Looking for a monster movie to get you through to October, (okay really Sept. 1) then check out this trailer for MONSTER ISLAND.
Based on Malay Folklore and drawing inspiration from Creature From the Black Lagoon, this creature feature is set in World War II. A Japanese ship transporting prisoners of war to occupied territories for slave labor. After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British POW are stranded on a deserted island and soon discover that they’re being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan. Both the soldier and POW realize that they must work together to survive the unknown, despite their differences. Starring Dean Fukjioka (Fullmetal Alchemist) and CallumWoodhouse (All Creatures Great & Small).
In their Overlook Film Festival 2025 review, Dread Central said “Fans of hand-to-hand combat, war movies, and creature features are in for a pleasant surprise.”
The classic 1954 film is a must-see and this is an exciting nod to the original CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. Definitely stream it during these hot days of Summer. (trailer)
See MONSTER ISLAND Island on Shudder July 25.
Monster Island – Photo Credit: ShudderMonster Island – Photo Credit: Shudder
Last week, the big Summer cinema season kicked off with another trip to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with another Impossible Mission and a Disney remake debuting in just a few weeks. So, does that mean that horror fanatics (AKA “gore-hounds”) will have to wait for the cooler temps for their “fright fix”? Well, ROSARIO gave up some scares last week, and that late April “sleeper smash” SINNERS is still dishing up some plasma with its blues soundtrack. So, why not a new chiller featuring the “go-to” thriller icons of the last couple of decades? No, we’re not talking about more vampires, werewolves, or zombies, but less supernatural creeps. Yes, it’s those brightly garbed, painted-on-smiles, former kids entertainers, that are now nightmare “fodder” after several “Jokers” and Pennywise of the IT flicks. And how about seeing their oversized feet tromping about the usually tranquil heartland? Who wouldn’t dash back into the barn after spotting a CLOWN IN THE CORNFIELD? Maybe they can squirt some seltzer on those dry crops.
It all begins with a flashback to 1991 when the “title terror” struck at a wild teen party (think an “ocean-free” JAWS opener). Flash forward to modern-day Kettle Springs, MO, and the arrival of the new town MD, widower Dr. Glenn Maybrook ( Aaron Abrams), and his sixteen-year-old daughter Quinn (Katie Douglas). She’s pretty bummed about being “stuck in the middle of nowhere”, but her papa thinks that they need a “fresh start” after losing Mom. Plus, their new house is a “fixer upper” that needs wifi (Quinn’s #1 priority). The next morning, she’s about to leave for school when the spooky stoic “down-the-road” neighbor Rust (Vincent Muller) shows up at their door to walk with her. Quinn’s late for her first class and gets detention along with a rowdy group thought to be behind a prank on testy teacher Mr. Vern (Bradley Swatsky). She bonds with the quintet who invite her to join them that night at the old burned-out Baypen Corn Syrup factory, where they make viral videos about the company’s creepy old mascot, Frendo the Clown. Quinn likes them all, but feels a romantic connection with the dreamy, rebel Cole (Carson MacCormac), who happens to be the son of the town’s Mayor Hill (Kevin Durant). Excitement is in the air since the big Founders’ Day Festival is days away. Ah, but gruesome murder is also in the ether, as the “real” Frendo begins killing some local teens. Everything builds up to the big post-parade moonlight teen party at the old factory as Quinn and her new friends, and possible BF Cole, must try to survive a near-endless night of “clown carnage and chaos”.
As with many classic horror flicks of the last fifty years, the story’s main character is (perhaps a cliche now), the final girl, as in Laurie Strode in HALLOWEEN. Here, it’s Katie Douglas as Quinn, who is a bit of a mix of nice and slightly naughty. Ms. Douglas generates great empathy as the little town’s “new kid” while offering up big doses of snark and sarcasm, while still never losing an endearing charm. And she has good chemistry with MacCormac as Cole, who is the resident “dream guy” who also appears to be hiding a few dark secrets as he begins putting the “moves” on Quinn. The rest of the “teen pack” are comprised of young “camera-ready” actors who could fit in on a 2010 CW TV show (they’re going to reality now), though Verity Marks shines as the surprisingly “meta’ sidekick to the blonde “queen bee” (being the tanned bruinette she states, when the blood flies, “You just know I’ll be next!”) along with Muller as the off-kilter awkward Rust. As for the adults, Abrams is the warm, sometimes stern but always sympathetic “daddy doc”, who tries to give his spirited teen a “limited freedom”. Plus he’s a dream compared to the town’s surly other elders, best represented by comic actor Will Sasso as the growling chief of police who’s quick to point his pistol at theose “brats”. Much can be said of Durant, who almost breaks into the old “bye Bye Birdie” standard tune “Kids!” while bemoaning the next “gen”. Perhaps he could make that song a “duet” with Sawatsky’s twitchy, always esasperated Mr. Vern.
This often familiar terror tale is directed confidently by thriller veteran Eli Craig, who brings a fun vibe to the ghoulish mayhem, though he never hits the heights of his earlier genre-flipping classic TUCKER AND DALE VS EVIL (hmm, one of the teens is named Tucker here…). Craig conveys the small town “dread” as Quinn is suddenly out of her urban ‘comfort zone” in the creepy quiet of the midwestern “corn country”. And the “kills’ action secquences have lots of energy and creative stunt work paired with several gruesome “practical effects”, though the CGI plasma erupts into our laps. Unfortunately, the tone wears thin as the final act (the big “death derby”) commences as the screenplay wants to have it both ways, existing as a campy thriller satire while trying to send tingles up our spines and work as a legit terror tale. The idea of a corporate “mascot” becoming a nightmarish butcher is a neat twist, but the SCREAM films have had more success at mixing humor and horror (though they often stumble). And, as is often with these films, the finale lurches along with multiple endings while the big master plan of Frendo feels devoid of logic and “future-thought”. Much like SNAKES ON A PLANE, this title promises more fun than is on screen (I wonder if the source novel delivered more), but fright fans may “reap” some rewards from that spooky and often silly CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD.
2 Out of 4
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD opens in theatres on Friday, May 9, 2025
Its that spooky time of year and Shudder is here with the return of the VHS franchise, V/H/S/BEYOND, the seventh installment featuring six new bloodcurdling tapes, placing horror at the forefront of a sci-fi-inspired hellscape.
Directed by Jay Cheel, Jordan Downey, Christian Long & Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal, Kate Siegel, the film airs Friday, October 4.
The movie is sitting at 90% over on Rotten Tomatoes and had its world premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest. In their coverage, Fangoria said the segments, “knocked it out of the park on this one.”
V/H/S/BEYOND – STORK Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release.
Some of Shudder’s notable 2024 releases include Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s THE DEVIL’S BATH, Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Sébastien Vaniček’s INFESTED, Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Damian McCarthy’s ODDITY, and Robert Morgan’s STOPMOTION.
This Movie Geek subscribes to the streaming service and as a horror fan, I can tell you it’s well worth it!
Being an avid fan of “old school” horror (almost a “monster kid” since I devoured “Famous Monsters of Filmland” magazine, built the Aurora model kits, and scooped up the Super 8 Castle Films abridged versions of the 30s ad 40s Universal classics), I try to keep an open mind to the newer films, even the “sub-genres”. One of those is the “found footage” chiller that probably established itself with its biggest hit THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. It opened the floodgates for jittery, shakey phony home video slightly “tweaked” via software trickery. The multiplexes are so bombarded that I almost dread a new one. Oh, but an Aussie filmmaking duo has come up with a new “twist’ that keys right into another bit of nostalgia: classic TV not from the “golden age’ of the 50s, but the often “schlocky” stuff of the 70s. Plus it’s not from daytime or prime time (8 to 11 PM EST). I mean what kid 47 years ago wouldn’t try to sneak downstairs to the massive 19-inch console TV, sit close to the screen so you can keep the volume low (and not wake up the parents), and gaze at the “forbidden fruit” of LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL? Oh, the night school day is going to be rough…
The big “conceit” is the existence of a talk show host who tried to topple the “king of late night” Johnny Carson and his “Tonight Show” on NBC. In the opening prologue, we learn of a seedy “upstart” syndicated network, UBC, and their “jewel”, the live show “Night Owls with Jack Delroy”. Its host (David Dastmalchian) is a slightly awkward Chicago DJ who’s now the headliner in the network’s NYC hub. Naturally, there’s a band and a dweeby stooge/sidekick, Gus McConnell (Rhys Auteri). It hit the airwaves in 1971, and soon…made no headway at all against Johnny. Jack’s constantly on the verge of cancellation, despite the influence of his membership in a private secretive millionaire’s club “The Grove”, until he interviews his wife, Madeleine (Georgina Haig), who is in a losing battle with breast cancer. After she succumbs, Jack leaves his show… temporarily. When he returns Jack decides to set the show apart from the landscape of late night by tackling controversial, often exploitive topics and courting confrontation (telling several guests to “hit the bricks”). This all sets the stage for the unaired Halloween show of 1977. After a twitchy monologue Jack brings out a “speaker for the deceased” Christou (Fayssal Bazzi) whose segment takes a truly dark turn when he’s rushed away to a hospital. Perhaps his exit was spurred on by a heated exchange with magician and paranormal debunker Carmichael Haig (Ian Bliss). But this is nothing compared to the night’s “big get” as Jack brings on scholar/author June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon) and the subject of her book “Conversations with the Devil”, teenager Lilly D’Abo (Ingrid Torelli), the only surviving member of the Abraxas satanic cult. Actually, a demon they worshipped, Lilly calls him “Mr. Wriggles”, can speak through her. Soon the show goes completely “off the rails” when Jack pressures June to set up a “session” with Lilly and Mr. W, mostly to humiliate Haig. From then, the Neilsen Ratings are the very least of Jack’s troubles…
One of the busiest character actors, bouncing in and out of several franchises and genres (he’s in the MCU, the DCEU, Dune, the recent Dracula spin-off, even OPPENHEIMER), Dastmalchian truly gets a chance to shine in the lead role as the in-over-his-head Delroy, employing his comic “chops” in the TV monologue sets before settling into weasily desperation and the dread of his plunge into televised Hell. Perhaps Jack was most comfortable riffing into a radio mike since Dastmalchain conveys a near-constant “flop-sweat” making it clear that this guy would never dethrone Carson. He’s certainly not helped by Atueri as the cringyly awkward “second banana” who is easily rattled and demeaned. One of his main bullies is the producer of the show, Jack’s manager and “right hand” Leo Fiske (Josh Quong Tart) an arrogant, unethical opportunist. Much of that is true for Bliss as Haig, a pompous gasbag who fancies himself as a modern Houdini, though he’s playing his own “con” while flaunting his righteous superiority. Gordon is quite good as the morally conflicted doctor who truly cares for her patient despite the blatant exploitation of her trauma. And as that patient, Lily, Torelli effortlessly goes from a sweet helpful young woman to a taunting harpy who could be the conduit for fiery chaos.
Oh, the Aussie duo I mentioned earlier are the Cairnes Brothers, Colin and Cameron, the film’s writing and directing “tag team”. They truly score a “hat trick” with their third feature as they tread a fine line between satire and terror. Working with their artisans they carefully recreated the tacky period from the polyester suits (and massive neckties) to the TV set furnishings complete with multi-color graphic backdrop walls, and even the “stay tuned, we’ll be right back” art card “bumpers” (supposedly made with AI). Once we settle in and stifle our nostalgic giggles, the story shifts gears into nightmare territory as we become invested in the often caricatured “guests”. There’s even a nice nod to horror flicks of that era with the use of practical effects involving puppetry, prosthetics, and mood lighting (when they go to “commercial” the backstage footage is in docu-style handheld monochrome). Sure, we’re kind of stuck in the studio, but it never feels claustrophobic or “stage” as the feeling of dread increases By the final denouncements, we’re left to ponder the fate of the principals and how or who put everything “into motion”. It all makes for a most interesting exploration of TV talk show terror in the imaginative and audacious LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL.
3 Out of 4
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL is now playing in select theatres.
The first trailer has dropped for the documentary DARIO ARGENTO PANICO, set to stream on Shudder Feb. 2nd.
In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest script and participate in an intimate interview, all while being followed by a film crew documenting his life for a movie about his illustrious career.
From director Simone Scafidi, check out the filmmaker’s exploration of the Giallo Horror Maestro.
To commemorate the release of Dario Argento Panico, Shudder and the IFC Center will present “PANIC ATTACK: THE FILMS OF DARIO ARGENTO,” a series of films celebrating the works of the Giallo horror maestro, revealing his profound impact on horror and his lasting influence on cinema.
Yes, it’s getting darker a bit earlier and the temps are finally (whew) easing up and cooling off. So many folks are thinking of Fall, and aside from sweaters and pumpkin spice everything, Halloween is on their minds (and in the aisles of several retail chains). And we’re ready for some good scary flicks, and not family-friendly fare like the failed reboot of HAUNTED MANSION. Now we’ve already hit the high seas with Dracula, maybe we could get a modern twist on the classic monster folklore. Is the setting for this flick another rotting ship or a decaying estate or castle? Nope, it’s a locale even more frightening, high school (Carrie White and Buffy Summers would heartily agree). And the villain? For this gory lil’ indie, it’s not clear exactly who or what is the actual PERPETRATOR.
Could it be nearly eighteen-year-old Jonny (Kiah McKirnan)? After all, she’s committing a bit of B&E (breaking and entering) when we first meet her on the dark, cold streets of Chicago. After a trek to the van of her “fence” to sell the “merch” and build up the bucks for a getaway, she’s back in the squalid basement apartment (perhaps they’re “squatters) she shares with her nervous dad. He’s noticed that her weird nosebleeds have become more frequent. And due to his own “plasma issues”, he decides that she needs to travel across town to live with his sister, her aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone). Jonny feels an unsettling “vibe” from her as she enters the dark, gothic brownstone. But there’s little time for a reunion as Jonny must get her attire ready as she enrolls in a fancy nearby prep school. Of course, that place is another level of creepy. The manic Principal Burke (Christoper Lowell) delights in staging “massacre drills”. The school nurse’s face is nearly covered with various bandages. And it seems that there’s a new missing female student every other day, as the bulletin board is filled with “Have You Seen…” flyers. This leads to more strange dreams for Jonny complete with eerie blood imagery. Over the next few days, she befriends several of the other young woman and eventually they zero in on a possible suspect in the disappearances. Jonny offers herself as “bait”, but will her bizarre blood behaviors and quirks lead to a capture or another flyer with her face?
Though the role referred to in the title is unclear, the story is carried by the compelling Ms. McKirnan. She’s up for the demands of Jonny, whether being tough (standing up to loads of jerks) or vulnerable, as she begins to open up with a classmate. Through the sneer and eyeliner, McKirnan lets us see the confusion in Jonny’s eyes as she tries to deal with the changes in her mind and body (this is puberty from Hell). She makes us eager to join her on Jonny’s journey. A bonus is her unique “hair accents” since her ‘do changes radically with each new scene. Oh, and her work with Silverstone really “crackles”. The iconic CLUELESS star delivers a quirky, mannered performance as the haughty, aristocratic Hildie (channeling a bit of Dame Judith Anderson from REBECCA or Gale Sondergard is loads of “B” flicks). On the opposite end of the intensity spectrum, there’s Lowell who takes the energy level past 11 as the nutty, frantic overlord of the school (he’s so happy during the “drills”). Kudos also to Melanie Libard as a mystery woman from Jonny’s past.
Certainly, there’s a lot going on in writer/director Jennifer Reeder’s newest fear flick (she’s bounced between indie shockers and shorts). The story moves along well despite several absurd plot conventions (a “grab” in front of the house). Many ideas are in play, but feel like scenes from several different stories, very different in tone. Is it a “coming of age” horror allegory (much like the recent BONES AND ALL)? Is it a variation of the “teen girls in peril” ala SPLIT? Or perhaps a riff on the 80s teen comedies with the cool but not that popular kids versus the uptight adults in charge. Thrown in is also a same-sex romance that feels hastily tossed in and forgotten. We even get a spin on inherited “mutations” though it may also be mystical powers (her blood is very…busy). The mystery elements aren’t too difficult to solve despite the full-head rubber mask and muffled speech of the “grabber”. And the humor falls fairly flat (really, a whole auditorium chanting the same obscenity). The Windy City locales add to the smothering gloom, much like Hildie’s “crib” and the school. We get an attempt to “tie up” and explain things in the last moments, but the denouncement feels hurried. The attempt to create a new “spin” on horror mythology is admirable, but the finished film is much less than the sum of its scenes and visuals for this PERPETRATOR.
2 Out of 4
PERPETRATOR opens in select theatres and screens exclusively on Shudder beginning on Friday, September 1, 2023
The terrifying found footage franchise V/H/S returns to Shudder on October 6 with V/H/S/85.
Directors include David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, Mike Nelson.
An ominous mixtape blends never before seen snuff footage with nightmarish newscasts and disturbing home video to create a surreal, analog mashup of the forgotten 80s.
New Shudder Films Premiere Every Friday, including:
Perpetrator – Premieres Friday, September 1 (Shudder Original)
Jonny Baptiste is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie. On the event of her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator. Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder (Knives and Skin, Night’s End) and starring Kiah McKirnan (Mare of Easttown), Christopher Lowell (My Best Friend’s Exorcism), Melanie Liburd (The Idol), Ireon Roach (Candyman [2021]), and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Killing of a Sacred Deer).
Blood Flower – Premieres Friday, September 8 (Shudder Original)
A young apprentice healer tries to suppress his supernatural abilities so he can fit in with the other kids, but when a malicious spirit breaks out in his apartment, he decides to use his abilities while dark family secrets are revealed. Starring Idan Aedan, Eriza Allya and Amanda Ang.
Elevator Game – Premieres Friday, September 15 (Shudder Premiere)
Follows socially awkward teenager Ryan, who discovers that the night his sister disappeared she had played ‘The Elevator Game’ — a ritual conducted in an elevator, in which players attempt to travel to another dimension using a set of rules that can be found online. Ignoring warnings, he resolves to follow and find her. Directed by Rebekah McKendry (Glorious) and starring Gino Anania (Skymed), Alec Carlos (Orphan: First Kill), Megan Best (Séance), Nazariy Demkowicz (Dark Harvest), Verity Marks (Toys of Terror), Madison MacIsaac and Samantha Halas.
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster – Premieres Friday, September 22 (Shudder and ALLBLK Premiere)
Vicaria (Layla DeLeon Hayes, The Equalizer) is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal and sudden murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the dramatic thriller thematically challenges ideas of life and death following a family that, despite the terrors of systemic pressure, will survive and be reborn together again. Also starring Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther) and Chad L. Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Orville).
Nightmare – Premieres Friday, September 29 (Shudder Original)
Mona and Robby are a young couple in love. Robby has just landed his dream job, and they’ve scored an amazing deal on a spacious, if run-down, flat. Never mind that it requires quite a bit of renovation. Never mind the neighbors’ constant fighting, and screaming baby… Never mind that Mona is suddenly plagued by night terrors which grow more intense every time she falls asleep… Robby is eager to start a family, despite Mona’s hesitation. Eventually, Mona’s issues spiral dangerously out of control as she becomes convinced that she is being attacked by a mythical demon – the Mare – intent on possessing her unborn child.
Shudder’s annual “Halfway to Halloween” celebration, marking the halfway point to horror’s favorite holiday, features a killer lineup of original films and series this month. The premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural will debut a new season of the popular horror anthology Slasher: Ripper, starring Eric McCormack, a new season of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, a The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween Special, the Shudder Original film From Black, starring Anna Camp, the streaming debut of Kids vs. Aliens and new additions to Shudder’s library of the best in horror.
Shudder Original films, series and library highlights are detailed below in premiere order:
Slasher: Ripper
Two-Episode Season Premiere Thursday, April 6
Slasher: Ripper takes the Slasher franchise back in time to the late 19th century and stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as Basil Garvey, a charismatic tycoon whose success is only rivaled by his ruthlessness, as he oversees a city on the cusp of a new century, and a social upheaval that will see its streets run red with blood. There’s a killer stalking the mean streets, but instead of targeting the poor and downtrodden like Jack the Ripper, The Widow is meting out justice against the rich and powerful. The only person standing in the way of this killer is the newly promoted detective, Kenneth Rijkers, whose ironclad belief in justice may wind up being yet another victim of The Widow.
Kids vs. Aliens
Courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder. A Shudder release.
New Film Premieres Friday, April 14
An all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing two warring siblings to band together to survive the night in this spin-off from the popular V/H/S franchise. Starring Dominic Mariche (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), Phoebe Rex (The Last Divide), and Calem MacDonald (The Umbrella Academy).
The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs Season 5A
New Season Premieres on Shudder TV and AMC+ Every Friday at 9pm ET beginning April 21
On The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, Joe Bob Briggs hosts eclectic horror movie double features, expounding upon their merits, histories and significance to genre cinema. Join Joe Bob, Darcy the Mail Girl, and the rest of The Last Drive-In crew as they ring in an all-new fifth season, which will broadcast on Shudder TV and AMC+ every Friday at 9pm ET beginning April 21, with episodes later available on demand every Sunday beginning April 23. For the first time ever, the season will be split into two parts, with the first five episodes kicking off in April and the final half returning in June, bringing the community-driven horror-viewing experience to the summer. The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs is produced by Matt Manjourides and Justin Martell and directed by Austin Jennings.
Boulet Brothers in Dragula: Halfway to Halloween. Photo Credit: Scotty Kirby/Shudder
The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special
New Special Premieres Tuesday, April 25
Hosted by modern day horror hosts and “queens of darkness” The Boulet Brothers, The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special will be a mid-year variety show celebrating the “Halfway to Halloween” season for fans who just can’t wait until October 31 to get a good dose of the dark side. Calling to mind the era of classic retro holiday variety shows, the program will be hosted from The Boulet’s haunter manor set and will feature scripted skits, musical performances, and guest appearances from an impressive lineup of stars including David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad) who co-produced the special, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Tusk), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Taran Killam (SNL), Matthew Lillard (Scream film series), Jorge Garcia (Lost), Steve Agee (Peacemaker), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, Chopping Mall), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Katya (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Derek Mears (Friday the 13th, Swamp Thing), Satanic doo wop band Twin Temple, and Kendra Onixx, Koco Caine & Melissa Befierce (The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula). Additional guests to be announced.
From Black
New Film Premieres Friday, April 28
A young mother, crushed by guilt after the disappearance of her young son 5 years previously, is presented with a bizarre offer to learn the truth and set things right. But how far is she willing to go, and is she willing to pay the terrifying price for a chance to hold her boy again? Starring Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Jennifer Lafleur (Nope) and John Ales (Euphoria). Directed by Thomas Marchese who also serves as writer with Jessub Flower.
New library films this month include Slumber Party Massacre (1982), Magic (1978), Don’t Panic (1989), Bog (1984), Final Exam (1981) and Primal Rage (1988), along with currently available classics Halloween (1978), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Night of the Living Dead (1968), Hellraiser (1987), and many more.
Shudder has released the new festival poster and first-look clip from Jennifer Reeder’s upcoming horror-noir PERPETRATOR, set to world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival Friday, February 17. The Shudder Original Film stars Kiah McKirnan (Mare of Easttown), Christopher Lowell (MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN), Melanie Liburd (The Idol), Ireon Roach (CANDYMAN [2021]), and Alicia Silverstone (CLUELESS, KILLING OF A SACRED DEER) and is produced by Gregory Chambet for WTFilms and Derek Bishé for Divide/Conquer.
Written and directed by Reeder, PERPETRATOR follows Jonny (McKirnan), a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie (Silverstone). On her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator.
PERPETRATOR is Reeder’s second feature to screen at Berlinale following the 2019 break-out hit KNIVES AND SKIN, which IFC Midnight released theatrically, and marks her third collaboration with Shudder, preceded by NIGHT’S END (2022), featuring Michael Shannon, and the critically acclaimed anthology entry V/H/S/94 (2021), which revived the widely popular found-footage horror franchise. Reeder was named one of Bong Joon Ho’s 20 upcoming directors for the 2020s, and her shorts and features have shown at festivals and museums around the world, including Sundance, Berlin, SXSW, The Whitney Biennial, and The Venice Biennale.
The full cast includes Casimere Jollette (Tiny Pretty Things), Ilirida Memedovski (THE BOOK OF BIRDIE), Sasha Kuznetsov, and Greta Stolte. PERPETRATOR is lensed by Sevdije Kastrati and edited by Justin Krohn. Previous KNIVES AND SKIN collaborators, costume designer Kate Grube and production designer Adri Siriwatt, return for Reeder’s latest.
Trevor Groth and Sarah Hong executive produced for 30West (TRIANGLE OF SADNESS), along with Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath for Divide/Conquer, Dimitri Stephanides for WTFilms as well as Emily Gotto for Shudder.
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Josephine Park as Maja, David Dencik as Lev the bookseller, and Sofie Grabol as Leah’s mom, Chana, in ATTACHMENT. Photo credit: Soeren Kirkegaard. Courtesy of Shudder
ATTACHMENT is a strange little Danish indie drama that keeps viewers off-balance in several respects for a psychological, and possibly supernatural, suspense tale. It opens with Maja (Josephine Park) and Leah (Ellie Kendrick) having the sort of meet-cute at a Danish bookstore that usually kicks off a rom-com. Maja is a local actress whose career highs may already be behind her. Leah is a student from England who was raised in a Hassidic community. She came to Copenhagen to connect with her mother’s Danish roots. Chemistry kicks in quickly, and the two young women become lovers.
When a leg injury puts Leah on crutches, she stays there a few days longer than planned. That’s enough time for Maja to become so enamored that she accompanies her to London. The two move into Leah’s flat, which is the second floor of her mother’s building. That’s where it starts becoming obvious that this ain’t gonna be no comedy.
Leah’s mom, Chana (Sofie Grabol), is wildly over-protective, secretive and surly towards this outsider. Hassidic communities are always rather self-contained, and this blonde gentile is swimming in strange waters. Leah is mostly bed-ridden, and surprisingly tolerant of her mother’s hovering, which includes all sorts of rituals, amulets and artifacts to ward off evil spirits.
The only one who educates Maja (and the audience) about the culture, including Jewish mysticism, is Lev (David Dencik), the bookseller. Maja hears strange sounds at night, as a sense of danger lurks around the edges of the home and its occupants. Is Chana a nut case? Is Leah pathologically co-dependent? Or is there a valid reason for all the precautions against evil spirits?
That all makes ATTACHMENT a multi-pronged title, covering Maja’s romantic devotion to Leah; the tight mother-daughter bond; and whether some demonic entity is nesting within the home or its occupants. I can’t give you more without spoilers.
Writer/director Gabriel Gier Gislason does well wearing both hats. The script fills in a lot of essential Jewish education without detracting from the unfolding tale. As director, he keeps viewers in suspense and engaged within a rather claustrophobia-inducing set. Very little of the running time occurs outside the abodes of the three women, or in bright light. That accentuates the spooky side of the production. Performances from the three are excellent, which is especially admirable considering the range of moods required to flesh out their personalities and story arcs.
ATTACHMENT, in English and Danish with English subtitles, streams exclusively on Shudder starting Thursday, Feb. 9.
