Director – Jacob Lees Johnson (Dissolution, Studio C)
Starring – Alexis Zollicoffer (Freaky Tales, Sympathy for the Devil), Noah Kershisnik (Slay Ride: The Movie, Grizzly Night), and Mallory Everton (The Aquabats! RadVentures!, Hidden)
Release Date – 2025
Rating – 2.5/5

I always try to watch as many horror and Halloween centered films as I can during my annual October horror binge. I prefer Halloween-centric kids movies like Double Double Toil and Trouble, The Midnight Hour, R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead, and so on. However, I’m always going to be a fan of horror and can’t go an entire month without it.

Back before the month started I was contacted to review the film I See the Demon. The title and poster really stirred my curiosity and I agreed to check it out. In fact, I thought this would be a perfect addition to my October watch list.

**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Lucy (Zollicoffer) who returns home to find several friends, her husband, and her family’s synth servant has planned a birthday party for her. What should have been an unforgettable evening with friends turns sinister when she starts seeing the unexplained. As she tries to figure out what is real and what is in her head, she learns that her life is not as it seems. **Spoiler Alert**

I went into this one expecting a certain kind of film and what I found was a story that I was not expecting along with a cast of characters that I did not like. My excitement for this one quickly dissipated and the film was difficult to finish. I hate writing negative reviews for films sent my way but I have to be honest. I seriously wanted to like this one but it was not for me.

The acting in this one is not bad. I want to clearly state that before I dive into it. The cast does a solid job with the roles they were given. However, the characters are not written that well. The cast doesn’t have a lot to work with and I found myself wishing that if there was demons in the film then they would get ahold of most of these characters. I did enjoy Zollicoffer’s performance once the film picked up and her character is not as insufferable as the others.

The story for this one is a horror heavy sci-fi film centered around a woman who has been drugged and her memories rewritten by her piece of shit husband and the family synth. This could have been a pretty solid sci-fi horror film if it really embodied the synth angle and explained more as to why this was happening. Instead, the film is mostly watching a young woman have a mental breakdown as her pretentious friends talk about their bullshit lives. The dialogue is very forced which makes the film feel longer than it actually is.

Finally, the film has a few moments that utilize lighting and fun camera tricks to make a scene chilling but those looking for a high body count and amazing effects will surely be disappointed. Overall, I See the Demon could have been fun and even memorable if it would have embraced it’s story while giving us some answers to the questions we have. I seriously wanted to like it but it just wasn’t for me. I get where the title comes from but it is very misleading and disappointing especially if you dig religious horror. It’s very middle of the road and I can recommend at least a dozen other films I’ve reviewed this year that are more enjoyable than this one.

Silver Compass Studios has completed principal photography on What Are You Afraid Of?, a feature-length documentary exploring why people are drawn to fear, why we seek out experiences designed to scare us, and why others devote themselves to creating those experiences.

Filming concluded October 30 following months of production centered around the Boo Crew Haunted House in Rochester, Illinois. The documentary follows the volunteers throughout their 2026 season as they plan, build, rehearse, and bring their annual Halloween attraction to life.

At the heart of the film is a simple question: Why are we drawn toward fear?

Through the Boo Crew’s story and interviews with psychologists, historians, and creators in the fear-as-entertainment industry, the documentary examines the psychology, history, and creativity behind our fascination with being scared.

Beyond the scares, the film also reveals the friendships and sense of family that have developed among Boo Crew volunteers. For many, the haunt has become more than a seasonal activity. It’s a creative outlet and a place where they feel accepted, valued, and genuinely belong.

“Finishing principal photography is a huge milestone, but what excites me most is how much the story grew while we were filming,” said director Ben Harl. “We started out exploring why people are drawn to fear, but spending time with the Boo Crew revealed another story. These are people who have found friendships, a creative outlet, and a place where they fit in. That human element has become an important part of the film.”

The documentary explores how fear, an emotion typically associated with danger, has become the foundation for storytelling, art, entertainment, and even community.

“Fear as entertainment is one of the strangest and most revealing things humans do,” Harl added. “We write stories about it, make movies about it, build entire environments around it, and then buy tickets to experience it. Understanding what draws people into that world, both as creators and audiences, is really at the heart of this film.”

With principal photography complete, What Are You Afraid Of? now enters post-production, with a planned release in October 2027.

Plot synopsis:
Horror fan Ivy (Sophie Godin) finds herself in a monster movie of her own when she begins to suddenly mutate into a hungry reptilian creature. To make matters worse, a local serial killer (Jasmin Rae) has set her eyes on Ivy.

Also starring Ali Chappell (Necropolis: Legion), Cindy Hinds (The Brood) and indie horror icon Debbie Rochon (Tromeo & Juliet, Terror Firmer, Model Hunger), SHE BLEEDS GREEN is both a love letter to low budget creature features and those who love them.

Director Sophie Godin Quotes:
“SHE BLEEDS GREEN is my most personal work so far. It’s equal parts old fashioned monster movie and a not so subtle analogue for my own experiences with identity.”

“It’s been such a satisfying journey to make this movie. I set out to tell a very personal story through the lens of a slimy creature feature that stays true to its low budget influences. I think it will really speak to people who grew up connecting with monsters and finding comfort and catharsis with horror. I was so lucky to have this great cast and crew and an amazing co-producer in Jason Manella to collaborate with.”

She Bleeds Green will be unspooling on the film festival run then streaming.

First teaser trailer for Giuliano Tomassacci’s contemporary fantasy/survival starring Giulia Pizzi, Fabio Gagliardi, Kate Bash and Gabriela Iliescu has just been released.
Trust the tunes. Secure the passages. Keep the secret. Live in her because she lives in us.

A shy young farmer, a solitary scholar of ancient music, and a celebrated iconoclastic concert conductor. Three unlikely guardians, devoted to watch over an ancient secret. A ritual to be preserved and kept safe, far from the perils of the modern world. An unforeseen misfortune triggers a painful ordeal, compelling each of them to make a personal sacrifice to ensure that one being remains protected once again.

Completely shot in Italy’s Lazio, featuring folkloristic locations at the archeological park of Città del Tufo, including the sites of Vitozza and the Orsini Fortress in Sorano, Cantamen is the story of Kantika (Giulia Pizzi) a young and solitary farmer, keeper of a secret to preserve. But when she’s inexplicably caged in a surreal nightmare, it’s up to Marius (Fabio Gagliardi) and Musikha (Gabriela Iliescu) to embark on a mission in a race against time to save not only her but also an ancient soul named Animunhi (Kate Bash). At any cost.

Blending contemporary fantasy and survival horror, Cantamen is written, produced and directed by Giuliano Tomassacci, (Three Mirrors Creature’s Flashes of Flesh, LaBouche Canalla Wins her Snack) and stars Giulia Pizzi, Fabio Gagliardi, Kate Bash and Gabriela Iliescu, featuring original music by Samantha Bird, production design by Cristiana Fasano, costume design by Silvia Burla, special makeup effects by Noemi Gorgone, sound design by Tommaso Miclet, English adaptation by Luca Persiani, horse wrangling and stunt works by Andrea Billo’ and illustrations by Slavomir Lalik and Marco La Gamma. Tomassacci produced through his Split-Vision Development film factory, with the partnership of Liveup and the collaboration of Cavalieri di Pratolungo, Comune di Sorano, Accademia Ergo Cantemus, and I Custodi delle Vie Cave.

Witness the Theatrical Roadshow Trailer for Chris LaMartina’s SPIRIT TASTING

The theatrical raodshow trailer for Chris LaMartina’s hotly-anticipated new thriller, SPIRIT TASTING, is now available for you to view and share via your media outlet! Don’t miss out on this charming new indie from the creator of WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL, World Premiering this Thursday, November 12th, at Baltimore’s historic Senator Theatre!

A post-punk riff on The Monkey’s Paw, SPIRIT TASTING follows three former punks (Sean Doherty, Melissa LaMartina, and Trevor Wilhelms) as they toast their late bandmate at a distillery on New Year’s Eve.

When a strange sommelier (Matt Lake) invites them to a top-shelf tasting, they discover there’s only one catch: Every bottle requires a “wish.”

But as each of their desires twist into doom, these old friends discover that every pour at the Red Bat Distillery comes at a deadly price.

Director Chris LaMartina recently appeared on The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs to screen his modern seasonal classic WNUF Halloween Special, and first noted there that his new film would be out before the end of the year. The film was formally announced at Variety three days later.

Celebrating its seasonal setting, SPIRIT TASTING will screen as a roadshow across America, with the filmmaker and select cast appearing at all screenings for introductions and Q&A’s. Coinciding with the tour, the film will pour onto Blu-Ray with top-shelf bonus features, including a feature-length making-of documentary.

Directed and edited by Chris LaMartina with a script by LaMartina and Michael Varrati, SPIRIT TASTING stars Sean Doherty, Matt Lake, Melissa LaMartina, Trevor Wilhelms, Matt Baughman, Cate Paris, and Tatiana Nya Ford with cameos from Grady Hendrix, Clay McLeod Chapman, Peaches Christ, and Henry Zebrowski. It is produced by Melissa LaMartina, Chris LaMartina, Michael Varrati, and Ted Geoghegan, and Executive Produced by Ryan Graveface.

SPIRIT TASTING’s roadshow dates + locations are as follows:

Thursday, November 12th – Baltimore, MD (The Senator Theatre)
Friday, November 20th – Chicago, IL (The Music Box)
Saturday, November 21st – Minneapolis, MN (The Heights)
Saturday, December 5th – Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz 3)
Saturday, December 26th – Philadelphia, PA (PhilaMOCA)
Sunday, December 27th – Red Bank, NJ (Base Center Cinema)
Monday, December 28th – Brooklyn, NY (The Twisted Spine)
Tuesday, December 29th – Seymour, CT (Strand Theater)
Wednesday, December 30th – Providence, RI (AS220)
Thursday, December 31st – Salem, MA (Cinema Salem)
Friday, January 1st – Catskill, NY (Community Theater)
Saturday, January 2nd – Wind Gap, PA (The Gap Theatre)
Saturday, January 16th – Ashburn, VA (Alamo Drafthouse One Loudoun)
Sunday, January 17th – Harrisburg, PA (Midtown Cinemas)

Directed by Paolo Strippoli
(A Classic Horror Story, the upcoming The Spiral)

Starring Michele Riondino and Giulio Feltri
Written by Paolo Strippoli, Jacopo Del Giudice, Milo Tissone

Streaming on Shudder Starting Friday, November 27th

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

Friday, November 20th at 9pm
NEW YORK – Soho House and Ludlow House
LOS ANGELES – Soho House West Hollywood
CHICAGO – Soho House

Sunday, November 22nd at 7pm
NEW YORK – The Twisted Spine (Brooklyn)

Monday, November 23rd at 9pm
AUSTIN – Soho House
NASHVILLE – Soho House

Synopsis
Sergio (Michele Riondino), a teacher tormented by his past is transferred to Remis, a secluded village known as the happiest town in Italy. But Sergio soon discovers that behind the town’s joyful facade lies a disturbing secret: Each week, the villagers gather to hug Matteo (Giulio Feltri), an introverted fifteen-year-old whose embrace can free one of all pain and sorrow. As Sergio uncovers that the village’s devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community’s vengeful nature.

Director: Paolo Strippoli
Writer: Paolo Strippoli, Jacopo Del Giudice, Milo Tissone
Cast: Michele Riondino, Giulio Feltri, Paolo Pierobon, Romana Maggiora Vergano Sergio Romano, Anna Bellato, Sandra Toffolatti, Roberto Citran
Producers: Domenico Procacci, Laura Paolucci, Ines Vasilevic, Stefano Sardo. Executive Producers: Ivan Fiorini, Attilio Moro
Co-Producers: Jožko Rutar, Miha Černec
Cinematographer: Cristiano Di Nicola
Editor: Federico Palmerini
Music: Federico Bisozzi, Davide Tomat
anguage: Italian
Run time: 125 min

Manifest Pictures has boarded international sales ahead of the American Film Market on the horror pic BOUTIQUE, produced by and starring two-time Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (The Debut, The Holdovers) with BAFTA award winner Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible and Star Trek feature franchises) set to co-star opposite Giamatti. The announcement was made today by Manifest Pictures’ co-CEOs Yvette Zhuang and Zach Glueck. UTA Independent Film Group will rep domestic rights.

Giamatti and Dan Carey will produce through their company Touchy Feely Films (“Outsiders”), alongside Chris Dodds, Charlie Alderman, and Greg Field for Prospect (Fantasy Life), and James Harris and Mark Lane for Tea Shop Productions, the production company behind the recent breakout horror hit Obsession, which grossed more than $500 million worldwide. Prospect is financing, and Jacob Jaffke (Maxxxine) serves as executive producer.

Boutique marks writer-director Jim Gavin’s feature debut, reuniting him with Touchy Feely, producers of the AMC quirky comedy-drama series “Lodge 49,” which Gavin created and show ran.

The film follows an American tourist (Giamatti) who travels to the eerie English seaside town that inspired the work of his favorite reclusive author (Pegg), only to become entangled with a murderous secret society permeating the whole town.

“Cults have long fascinated us, and BOUTIQUE taps into that intrigue with a wickedly original exploration of the pull these secretive societies have always had on our imaginations,” said Manifest.

“Jim has delivered something distinctly fresh while capturing the thrills of classics from Psycho to Hereditary,” James Harris from Tea Shop added.

“BOUTIQUE is dark, hysterical, and utterly twisted. We are honored to help realize Jim Gavin’s gothic fever dream,” Prospect commented.

“We feel lucky to work with Jim again at this moment in his career. He came to us fully formed as a storyteller, with a natural talent for shaping actors’ performances and building unique worlds on screen. As producers on Lodge 49, Paul and I witnessed Jim’s deft hand managing large teams, significant budgets and all the machinery required to bring an ambitious, original piece of work to life,” said Dan Carey.

Giamatti won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award and was nominated for the SAG, BAFTA and Academy Award for Best Actor for Focus Features’ The Holdovers. He currently stars opposite Julianne Moore in Jesse Eisenberg’s dark comedy musical The Debut. Giamatti will next be seen in two-time Oscar-winner Tom McCarthy’s upcoming comedy-drama, A Statement.

BAFTA winner Simon Pegg is best known for his recurring roles as Benji Dunn in the Mission: Impossible series of films and Scotty in three Star Trek feature films, as well headlining and co-creating the iconic Cornetto Trilogy of British comedies. Pegg will next feature in Season 3 of Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” as the voice of the Balrog.

Giamatti is repped by UTA, Kipperman Management and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Pegg is repped by Dawn Sedgwick Management; Gavin is repped by UTA and Anonymous Content.

Blumhouse Atomic, the home of horror, has entered a first look deal with Tiny Onion, the production house of James Tynion IV, to develop his intellectual property across film, television and animation. Additionally, Blumhouse Atomic will join Tiny Onion and Lyrical Media in the development of serial killer battle royale comic book universe Exquisite Corpses, a best-selling, award-winning series co-created by Tynion and artist Michael Walsh across both film and animation. Exquisite Corpses has sold over one million copies in its first eighteen months of publication by Image Comics. Blumhouse Atomic has previously announced it is developing Tynion’s bestselling Something Is Killing The Children as a live-action film and adult animated series.

“James has been a valued partner on Something Is Killing The Children, which is why we wanted to expand our relationship. He has great storytelling instincts with a passion for the horror genre,” said Jason Blum, CEO and Co-Founder, Blumhouse Atomic. “As we look to develop more IP, this felt like a great fit, and we’re happy to take the next step with him and Tiny Onion.”

“From the moment I first stepped into the Blumhouse offices, it felt like coming home, ” said James Tynion IV. “Every person in that building, and every filmmaker on their roster is dedicated to making great horror, and I’m thrilled to stand by their side and help bring these terrifying stories to life.”

Tynion, whose bestselling, award-winning horror comics Something Is Killing The Children, Exquisite Corpses, The Department of Truth, and The Nice House on the Lake have sold millions of copies worldwide, announced the creation of his independent production house Tiny Onion in early 2024, with an investment from Lyrical Media. Tiny Onion develops new intellectual property, releasing graphic novels and comics through publishing partners like Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and Penguin Random House, while directly overseeing their adaptations across multimedia. Tiny Onion and Lyrical Media announced the feature adaptation of Exquisite Corpses, in addition to the development of a feature based on Tynion’s short film and one-shot comic, Room Service, in January.

Something is Killing the Children is in active development as a feature film with director Craig Zobel (Mare of Easttown, The Hunt), and will enter production next year. Blumhouse is developing the franchise both as a live-action film and an adult animated television series, with Tynion spearheading the latter. Stephen Christy and James Tynion IV will produce the film for BOOM! Studios and Penguin Random House, alongside Jason Blum for Blumhouse. Jon Watts, Shaun S. Sutton, Ryan Turek, Adam Yoelin and Mette Norkjaer will executive produce. Series co-creator and artist Werther Dell’Edera will co-produce.

Tynion is represented by United Talent Agency, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and TroyGould.

Director – Kacie Marie (The Flying Cowboy Rides Again, Who’s Sorry Now)
Starring – Adam Ahlbrandt (Hunters, Catch of the Day), Kacie Marie, and Emmett O’Connor (Who’s Sorry Now, The Flying Cowboy Rides Again)
Release Date – 2026
Rating – 3/5

I’ve been on Instagram for sometime now and I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of cool and talented people during my time there. Many years ago I started following filmmaker, musician, and model Kacie Marie when I found a random horror post from her.

She has shared some seriously fun genre pictures since then and I know she is a huge fan of horror which is why I was not surprised at all when she reached out to me to review her horror short. Someone as creative and passionate about the genre was bound to make a film eventually and I’m glad she allowed myself and Horror Society the opportunity to check out her short Rapture in Blue. I’d like to take a moment to thank Kacie for sending this one over.

As you may have noticed, I skipped the synopsis portion of this one because it would be damn near impossible for me to describe. The short is truly an experimental film with some stunning visuals without a coherent story to be found. At least, if you are as stupid as I am. I did enjoy it but if it was much longer then I would have struggled to finish it.

The film has an extremely small cast and traditional acting is not really seen here. We have some narration from underground director and actor Adam Ahlbrandt and Emmett O’Connor with the film’s director Kacie Marie serving as the film’s visual representation. The film’s soundtrack is also from Marie as well showing just how creative she truly is.

The story for this one is not one you can follow in a traditional sense. However, the film uses beautiful imagery, lighting, and set design to pull the viewer it. I’m sure there is something else to be said here but I’m just not intelligent enough to see it.

Finally, the film has a little blood as we near the short’s conclusion but rabid gorehounds will be very disappointed at the film’s lack of memorable deaths. Overall, Rapture in Blue was a beautifully shot short that surprisingly held my attention. While it may not be something that I can rewatch over and over without getting tired of it, I still enjoyed it for what it is. I highly recommend it.

Finnish horror director Keke Soikkeli delivers a brutal Christmas nightmare with DARK CHRISTMAS (Musta Joulu), arriving in Finnish theaters in December 2026.

Directed by Keke Soikkeli, DARK CHRISTMAS turns the holiday season into a blood-soaked nightmare, combining classic slasher elements with a contemporary satirical take on social media culture, influencer obsession, and the relentless pursuit of online attention.

The film has already secured two international festival selections, having been selected for Rojo Sangre International Fantastic Film Festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Obscura Film Festival in Berlin, Germany. The official trailer has just been released online, offering audiences their first look at the film’s twisted Christmas festivities and brutal holiday mayhem.

Set during an exclusive Christmas influencer gala at a secluded manor, the story follows Katariina, a rising social media personality who finally gets her chance to enter the glamorous world she has always dreamed of. But when the event’s scheduled Santa Claus cancels at the last minute, an unexpected replacement is brought in. Publicly humiliated and turned into viral entertainment by the party’s influencers, the mysterious man in red soon transforms his embarrassment into a murderous rampage.

As guests begin disappearing one by one, the manor becomes a claustrophobic killing ground. Armed with a twisted sense of Christmas justice, Santa delivers a series of gruesome gifts to those who mocked him. Trapped inside, Katariina must fight for her life while confronting the ghosts of her own past. Even as the body count rises, the influencers cannot seem to put their phones down—even in their final moments.

With its dark humor, relentless violence, and timely satirical angle, DARK CHRISTMAS offers a fresh twist on the Christmas horror subgenre, blending traditional slasher thrills with the disturbing excesses of today’s influencer culture.

The film will receive its theatrical release in Finland in December 2026. EuroObscura, the international sales agency specializing in horror and genre cinema, is bringing DARK CHRISTMAS to the American Film Market (AFM) next week.