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Horror movies often find themselves judged by how well they can maintain suspense, deliver jump scares and make the audience's skin crawl. While some classics like Psycho and The Exorcistachieve this and become box office hits, many horror films that are equally flawless from start to finish often slip under the radar. These underrated gems offer everything a horror fan could want — strong performances, creepy and well-crafted lore, and terrifying scares — but for one reason or another, they haven't garnered the widespread recognition they deserve.

These films might have been overshadowed by more mainstream releases, suffered from limited marketing, or were simply ahead of their time. Each one delivers a masterclass in horror filmmaking, maintaining tension and engagement without a single misstep. Some have gone on to become justified cult classics, while others are hidden gems in need of discovery. They run the gamut of horror's history and make terrific...

A show that focuses on the fairly conventional premise of a group of kids, a stern mom, and a bumbling dad doesn't necessarily have what it takes to become a smash hit. However, the stars certainly aligned for "Malcolm in the Middle." The show premiered in 2000 and ran for a solid seven seasons before concluding in May 2006. If you've never seen the show and only know the basic premise, it's easy to assume that the series simply rode the coattails of the 1990s sitcom high to success ... but as anyone familiar with the series can attest, you don't make it to season 7 without being a pretty watchable sitcom, which "Malcolm in the Middle" certainly was.

One of the show's secrets is casting. The pre-Walter White Bryan Cranston was so convincingly hilarious as the slapstick-happy father Hal that he nearly lost "Breaking Bad" over a certain "Malcolm in the Middle" scene.

The CW has had a long and storied history of supernatural creatures running amock. When the network was still known as The WB, series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer made their mark on young viewers. Many other series took up this mantle, including a little-known series aptly titled Supernatural. Premiering in 2005, the series follows two once-estranged brothers who come together to vindicate their mother and find their missing father.

Sam and Dean Winchester were raised in the life of demon-hunting, opening a door to a world familiar to fans of the genre but with its own certain twist. Supernatural doesn't romanticize its monstrous foes, unlike other shows of its kind. The series puts these creatures in a realm of reality that is believable to fans, all while making some of the most well-known creatures of lore surprising.

Salting and Burning Became a Supernatural Classic

The Winchesters have made a...

Supernatural might be The CW’s flagship series, but that does not mean that the show got any concessions when it came to it’s budget. At the end of the day, Supernatural, despite its popularity, was a low-budget dark fantasy series that had to cut corners when presenting its story. And nowhere is it better shown than the monsters in the franchise.

Supernatural || Credit: CW

When one looks at the monsters that serve as the antagonists in Supernatural, be they ghosts, gods, angels, or demons, they always wear a human face, looking more or less like human beings with a situation-accurate cosplay. However, there was one exception in these ranks, which was the Wendigo, which was fully CGI.

Supernatural realized early on that the CGI route was not for the show Wendigo in Supernatural || Credit: The CW

The Wendigo was the only creature in Supernatural that got a fully CGI appearance,...

Supernatural ran for 15 seasons and throughout that time they had hundreds of guest stars, but some of them went on to become huge stars after appearing on the show. All actors have to start somewhere, so it’s not surprising that a well-known actor started their careers on network television shows where they had limited screen time. While many guest stars were forgettable or character actors, other Supernatural guest stars went on to become Hollywood powerhouses and became household names in their own right.

While Supernatural is known for having a very small main cast, never getting larger than five members, there are beloved recurring characters like the late Bobby Singer, Jody Mills, and Chuck Shurley/God. While these characters never got the nods as series regulars, they were integral in building the world of Supernatural. Because there are over 300 episodes of Supernatural, there are many guest stars that audiences never hear from again.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Wolverine #3!Wolverine's very first enemy in Marvel Comics was the Wendigo, a monster with a werewolf-like curse that turns normal people into the dreaded beast; now, an all-new version of the Wendigo comes with a dark twist that makes it nearly impossible for Wolverine to kill. This latest Wendigo Wolverine must face has an upgrade that will challenge the iconic X-Men member to make the ultimate sacrifice.

In the preview to Wolverine #3 written by Saladin Ahmed, with art by Marn Cccolo Wolverine is forced to once again fight the Wendigo but this time, its revealed that deep down, the Wendigo is a child who was forced to resort to cannibalism after being trapped in a cabin. The Wendigo curse only falls upon people forced to cannibalize in the northern wilderness, and they can spread the curse with their monstrous fangs and claws.

With the Wendigo on a hunger-induced rampage,...

Easily one of the best shows from Eric Kripke, Supernatural hardly has any elements worth hating or those hard to love. Over the course of 15 seasons, it has managed to deliver epically beyond viewers’ wildest imagination, coupling the emotional factor perfectly with the horror and thriller. Even then, some discrepancies still seem to have seeped up in the saga.

Supernatural. | Credits: Warner Bros. Television.

As much as these disputing factors made the very rare minority of the episodes unpleasant and cringe-worthy to even witness, it’s also something that showrunner Kripke has learned to openly criticize. This stands especially true for some of the opening seasons of the meritorious lore, which were so horrendously bad that even Kripke frankly hated it.

The Supernatural Episode That Even Erik Kripke Hates A still from Wendigo. | Credits: Supernatural / Warner Bros. Television.

Though there aren’t many episodes worth trolling as the horror series...

Erik Per Sullivan played Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle, but the actor hasn't been seen on screen in a long time. 17 years after Malcolm in the Middle ended, its still hailed as one of the best sitcoms of all time. The series owes a big part of its success to the talented actors who play its delightfully dysfunctional family. Malcolm in the Middle made stars out of several of its cast members. However, Sullivan left the acting business shortly after leaving the role of Dewy in Malcolm in the Middle behind.

Dewey was the youngest child for much of the series and an important aspect of the strange household, along with brothers Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and Reese (Justin Berfield) as well as parents Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal (Bryan Cranston). Sullivan earned acclaim for his role as the eccentric youngest son and was nominated for two Young Artist Awards.

Bone Tomahawk has been praised by audiences and critics for its successful blend of horror and Western elements a trick arguably pioneered by a cult genre flick released in 1999. On the surface, it may not seem like the sweeping romance of traditional Western stories has much compatibility with the oppressive, often nihilistic tone of many horror projects. However, as Bone Tomahawk and its 25-year-old predecessor prove, it can be a match made in heaven.

Whereas many horror movies rely on supernatural thrills, Bone Tomahawk's success comes from its unflinching and undeniably disturbing brutality. The story centers around a rescue mission mounted by Kurt Russell's Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who sets out to retrieve some townsfolk from a tribe of murderous troglodytes. The drama is unremittingly violent, centering on the cannibalistic habits of the antagonists. This key detail clearly relates Bone Tomahawk to an underrated horror release Guy Pearce's 1999 horror-Western,...

John Speredakos is no stranger to the world of indie horror. With a career that spans over two decades, the New York City-born actor has delivered unforgettable performances in films like Wendigo (2001), Blackout (2023), and now Crumb Catcher (2023), the darkly comedic thriller that premiered at Grimmfest 2024. Directed by Chris Skotchdopole, Crumb Catcher tells the unsettling story of a newlywed couple held hostage by a maniacally optimistic inventor, played by Speredakos, and his sour wife. The film explores themes of class, delusion, and desperation, all wrapped in a pitch-black comedic tone that keeps the audience guessing.

Will Knowles sat down with John at Grimmfest, where he opened up about the joy of playing such a twisted character, his love for improvisation, and what’s coming next in his burgeoning horror career.

Grimmfest, one of the UK’s premier horror festivals, was the perfect setting for Crumb Catcher to make its mark. The festival’s 2024 edition,...

Jt Mollner’s romantic thriller Strange Darling is the type of movie that is best experienced knowing as little as possible. In fact, you probably shouldn’t even be reading this review. Take it from us: it’s a good movie — a lean, entertaining 96-minute thriller. Go watch it. But if you need more convincing as to why Strange Darling is one of this year’s finest indie gems, we’ll oblige.

Strange Darling Review

The film follows a man and a woman who get together for what seems like a relatively standard one-night stand, only for it to intersect with a serial killer’s vicious murder spree. From the first shots, you might think this is just another ‘70s thriller/Texas Chain Saw homage/rip-off, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Mollner has crafted a much more exciting experience for audiences.

RELATEDConsumed Actress Courtney Halverson Talks...

Consumed, the latest horror movie from indie director-producer duo, the Butcher Brothers, takes audiences deep into the woods for a terrifying and ominous dive into North American folklore for the mother of all creature features. Cancer survivor Beth (Courtney Halverson) and her husband Jay (Mark Famiglietti) are celebrating the one-year anniversary of Beth's recovery with a romantic camping trip in the forest. However, all is not well. Beth is deeply troubled by a dark and tragic secret. To make things worse, she and Jay aren't alone in the woods. Animals are turning up dead and flayed. Human skins are draped around a ritual site. Beth is having surreal nightmares and visions. Someone or some things is out there, stalking them. One of them, the feral hunter Quinn (Devon Sawa) is human. The other, the legendary cryptid known as the Wendigo, is something much worse.

In this exclusive interview with Cbr,...

Chase sequences in video games can be some of the most heart-pounding experiences a player can endure. Horror games like Until Dawn have mastered the art of the chase, creating sequences that are not only memorable but also downright terrifying. These moments often determine whether a character lives to see another day or meets a gruesome end.

The best chase sequences leave players teetering on the edge of their seats, frantically pressing buttons to escape an ever-present threat. Here are our picks for five of the scariest chase sequences in gaming that have left players breathless.

5. Emily’s Escape From The Mines in Until Dawn With a remake on the way, we can expect an even more horrifying chase. | Image Credit: Supermassive Games

One of the most nerve-wracking chases in gaming can be found in Until Dawn. Until Dawn is a game filled with moments that test players’ nerves, but...

Devon Sawa (Final Destination) is enough to pique horror fans’ interest in any indie project, especially if it comes from filmmakers known for making fun B-movies. Consumed, the latest film by The Butcher Brothers — the nickname for the filmmaking duo of director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores — follows a couple who gets stranded in the woods with a madman and a skin-stealing monster.

We at FandomWire got to speak with The Butcher Brothers about their latest horror effort, shooting in the woods, and why horror films like Consumed need a strong emotional through-line. Check out the interview below.

Consumed Interview

FandomWire: Folklore is a common source of inspiration for many horror movies, including Consumed. What do you think makes these stories lend themselves so well to the genre?

Mitchell Altieri: That’s a great question. For me, and I’m sure for Phil, you grow up with all these legends and myths and everything.

This review contains spoilers for Consumed, which opens on August 16th.

The latest outing of horror filmmaker duo, the Butcher Brothers consisting of director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores Consumed is a dark and pastoral indie horror dive into the now-popular folk horror. Using North American folklore and cyptids to explore the real-life monster that is cancer, Consumed has a lot of great ideas supplemented by stolen skins, rotten flesh and unnatural violence. The movie got everything right including the acting, practical effects and premise but it unfortunately loses its message in the final leg of its bear trap-ridden trudge through the wilderness.

Married couple Jay (Mark Famiglietti) and Beth (Courtney Halverson) hit an important milestone. It's been one year since Beth was declared cancer-free. To celebrate, the couple travel deep into the woods for a romantic weekend of hiking and camping in the beautiful wilderness. But all is not right.

2024 has been a solid year for horror movies, specifically prequels to popular films in the genre. Prequels can be risky, but with the right creativity behind them, they can be as memorable as the originals. For example, The First Omen reignited admiration for a franchise that started in the 1970s. Meanwhile, the recent success of A Quiet Place: Day One proves that newer series still have the magic to get people into movie theaters.

Audiences and genre fans have gotten numerous acclaimed and well-loved horror movies over the past few years. With their imaginative ideas for the genre and elements worthy of more exploration, these films seem ready to receive an origin story. The X franchise has already taken that route with its prequel Pearl, which has become one of the best horror films of the 2020s. From Talk to Me to The Menu to Abigail, these horror movies deserve...

Blackout.I had saved my question about Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) until the last possible minute. Larry Fessenden, a disarmingly amiable man with an edge to his self-deprecating humor I recognized only too well, has a new werewolf movie out. If you know Larry’s movies—No Telling (1991), Habit (1995), Wendigo (2001), The Last Winter (2006), Beneath (2013), Depraved (2019), and now Blackout (2023)—you know it’s never just a matter of a monster. As we dug into its story of a lycanthropic curse doubling as a metaphor for an artist’s alcoholism and a town’s despair at a recent solar eclipse, I could see Larry the filmmaker turn into Larry the eager, devoted student and fan under the half-light of the black sun.Fessenden appears in the final minutes of Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), like a harbinger of the future’s unforgiving gaze, as an actor on the mid-century...

It’s been great to see the classic monsters returning in modern tales. From more Hollywood takes like Leigh Whannel’s The Invisible Man to the more indie darlings like The Angry Black Girl And Her Monster, the monsters have never been more relevant. And Larry Fessenden is no stranger to the world of monsters, having previously created his own iteration of Frankenstein’s Monster with Depraved as well as his own Wendigo film, aptly titled Wendigo. Now he’s taking on werewolf lore with his new film Blackout.

I was lucky enough to sit down with both Larry and the star of Blackout, Alex Hurt, to discuss the film. From the clear Lon Chaney influence to using alcoholism as a parallel for his transformation, this stands out from other modern werewolf tales. I was also fortunate enough to talk to Alex about the passing of his father, William, who...

Larry Fessenden is back with new werewolf horror movie Blackout, which is Now Available on Digital/VOD at home courtesy of Dark Sky Films.

Blackout is the third film in Fessenden’s monster trilogy, following Habit (vampires) and Depraved (Frankenstein). Watch a clip below for a sneak peek at his latest monster!

The film follows small town artist Charley (Alex Hurt), a tortured man whose drinking binges blur with his sneaking suspicion that he might likely be a werewolf. He distances himself from those he loves and sinks deeper into solitude, his flashes of memory of his nighttime grisly acts manifested through his artwork.

Fessenden tells us, “I am interested in finding new truths in the classic monster tropes of my youth. The essence of each creature dictates the milieu of the film, and of course, the werewolf is both out of control and regretful so that duality shaped my story.

Welcome to The B-Side, from The Film Stage. Here we talk about movie directors! Not the movies that made them famous or kept them famous, but the ones that they made in between.

Today we talk to an independent film legend. Some have called him the “East Coast Roger Corman,” though that’s short-changing Larry Fessenden a bit. Though his production company Glass Eye Pix has been around since the mid-80s, Fessenden made a name for himself with the mid-90s indie horror classic Habit, in which he wrote, directed, and starred as an alcoholic New Yorker who starts dating a vampire. Or so he thinks.

Fessenden has a new movie available on VOD on April 12––Blackout––as we speak, one that connects to both Habit and his 2019 film Depraved. We talk about this with Fessenden, as well as his love for the classic Universal Monster Films, the evolving...

Level 33 Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of Cold Meat, being described as “a serial killer survival thriller with a killer hook set during a dangerous snow blizzard.”

Cold Meat will be playing in limited theaters and arriving On Demand February 23.

The film premiered at FrightFest London 2023, where it was nominated for a slew of awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Allen Leech), and Best Scare.

Cold Meat is opening in the following theaters:

The Boedecker Theater – Boulder, Co Cinema 14 Chatham Powered by Emagine, Chicago, Il Emagine Woodhaven 10, Woodhaven, Mi Galaxy Mission Grove 18, Riverside, CA Emagine Rogers 18, Rogers, Mn Galaxy Monroe 12, Monroe, Wa

In the upcoming indie, “While passing through the Colorado Rockies, David stops for a meal at a diner and ends up heroically saving a young waitress from her violent ex-husband. David hits the road again amid a dangerous blizzard, and one false move sends...

It’s hard to imagine nowadays, but humans weren’t always at the top of the food chain. And with our ancestors being preyed upon by larger mammals and even our fellow humanoids, it stands to reason that we’d develop a generalized fear of the dark. That’s why it makes sense that cold places where the sun doesn’t routinely rise are naturally suited for spooky stories.

This is precisely what showrunner Issa López had in mind when she came up with HBO’s True Detective: Night Country, a brand-new murder mystery that returns the anthology show to its horrific roots. And with new episodes dropping weekly, we’ve decided to help viewers get an additional fix of frigid frights by recommending six arctic thrillers to watch after Td: Night Country.

As usual, don’t forget to comment below with your own arctic favorites if you think we missed a particularly spooky one.

Yet another trio of Dark Sky Films titles have made their way onto Screambox, joining previously dropped classics Willow Creek, Minor Premise, and The Deeper You Dig (details), as well as Ghost Killers vs. Bloody Mary, Landlocked, and Possum (details), and even Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 1 & 2 and Emelie (details).

All of them have a taste for blood…

First, Stake Land, the Jim Mickle-directed vampire classic that set the stage for his cannibal horror We Are What We Are and the Netflix series “Sweet Tooth”.

In the film, “America has fallen. A vampiric scourge sweeps the nation, turning brother on brother and parent on child as the blood-hungry beasts take deeper and deeper hold upon the land. It’s hard for the survivors to know whether to be more afraid of the creatures themselves or the violent religious groups that have sprung up in response, but there is...

Wolverine's most controversial injury, being ripped in half, is confirmed to be possible in both the Ultimate Universe and Earth-616. The Hulk has always been the one to inflict the most damage on Wolverine, as seen in their historic battles. The latest issue of Wolverine #37 not only pays tribute to past storylines but also confirms that even a creature like the Wendigo can rip Wolverine in half, proving that it's not just the Hulk who has this power.

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Wolverine #37 Wolverine is easily one of the toughest heroes in the Marvel Universe, both due to the inherent healing factor his mutation offers, and the nearly unbreakable adamantium that encases his entire skeleton. That’s why one injury he suffered in the Ultimate Universe became quite controversial when it happened, as long-time fans called into question the legitimacy of such an injury, given that this...

Stars: Tyler Gene, Jake Robinson, Hunter Redfern, Matthias Margraves, Laura Rodriguez, Taylor-Grace Davis, Paul Hurley | Written by Jake Robinson, James S. ‘Jamie’ Brown | Directed by Jake Robinson

I’m beginning to think that, cinematically at least, the Wendigo hit its peak back in 1995 with Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo, an absolutely batshit mix of folklore, Evil Dead-style mayhem, and stop-motion monsters. Despite some decent films on the subject like The Retreat there’s yet to be a definitive screen version of this creature from Native American folklore.

The latest take on the myth is titled, aptly enough, The Wendigo and it begins somewhere in the woods of North Carolina as YouTuber Logan calls out the creature’s name hoping to catch it on camera for his livestream. He gets more than he bargained for and gets dragged off while, in true found-footage fashion, his camera glitches.

Ironically, the footage goes...

After a social media star disappears in the woods of North Carolina, his friends are set to figure out what happened to him. Ignoring the legend of the cursed land was only their first mistake. That’s the chilling tale in tow of The Wendigo, on digital platforms 4th August 2023 from Terror Films.

Directed by Jake Robinson, and starring Austin Pigza, Tyler Gene, and Matthias Margraves, The Wendigo is written by Jamie Brown (Fatal Getaway). Terror Films will release the film worldwide 4th August 2023.

Director’s Statement

Due to my Father, I grew up with a love for horror. He used to take me to Hollywood Video every Friday as a child. Watching each movie sparked something in my young mind to want to make movies myself. As a kid, I made little films on our family video recorder. Surprisingly, I still have my first “movie” I taped. If I spoke to my younger self,...

Larry Fessenden is back with a new werewolf horror movie titled Blackout, and Bloody Disgusting has some exclusive first-look imagery to share today.

Check out the images below and read on for everything you need to know…

Blackout marks the second pairing of Glass Eye Pix, the New York production shingle headed by Fessenden, and Yellow Veil Pictures, having previously collaborated successfully on world sales for Fessenden’s 2019 Depraved, which was released by IFC Midnight in the US.

The film follows small town artist Charley (Alex Hurt), a tortured man whose drinking binges blur with his sneaking suspicion that he might likely be a werewolf. He distances himself from those he loves and sinks deeper into solitude, his flashes of memory of his nighttime grisly acts manifested through his artwork

Blackout is the third film in Fessenden’s monster trilogy, following Habit (vampires) and Depraved (Frankenstein). This film continues...

After 15 seasons of Supernatural and nearly 330 episodes, the series gained a reputation for being a show that went on for too long. By the time the final season rolled around, fans were shocked to hear that it was finally coming to an end. While most diehard fans were heartbroken, many agreed it was time.

The later seasons of Supernatural kept getting more and more ridiculous. Yet, there's a reason that the show became so popular. After facing down God, the Darkness, and seeing the Winchester Brothers died countless times, it's easy to forget that the first few seasons are littered with so many good episodes.

Related: 10 Popular TV Characters Ruined By A Bad Season

"Wendigo"

Season 1, Episode 2 "Wendigo," is an episode that fans remember fondly. Before the Winchester Brothers were fighting demons and angels every episode, they took on more unique cases. The brothers fought a wide variety of folklore legends,...

It’s July, so you know what that means… Fantasia International Film Festival time! Kicking off our Summer of film festival coverage, Fantasia is Always packed with a vast variety of films, from action to horror, drama to comedy, the festival covers the gamut of genres and offers films that [I think] no other festival does. With that in mind, here are five of my “must-see” picks from this year’s line-up.

Blackout – Genre veteran Larry Fessenden goes back behind the camera for another genre film following the likes of Wendigo, The Last Winter and Beneath. This time around Fessenden brings us the tale of a painter (Alex Hurt) who, convinced he is a werewolf, creates chaos in a small town at each full moon. Suitable Flesh – Director Joe Lynch returns with his first feature after a 4-year absence to helm Suitable Flesh, which not only stars Scream Queen Barbara Crampton but comes from writer Dennis Paoli,...

You ever been to one of those Christmas parties, where the host is just a little too drunk and things get a bit awkward? He goes on about his time in the military, his deceased wife, his spiritual problems. He invites, no, begs everyone to hold hands in a circle and perform a séance with him, and you all know it's silly, but you do it to just placate the poor guy so that the night doesn't get any weirder. We've all been there — you connect to the spirit world, a bound and gagged woman breaks out of the closet where she's been kidnapped, you don't know if she's a Nazi, your friends think about killing her, etc. Christmastime, right?

Well, if you haven't had that unique experience, you're in luck with Brooklyn 45, a delightfully kooky yet tense and clever little thriller that feels like Sam Raimi rewrote Death and the Maiden.

When Alfred Hitchcock experimented with the idea of a "one-shot film" in 1948, with the movie Rope, it befuddled many viewers and critics. If he was going to make a film, why would he modify its aesthetic to imitate a different medium entirely? Why would it be in real-time, woven together to fabricate the loose illusion that there are few if any cuts? At the time, the whole thing felt stagey and overly theatrical to people who probably would've preferred to just see the play in theaters.

75 years later, though, the illusion of a film taking place in real-time, in one location, is often captivating. Maybe people just don't go to the theater anymore. Or maybe everyone is so inundated with MTV-style editing that a slower pace which relishes in the passage of time can be a kind of pleasant escape.

That's often how it feels in the new genre-defining film,...

The drama genre is known for representing real-life scenarios that are relatable to its audience. However, the genre is also very versatile, with shows like Criminal Minds and Buffy the Vampire Slayer incorporating drama themes while also conveying terrifying and spooky tropes.

Related: Best Sci-Fi TV Shows Based On Books

Even the most lovable shows like Doctor Who and Stranger Things, which have some lighthearted and delightful themes, incorporate some of the darkest scenarios ever seen in TV shows. The scariest episodes are the ones that play on common fears, such as wicked serial killers and terrifying monsters. Many shows feature plotlines of this nature, but these episodes are the most successful at building terror with chilling villains.

This article contains mention of disturbing imagery and themes, including embeds of clips with frightening imagery.

"Rm W/a Vu" Angel

Though Angel isn't the more popular Buffyverse show compared to the original,...

Exclusive: Actor-writer-director Jake Weber, known for his film roles in Dawn of the Dead and Meet Joe Black, and for his seven-season run on Medium, has signed with Stewart Talent for representation.

With a career that spans more than three decades, Weber has extensive credits in film, television and theatre. He is best known in film for his role as Michael in Dawn of the Dead and for his role as Drew in Meet Joe Black. Additional credits include: U-571, Mike Newell’s Pushing Tin, Tarsem Singh’s The Cell, Marshall Herskovitz’s Dangerous Beauty, Alan J. Pakula’s The Pelican Brief, Sidney Lumet’s A Stranger Among Us, and Larry Fessendon’s Wendigo.

On television, Jake played Joe DuBois, the sleep-deprived husband of psychic Allison DuBois (Patricia Arquette), for 7 seasons and 130 episodes on NBC’s hit drama series Medium. Other credits include series regular roles in HBO’s The Mind of the Married Man,...

In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week we look at Life in a Blender's Frankenstein Cannot Be Stopped, directed by Larry Fessenden. Larry Fessenden loves Frankenstein. It might even be an understatement to call it love. In an interview I did with him for the Dutch-language film magazine Schokkend Nieuws he stated: "It's how I see the world. It's my religion, my mythology." Fessenden, who as a director might be most well known for two Wendigo-related features he made (the coming-of-age horror Wendigo and the eco horror The Last Winter), and his contributions for the game Until Dawn, keeps often returning to the same themes in his work. The wendigo-myth is one, but...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Stop motion. Full body make-ups. Puppets. Matte paintings. Miniatures. Opticals. These gloriously retro effects and more can be found in the regional B-movie jam, Tom Chaney’s Frostbiter: The Wrath of the Wendigo.

Shot over a handful of years in Michigan in the mid-to-late 80s, Frostbiter is another DIY charmer that sees its lineage traced back to Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead. Whereas most of the prominent Evil Dead riffs largely reference and pay homage to the original film, Frostbiter takes its cues from Evil Dead 2 (the films even share an editor – Kaye Davis). It’s a zany, comedic little film that wears its influences on its sleeve and wants nothing more than to deliver a good time.

A good time, I’m happy to report, that it very much manages to deliver.

If the title doesn’t give it away, the film is about the legendary Wendigo...

Unicorn Wars: "It’s Bambi meets Apocalypse Now in this provocative and strangely beautiful horror comedy from acclaimed filmmaker and illustrator Alberto Vazquez (Birdboy: The Forgotten Children), who uses its outrageous candy-colored premise to explore religious zealotry, the tortured legacies of military fascism, and the depths of the soul.

For ages, teddy bears have been locked in an ancestral war against their sworn enemy, the unicorns, with the promise that victory will complete the prophecy and usher in a new era. Aggressive, confident teddy bear Bluet and his sensitive, withdrawn brother Tubby could not be more different. As the rigors and humiliation of teddy bear bootcamp turn to the psychedelic horrors of a combat tour in the Magic Forest, their complicated history and increasingly strained relationship will come to determine the fate of the entire war."

Director/Writer/Art Director: Alberto Vázquez Executive Producers: Chelo Loureiro, Iván Miñambres, Nicolas Schmerkin...

Yellow Veil Pictures announced today they have boarded world sales on Blackout, Larry Fessenden’s werewolf horror film that’s currently in post-production, and have released the first teaser poster. The film wrapped principal photography in the fall in New York’s Hudson Valley and will hit the festival circuit later this year.

Blackout marks the second pairing of Glass Eye Pix, the New York production shingle headed by Fessenden, and Yellow Veil Pictures, having previously collaborated successfully on world sales for Fessenden’s 2019 Depraved, which was released by IFC Midnight in the US to great acclaim.

The film follows a fine-arts painter convinced he is a werewolf wreaking havoc on a small American town every full moon. It is the latest addition to Fessenden’s own Monsterverse, along with his breakout feature, the vampire-themed Independent Spirit Award-Winning feature Habit (1995) and 2019’s Frankenstein riff, Depraved.

Winner of the 1997 Someone to Watch Spirit Award,...

In L’Inhumain, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg member Jason Brennan crafts a film about the Anishinaabe’s perspective of the Wendigo and his personal connection to the creature. Brennan fuses oral histories into a film that explores the difficult choices, temptations, identity issues, and financial pressures that arise when someone decides to leave their reservation land and live in a big city. The horror film focuses on a neurosurgeon named Mathieu, portrayed by First Nation hip-hop artist Samian, struggling with substance abuse, and a failing marriage. After his father dies, he returns to his ancestral land but soon crosses paths with the ravenous Wendigo.

I spoke with Brennan about what it was like to tell this story, his experience as an Indigenous filmmaker, and his company Nish Media – a production studio prioritizing finding and supporting Indigenous talent.

L’Inhumain revolves around the Anishinaabe’s oral history of the Wendigo. Do you...

Larry Fessenden has been instrumental in the evolution and popularity of indie horror, not only through his own directorial efforts via Glass Eye Pix, but by supporting diverse and unique voices as well. Over nearly four decades, Larry Fessenden and Glass Eye Pix have amassed an incredible portfolio of features, shorts, and animation, and it will all be highlighted at in New York at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) March 30 through April 19. Featuring an in-person and online program, we have all the details on the special events and screenings, including the premiere of Jack Fessenden's Foxhole!

"Glass Eye Pix, the New York independent production shingle headed by art-horror auteur Larry Fessenden, is pleased to announce that a retrospective of 26 feature films along with numerous shorts, animations, and early works created during its 37 years of operation, is being presented by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) March 30 through April...

Searchlight Pictures finally releases Antlers, its creature feature from director Scott Cooper and producer Guillermo del Toro, on Digital December 21 and Blu-ray and DVD January 4, 2022. In this exclusive bonus clip, producer Guillermo del Toro gets hands on with the Wendigo creature design. See the evolution of the Wendigo, concept art, and the various stages of the creature’s progression below. […]...

What happens when an ancient antlered monster, generational family trauma and middle school bullies all meet in the middle? Scott Cooper had a lot to say on the subject.

From the collaboration of director and co-writer Cooper – who directed “Crazy Heart” and “Hostiles” – and producer Guillermo del Toro, “Antlers” tells the tale of a middle school teacher and her sheriff brother as they become involved with her enigmatic student whose secrets lead to terrifying encounters with a dark ancestral creature. The film stars Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Green, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane and Amy Madigan.

From the very beginning through the bitter end, “Antlers” grapples with difficult topics including drug addiction and child abuse, and Cooper did not shy away from confronting such conversations head-on. Bolstered by the Native lore of the fear-mongering creature, the Wendigo, Cooper unpacked these difficult narratives.

Cooper spoke to Variety about...

Writer, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, and actor Larry Fessenden chats with hosts Joe Dante & Josh Olson about some of his favorite movies.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Habit (1995)

Jakob’s Wife (2021)

Phantom Thread (2017)

The Last Winter (2006)

Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)

The Crawling Eye (1958)

The Reptile (1966)

Peeping Tom (1960)

Casablanca (1942)

Jaws (1975)

Man Of A Thousand Faces (1957)

Scarlet Street (1945)

Suspicion (1941)

Rope (1948)

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

Frankenstein (1931)

The Wolf Man (1941)

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Dracula (1931)

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Taxi Driver (1976)

Mean Streets (1973)

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Playtime (1973)

The Thing (1982)

The Howling (1981)

An American Werewolf In London (1981)

An American Werewolf In Paris (1997)

I Was A Teenage Werewolf (1957)

Ginger Snaps (2001)

The Terminator (1984)

The Wolfman (2010)

Van Helsing (2004)

The Mummy (2017)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

The Invisible Man (1933)

The Invisible Man (2020)

Amazon Women On The Moon (1987)

Wendigo (2001)

Fargo (1996)

Raising Arizona (1987)

Seven (1995)

Man Bites Dog...

Get Your Ringside Seats For Bigfoot Vs. Wendigo Now! Dawn Of The Beast – Now Available On DVD And Digital Aiming to see Bigfoot, a group of students venture deep into an area of the Northeastern wilderness known for its strange creature sightings. Soon, they learn that there is a much more sinister evil lurking …

The post Bigfoot Vs. Wendigo! – Dawn Of The Beast appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

Tagline: "There's Something Waiting in the Mountains." The Retreat is an upcoming horror feature, focusing on an Indigenous legend - the Wendigo. This creature has been put to film before in films like Larry Fessenden's Wendigo (2001) and others. This time, two hikers head up to Upstate New York. Here, they encounter a monster, which bloodies their hiking trip. Developed by director Bruce Wemple (Monstrous), this feature centrally stars: Grant Schumacher (Lake Artifact), Dylan Grunn (Left Hand) and Catharine Daddario. A trailer was released late last week and the clip can be found below, in case you missed it. The trailer shows the creature, in some of the scenes. With glowing eyes, it attacks at night, leaving Gus and Adam disoriented in open country. Now, this duo must find a way to overcome this supernatural entity, before the remaining light of day fizzles out. Uncork'd Entertainment will show The Retreat on DVD and Digital,...

As part of the Comic-Con@Home panel for Antlers, Guillermo del Toro and Scott Cooper discussed the Wendigo-inspired film. Fox Searchlight has released a brand new featurette that explores the myth and teases the upcoming horror film:

Directed by Scott Cooper from a screenplay by C. Henry Chaisson & Nick Antosca and Scott Cooper, based on Antosca's short story "The Quiet Boy," Antlers stars Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, and Amy Madigan. The film is produced by Guillermo del Toro, David Goyer, and J. Miles Dale.

"In Antlers, a small-town Oregon teacher (Keri Russell) and her brother (Jesse Plemons), the local sheriff, discover that a young student (Jeremy T. Thomas) is harboring a dangerous secret with frightening consequences."

Antlers is currently scheduled for a February 19th, 2021 theatrical release.



The post Comic-Con@Home 2020: New Antlers Featurette Explores Myth of the Wendigo appeared first on Daily Dead.

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and “Rear Window” might not be the most obvious reference points to exist in harmony, but “The Wretched” finds an amusing way to let them jam together. The sophomore efforts from sibling directors Brett and Drew Pierce (who go by “the Pierce brothers”) is a fun eco-horror ride about a small lakeside community overtaken by root monsters, juggling the inherent silliness of that conceit with a surprising amount of subtlety, providing

When burly teen Ben (John-Paul Howard) arrives at his dad’s small-town abode while his parents undergo a painful divorce, he settles into the usual beats of a bland summertime excursion. That means helping out at the boat dock owned by his well-intentioned father (Jamison Jones), bonding with the flirtatious local Mallory (Piper Curda), and avoiding the pressure to confront his dysfunctional family problems by chasing the party trail. Spooky trouble starts brewing when...

Larry Fessenden is an American director, producer, writer, actor, and overall force to be reckoned with. A true indie film pioneer in the horror world, Larry’s career highlights include 1995’s gritty vampire drama Habit, 2001’s Wendigo, and The Last Winter, Starring Ron Perlman. Larry’s latest movie, Depraved, is a gritty and modern take on Frankenstein, […]

The post Horror Business: Larry Fessenden on Depraved & Punk Rock Filmmaking appeared first on Dread Central.

Larry Fessenden has always been among the most recognized and loved directors in the underground indie horror scene, with films like Wendigo and Habit, as well as memorable episodes in Fear Itself and The ABCs of Death 2, while also producing work within the genre and being a character actor in his own right. To celebrate the 200 years of the writing and publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in 2018, many events took place all over the world, many publications and symposiums were held, but ultimately we didn't get a great film to cap it all off, until today. Depraved, Fessenden's latest film, is the definitive capper for that celebration, a fitting tribute to Mary Shelley and a modern enough spin for it to be...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

We’ve got some interesting details to share with you on another unproduced X-Men movie. It would have been a spinoff film that focuses on Nicholas Hoult’s Beast, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Wendigo, and Mr. Sinister.

The film would have been called X-Men: Fear the Beast and there was a script written for it by Byron Burton, assistant to franchise editor and composer John Ottman, who described the project as being in the “tenor of John Carpenter’s The Thing where you are in this inhospitable environment.” You can actually read the script here if you want.

The movie was set in the late 80s and starts off in a snow-covered Inuit village that's being stalked by a mysterious creature.

The script then cuts to Hank McCoy, who is living in the X-Mansion and is keeping his mutation in check with a special serum introduced in 2014's Days of Future Past.

With the 23rd annual Fantasia International Film Festival kicking off in Montreal this July, the first wave of programming has now been revealed, giving horror fans plenty of must-see titles to add to their watch lists this year, including Fangoria's Satanic Panic, the world premiere of Critters Attack!, Come to Daddy, Little Monsters, Phantom of Winnipeg, and many more movies!

Check out Fantasia's full first wave of programming below, visit their website for more information, and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on the festival!

"Montreal, Quebec - 29 May 2019 - The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 23rd Anniversary in Montreal this summer, taking place from July 11 - August 1, with its Frontières International Co-Production Market being held July 18 - 21. The festival’s full lineup of over 130 feature films will be announced in early July. In the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a selected first wave of titles,...