friday promises a fast-paced gorefest. This low-budget horror comedy from… Continue reading "Retail of the Damned: ‘Black Friday’ is a Schlocky B-Movie Oozing with Camp"

Hail to the Queen Bee: Indie Cult Horror ‘Honeycomb’ Showcases a Rising Talent

February 7, 2022

Shot during the summer of 2019 in British Colombia, Honeycomb is a coming-of-age drama turned deadly from up-and-coming director Avalon Fast. It features no paid actors and was shot on… Continue reading "Hail to the Queen Bee: Indie Cult Horror ‘Honeycomb’ Showcases a Rising Talent"

‘Petrov’s Flu’: A Delirious Fever Dream of Violence and Rage

January 29, 2022

The latest film from Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov opens in a stuffy and oppressive environment. Petrov (Semyon Serzin) is on a crowded bus, sweating and coughing as he is jostled… Continue reading "‘Petrov’s Flu’: A Delirious Fever Dream of Violence and Rage"