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It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Syfy’s celebrating accordingly with a marathon of the Leprechaun movies. But if you’re looking for horror inspiration that’ll bring the laughs and screams beyond the pint-sized killer’s holiday-appropriate franchise, this week’s streaming picks are dedicated to Irish horror comedies that do just that.

If you’re feeling lucky, here’s where you can stream these Irish horror-comedies this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

Extra Ordinary – Kanopy, Paramount+

This horror-comedy from writers/directors Mike Ahern & Enda Loughman delivers laughs and ectoplasm in spades. Maeve Higgins stars as the kindly Rose Dooley, a lonely woman with a unique ability to see and deal with ghosts. When a washed up rock star (Will Forte) enters a Satanic pact that entails sacrificing his daughter, Rose must team up with client and crush Martin Martin (Barry Ward) to save her.

Dr. Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell) has become one of the most familiar faces on Chicago Med. True, he's been through quite a bit in season 10, but the character's inherent decency and his desire to change has made him extremely easy to root for.

The actor who plays Ripley may be relatively new to the One Chicago universe, but that doesn't mean he's unfamiliar with it. In fact, Luke Mitchell came up with a deep cut choice when asked which of the previous Med characters he'd like to see return to the show.

Who played Dr. Isidore Latham on Chicago Med?

The actor told Cbr that he would push to bring Dr. Isidore Latham back to Gaffney Medical Center to spice things up. If the name doesn't immediately ring a bell, don't worry. Latham was never a central cast member, but rather a recurring presence during seasons 2-5.

Mitchell's reasoning? Well,...

Exclusive: Mena Suvari (American Beauty), Nick Stahl (Let the Right One In) and India Marie Cross (Wicked City) will star alongside Caleb Landry Jones in Down the Arm of God, an indie drama co-written by Jones and Peter Brunner, which is being introduced at EFM by Kinology.

Inspired by real stories, Down the Arm of God follows a young pastor through a harsh winter in a small Texas town, where his mission to help the homeless is faced with resistance by his congregation, exposing deep-seated prejudices and systemic failures.

Directed by Brunner, the film is rooted in real-life interviews and firsthand accounts of homeless individuals surviving on the streets. More than just a narrative about homelessness, Down the Arm of God is the result of years of direct collaboration with the homeless community — not just as subjects, but as partners and storytellers shaping the film with their lived experiences.

Luc Besson is producing for EuropaCorp,...

A niche streaming service made for indie film lovers who crave something different.

Back when I was at USC Film School, I got a crash course in indie cinema. While everyone else was obsessing over the latest blockbusters, I was sitting in screenings of microbudget dramas, foreign gems, and documentaries that stuck with me way longer than any superhero movie ever could. That appreciation for indie films never left (“Run Lola Run” anyone?), which is why Magnolia Selects is such a great find. This niche streaming service is all about independent filmmaking, curating a lineup of award-winning dramas, interesting (and entertaining) documentaries, and under-the-radar gems you won’t find on the big streamers. If you love cinema that takes risks, tells bold stories, and champions unique voices, Magnolia Selects is worth checking out. Here’s everything you need to know.

Everything you need to know about Magnolia Selects

What is Magnolia Selects?...

Valentine’s Day might be about flowers, chocolates, and romance – but in horror, love often leads to obsession, betrayal, and bloody revenge. With slasher thrills, supernatural hauntings, or twisted tales of doomed romance, horror movies set around love and relationships add an extra layer of intensity. Interestingly, horror movies that use romance as a device go right back to the origins of horror cinema, intertwining desire with thrills and kills.

For those who prefer their Valentine’s Day with a side of terror, we’ve rounded up the best horror films to watch on February 14th. These movies prove that sometimes, love doesn’t just break your heart – it rips it out.

The Best Valentine’s Day Horror Movies 1. My Bloody Valentine (1981 & 2009)

Few films embody Valentine’s Day horror better than My Bloody Valentine. This cult classic slasher follows a mining town plagued by a masked killer seeking revenge on Valentine’s Day.

Exclusive: Pachinko and The Morning Show Studio Media Res is building out its international division by hiring a Nordics boss, who has landed first project.

Anna-Klara Carlsten, whose credits include Spring Uje Spring and Tore, will lead the Nordics slate and report into Lars Blomgren, who runs international for Media Res.

Carlsten’s first project is an Svt adaptation of Let The Right One In author John Ajvide Lindqvist’s latest novel Summer of 1985, which will be directed by The Bridge co-creator Björn Stein. Published in 2023, the story centers on a group of friends preparing for an epic summer together in the Stockholm archipelago. When the discovery of a mythic creature with mysterious origins and abilities upends their lives, new experiences and pleasures induce the group at the increasing cost of their psyches. The book comes from the celebrated author of Let The Right One In, Let Me In and Border,...

If you're looking for a bloodsucking good time this February, Peacock has you covered...and then some. The streaming service has a plethora of vampire titles hitting its catalog on the first of the month, including the entire Blade and Twilight franchises, as well as a groundbreaking classic, and several underrated gems, all of which land on the streamer on February 1.

Love them or hate them, there's no denying the popularity and cultural impact of Twilight and its four sequels. Starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and based on the bestselling novels by Stephenie Meyer, the films have collectively grossed over $3 billion worldwide. Critical and audience debate still rages over whether the movies are actually any good, something which star Pattinson is tired of hearing about. Of course, arguably there wouldn't be a Twilight without Interview with the Vampire, the 1994 film directed by Neil Jordan, from a script by original novel author Anne Rice.

To celebrate the digital release of the iconic horror Let the Right One In, starring Lina Leandersson, Kåre Hedebrant, Patrik Rydmark and Peter Carlberg, we have 2 posters to give away.

In anticipation for the digital release, Vertigo Releasing have collaborated with iconic illustrator Chris Malbon to create entirely new, hand-illustrated artwork in honour of the film’s iconic characters, cold Scandinavian setting, and, of course, the infamous pool scene.

Let the Right One In follows bullied 12-year-old Oskar (Hedebrant), living with his mother in suburban Sweden, when he’s introduced to his mysterious and dark neighbour Eli (Leandersson). Whilst the pair are initially reserved with each other, they gradually start to form a close bond through their shared insecurities. However, this tale soon takes a sinister turn, as it becomes apparent that Eli is no regular young girl, as she shares with Oskar her dark secret – that she is in...

The critically acclaimed Swedish horror Let the Right One In has been released across digital platforms in the UK and Ireland as of 20 January, courtesy of Vertigo Releasing. Directed by Tomas Alfredson and adapted from John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel of the same name, the film is celebrated for its haunting atmosphere, complex characters, and a chilling take on the vampire genre.

To commemorate this release, Vertigo Releasing collaborated with artist Chris Malbon, who crafted a stunning new poster that pays homage to the film’s striking Scandinavian setting and its unforgettable climax—the infamous pool scene. This fresh artwork serves as a fitting tribute to a film that has left an indelible mark on horror cinema.

Set in a suburban Swedish town in the early 1980s, Let the Right One In centres on Oskar, a bullied 12-year-old boy played by Kåre Hedebrant. Oskar finds an unlikely friend in Eli,...

John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel became the incredible Swedish movie Let the Right One In back in 2008, and we’ve learned that Vertigo is bringing the film back to life next week.

Vertigo Releasing will bring iconic vampire horror Let the Right One In to audiences across digital platforms on January 20, and Bloody Disgusting has been exclusively provided with all-new digital artwork. In anticipation for January’s release, Vertigo have collaborated with iconic illustrator Chris Malbon to create entirely new, hand-illustrated artwork in honour of the film’s iconic characters, cold Scandinavian setting, and, of course, the infamous pool scene.

Check out the art below and look for the vampire film on digital outlets January 20!

Lina Leandersson, Kåre Hedebrant, Patrik Rydmark and Peter Carlberg star.

From director Tomas Alfredson, Let the Right One In follows bullied 12 year old Oskar (Hedebrant), living with his mother in suburban Sweden, when he’s...

The holidays are over, which means we are now knee-deep in the dark days of winter. In many parts of the world, a bleak coldness has set in. As I sit here writing this, a bone-chilling wind is howling outside, literally shaking my house and making me want to burrow under some blankets and not go outside until April rolls around. Now is the perfect time to hunker down and stream some icy horror movies as you wait out the winter. Below, I've rounded up 10 wintry horror movies you can stream this month, in all their chilly glory. And because I know someone, somewhere, will be wondering about this: no, "The Shining" isn't on here. And there are two reasons for that. One: I already listed "The Shining" in a previous horror streaming column and I try not to double dip, and Two: believe it or not, "The Shining" is currently unavailable to stream anywhere.

Back when the world was still dealing with the horrific pandemic in 2021, Netflix released a survival thriller series from South Korea to international audiences, which instantly became a global sensation. From inspiring various internet trends to recreations of all kinds, Squid Game has been one of the landmark productions in the streaming giant’s history, and so the hype around the release of Squid Game season 2 is quite expected. As season 2 is set to release on 26th December, this would be a great time to take a look back at the events of season 1 and prepare ourselves for another blockbuster.

Spoiler Alert

What is the Series about?

Squid Game begins with the introduction of the protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, who lives a layabout’s life with his elderly mother at a small, rented apartment in Seoul. After having tried his hand at various professions, Gi-hun currently works as a private chauffeur,...

After Longlegs became a surprise hit over the summer, Maika Monroe has lined up her next horror film, re-teaming with distributor Neon and director Chloe Okuno.

Per Deadline, Monroe is set to star in Brides, a horror film written and directed by Okuno. Longlegs distributor, Neon, plans to release the movie theatrically. Brides follows "Sally Bishop (Monroe) and her husband, who travel to a remote Italian villa where the villa’s owner, a mysterious count, takes a peculiar interest in Sally." Anthony Bregman and Stefanie Azpiazu will serve as producers for Brides. Okuno made her feature debut with Watcher in 2022, a psychological thriller starring Monroe.

Related Chris Hemsworth's Horror-Comedy Film With 92% Rotten Tomatoes Score Gets Free Streaming Home

One of the most critically acclaimed horror films of the past two decades is heading to a new streaming home for the new year.

Okuno is also known for directing a...

We've just had our first proper look at 28 Years Later, the highly anticipated movie which serves as a sequel to 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle’s genre-defining zombie thriller from 2002, and its 2007 follow-up, 28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Earlier this weekend, we got a tease of what was to come in a 13-second clip which was uploaded to social media. The sneak peek was packed with beeps of Morse code, and subliminal flashes of red skulls and biohazard warnings, as well as glimpses from the air of what appeared to be an island connected by a long bridge to land.

The 28 Days Later franchise is making a much-anticipated comeback next year with its third film, 28 Years Later. Expected to be a trilogy of sequels, the film’s first teaser was recently released and already the post-apocalyptic horror film is raising questions and leaving fans confused.

28 Days Later (2002) | Credit: 20th Century Studios

With Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy reprising his role from the first film, the expectations are sky-high. And the teaser has caught the attention of fans as it apparently contains an ominous message hidden in Morse code.

Cillian Murphy’s 28 Years Later Teaser Contains a Hidden Message Cillian Murphy as Jim in 2002’s 28 Days Later | Credit: 20th Century Studios

The 28 Days Later franchise is a set of post-apocalyptic horror flicks that feature the release of a pathogenic disease called Rage Virus, originally created for chemical warfare. Hailed among the best zombie horror films of all time,...

Sony Pictures has released its first teaser for 28 Years Later, director Danny Boyle’s long-awaited zombie apocalypse sequel.

The footage is largely black with Morse code audio and flashes of an island connected by a long land bridge, as well as statue-like figures (crucified zombies?), red skulls and red contamination symbols.

The studio is being extra cryptic with the release, taking the unusual step of putting no movie title or description on the YouTube video, but it was also tweeted from the official 28 Years Later account on X.

Internet sleuths have said the island appears to be Lindisfarne in Northumberland, which would seemingly be a smart place to take refuge during a zombie outbreak.

The official description: “Sometime after the events of 28 Weeks Later, the Rage Virus has returned, and a group of survivors must survive in a world ravaged by hordes of the infected.”

Here’s a closer look...

The fall/holiday season will see the release of several awards contenders shot on Kodak film: Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist, and Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer.”

Kodak, which had a momentous 2023 with more than 60 movies shot on film, also has Sean Baker’s “Anora” and Guadagnino’s “Challengers” as Oscar and ASC 35mm hopefuls.

Kodak had eight on-film premieres in competition at the 81st Venice Festival: “Maria,” “Queer,” “The Brutalist,” Athina Rachel Tsangari’s “Harvest,” Alex Ross Perry’s “Pavements,” Giovanni Perrier Tortorici’s “Diciannove,” Déa Kulumbegashvili’s “April,” and Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here.”

Prior to that, Kodak had 33 on-film premieres at Cannes. These included nine winners, including “Anora,” which earned the Palme d’Or prize; Matthew Rankin’s “Universal Language,” which took the first Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award; and “Grand Tour,” which grabbed Best Director for Miguel Gomes. In addition, Yorgos...

Acclaimed cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema can now add a viral short film to his résumé.

The “Oppenheimer” Oscar winner, who is known for his Christopher Nolan collaborations with additional features “Interstellar,” “Tenet,” and “Dunkirk,” has shot a Volvo commercial for the brand with director Marcus Ibanez. Van Hoytema has also previously collaborated with Spike Jonze, James Gray, and Jordan Peele.

In the ad titled “Meet the new Volvo EX90,” the Dutch-Swedish cinematographer captures a woman whose life flashes before her eyes as she’s crossing the street and a Volvo driver narrowly misses running her over.

The tagline reads, “Sometimes the moments that never happen matter the most.”

Van Hoytema previously told IndieWire that he constantly is trying to reinvigorate the language of cinema.

“To a certain extent, I am always trying to come up with something new in my own eyes, but work methods are like tics,” Van Hoytema said.

The 2010s have graced and terrified the audience with the most frightening movies in the history of cinema. From supernatural tales of ghosts and witches to psychological thrillers concealing deeper social messages, it has been a golden decade for the horror genre. Directors such as Jordan Peele and Robert Eggers have been able to deliver modern horror movies, pushing boundaries and reinventing older tropes, not only scaring but also surprising their viewers, and subverting their expectations.

Meanwhile, movies like The Conjuring and A Quiet Place introduced the fans of this haunting genre to new, thrilling universes, creating franchises to explore and expand upon. With classical horror elements, inventive plots, and charming characters, these films attracted a loyal fanbase. It is hard to pick the best horrors of the 2010s, but some movies, whether critically, artistically or commercially, stood out, becoming modern horror classics.

Let Me In (2010) Directed By Matt Reeves...

Since the birth of cinema, war movies have acted as powerful vehicles for delivering gut-wrenching anti-war messages exploring the deteriorating effects of conflict. While some films may present themselves as being anti-warfare, in the process, they often end up glorifying battle, and bloodshed looks like a heroic act to be lauded and praised. However, there have been some truly effective anti-war films that showcased the soulless, unnecessary, and inhumane nature of allowing citizens to fight and die for political causes from which they will not even benefit.

The greatest war movies of all time all echo themes around the need to end conflict, yet not all were entirely anti-war. Some of the most compelling anti-war movies were produced while conflicts were still ongoing and acted as pleas for those with the power to do so to end the needless violence and ensure soldiers were able to reunite with their families before facing unspeakable harm.

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For many cinephiles, there are few more cathartic emotions to experience than fear, which has taken audiences to some deep, dark, and terrifying places for over a century. Whether it's German expressionism, a monster picture, a creature feature, a slasher, or a tale of psychological torture, every successful horror movie knows how to delve deeply into the audience's subconscious, take root, and stay there.

Over the years, horror fans of all types have championed certain films, claiming their favorite is the genre's best. Usually, these are bonafide classics like The Exorcist, The Shining, and John Carpenter's The Thing, but as good as those movies are, none qualify for this particular list. When the IMDb, Metacritic, and Rotten Tomatoes ratings for the scariest films ever are averaged out and given equal weight, it results in the following list of the ten highest-rated horror movies of all time.

Get ready for a thrilling reunion in the world of horror! Scream queen Maika Monroe and talented filmmaker Chloe Okuno are set to team up again for a new horror movie called Brides. With Monroe's captivating performances and Okuno's visionary direction, we're in for a treat!

The duo previously worked together on the psychological thriller Watcher, which Okuno wrote and directed and Monroe starred in. They obviously work well together, so we expect their new project to be another masterpiece.

Brides is Okuno's next movie. She hasn't worked on any films since Watcher. Her most recent work was directing episodes of the TV shows Let the Right One In and Teacup. For Brides, she will be directing from a script she wrote, and Monroe will star. Additionally, Anthony Bregman and Stefanie Azpiazu will produce through their Likely Story film production company.

The horror flick is described as being "gothic...

Indie horror films have long been the breeding ground for some of cinema's most daring, imaginative, and unsettling works. Unlike major studio productions, independent horror often pushes creative boundaries, employing a low budget to deliver raw, unfiltered storytelling that haunts audiences.

From psychological torment to merciless gore, certain films embody the spirit of indie horror at its finest, showcasing the vision of filmmakers who make fear palpable without relying on blockbuster effects. The best indie horror movies have left a permanent mark on the genre by offering standout elements that challenge, frighten, and, in many cases, disturb audiences long after the credits roll. Also, when it comes to certain indie masterpieces, they are essential viewing for anyone looking to experience horror's depth and diversity, whether someone is a seasoned horror fan or a newcomer to the genre.

Movie Title

Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer

Rotten Tomatoes' Popcornmeter

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

67%

61%

Funny Games (1997)

73%

83%

Creep...

Plex is gearing up for an exciting lineup of films and series in November 2024. Viewers can look forward to a variety of new additions, including Blue Ridge, But I’m A Cheerleader, Call Jane, and Empire State. Cult classics like The Grudge, Hard Candy, House of 1000 Corpses, and The Midnight Meat Train are also hitting the platform, alongside more recent hits like Wind River and Where’d You Go, Bernadette? For fans of horror, thrillers, and emotional dramas, there’s no shortage of options. However, Plex is also bidding farewell to a number of films and shows in November. Among those leaving are 24 Hours to Live, Drive Angry, The Devil’s Rejects, Snowpiercer, and USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. If you’ve been meaning to watch these titles, now is the time to catch them before they disappear. For those looking to binge their favorites, many notable titles are still available for streaming.

Thanks to Monstrous Books' James Aquilone, Kolchak fans have a lot to be excited about, from reprints of the original books to new anthologies and, now, a 3-issue comic book series and collection from David Dastmalchian, Steve Niles, and Rodney Barnes! Just recently launched on Kickstarter, the campaign for the new comic book mini-series has already been successfully funded, and sees Kolchak face Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Werewolf. We caught up with Rodney Barnes, Steve Niles, and James Aquilone, who talked about their love of Kolchak, the new comic book project, their favorite monster movies, and more!

Rodney Barnes

How did you first get introduced to Carl Kolchak, and why is this character so important to you?

Rodney Barnes: I saw the first two movies of the week when I was a kid. Was a big fan of Richard Matheson, who wrote them and had written some of my...

Spoopy Season is upon us, dear readers, and any cineaste worth their weight in bone matter is likely scouring the world's many streaming services looking for the best fright flicks available. Most casual horror fans may be content to idly re-watch well-trodden classics like "Halloween," while more enterprising gorehounds will be studiously studying the carefully curated films on Shudder. The jaded, more experienced fright fans, however, will require stronger coffee to get their fear fix, and those brave souls may dive face-first into the overstuffed trough of Night Flight or Eternal Family, looking for oddities that the average soul cannot stand. Are you going to watch a gentle film like "Hocus Pocus" this October, or are you the type to try out "Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder in Hell?"

We can say for sure that actor Kevin Bacon, a great actor with impeccable taste, is an aficionado of the genre and likes...

Everyone’s got horror on the mind as we inch closer to Halloween, and that list of “everyone” most definitely includes Kevin Bacon, who has damn sure made his mark on the horror genre over the years. From appearing in the original Friday the 13th to starring in this year’s MaXXXine, Bacon’s horror pedigree is strong – and he’s a genre fan through and through.

Bacon notes in one of the bonus features for MaXXXine, “I’m a huge horror film fan.” And he’s building on that statement over on Twitter today, sharing some of his personal favorites.

“I love October because it’s all about apples and leaves changing and pumpkins, but it’s also about horror movies,” he begins the video. “So here are 20 of my favorite horror movies in no particular order.” The list naturally includes some films the Bacon family has appeared in,...

Plot: Follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive. Inspired by the New York Times bestselling novel “Stinger” by Robert McCammon.

Review: The name James Wan attached to a production likely makes you think you are in for something similar to The Conjuring or Insidious. The filmmaker has become synonymous with scary movies as much as he has directed big-budget tentpoles like Aquaman and Furious 7. Still, his prowess as a producer has fostered several cool projects under his Atomic Monster banner in recent years. The new series Teacup carries Wan’s name recognition but is the brainchild of Ian McCulloch. Inspired by the Robert McCammon novel Stinger, Teacup is a unique and original foray into genre storytelling that combines horror, science fiction, and family drama for a creepy drama series that is much...

“Salem’s Lot” (2024), based on Stephen King’s chilling novel, brings to life the terrifying story of a small town plagued by a vampire infestation. Now streaming on Max, as a hallmark of supernatural horror, it combines the eerie isolation of a town with a creeping, ancient evil, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and dread. If you’re a fan of the gothic and supernatural horror elements in “Salem’s Lot”, here’s a list of other movies that like the King adaptation evoke themes of dark forces lurking within seemingly ordinary places.

1. The Witch (2015)

Talking about movies Like Salem’s Lot, The Witch captures the dread of a close-knit community crumbling under the influence of dark supernatural forces.

Set in 17th-century New England, the film follows a family exiled to live near a mysterious forest, where they are slowly torn apart by paranoia and malevolent forces. The isolation of the family...

Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro hitches a ride on a jetplane to Ibiza in his latest music video for new single, “Pasaporte.” The artist paired the track’s release with the announcement that his fifth studio album Cosa Nuestra will drop Nov. 15.

A press release touts the upcoming LP as marking “a new chapter in Rauw Alejandro’s musical career,” and shares that “Pasaporte” is the project’s third single following previously released “Déjame Entrar” and “Touching The Sky.” The track features Mr. NaisGai, while the accompanying video was filmed...

Could “Challengers,” which moved from an awards season slot last year due to the strikes to a less prestigious March release date this year, actually be a contender after all? The psychosexual tennis drama generated a lot of buzz and a fairly impressive box office performance, and it wouldn’t be crazy to wonder if nominations for Zendaya (Best Actress), Josh O’Connor (Best Supporting Actor), and Justin Kuritzkes (Best Original Screenplay) are possible. Ok, they’re admittedly pretty unlikely, but we do predict that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross should be nominated for their pounding electronic score. The film is now available to stream on Prime Video.

“Challengers,” which hails from director Luca Guadagnino, is about a bizarre love triangle between Tashi (Zendaya), a tennis phenom whose career was derailed by an injury, her husband Art (Mike Faist), who became a superstar under her tutelage but is exhausted by his life,...

Max has picked up a new scripted law enforcement drama from Tomorrow Studios, a joint venture with ITV Studios known for “One Piece” and “Snowpiercer.”

The untitled project, which is being developed through a first look deal with Liz Garbus and Dan Cogan’s Story Syndicate and is loosely inspired by the life story of Geraldine Hart, follows a legendary FBI agent who returns to her hometown on Long Island to clean up mob corruption and quickly finds that the rot is even deeper and darker than she thought. Before long, she finds herself facing down nefarious entities from all sides.

In addition to Hart, Garbus and Cogan, the series is executive produced by Tomorrow Studios’ Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements and Alissa Bachner, Story Syndicate’s Nellie Reed, Eileen Myers, Anne Beagan and Anne Beagan Productions’ Stacey Sherman. Myers serves as writer on the project, while Garbus directs.

Hart most...

Exclusive: After world premiering his Angelina Jolie-helmed war drama Without Blood at the Toronto Film Festival, Academy Award nominee Demián Bichir has come aboard for a role in The Black Phone 2, Universal’s sequel to its 2022 horror hit from director Scott Derrickson.

Details as to Bichir’s role are being kept under wraps, as is the follow-up’s plot. As we were first to report, original cast members Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies and Miguel Mora are all set to return, along with Derrickson, who again co-wrote the script with partner C. Robert Cargill. Slated for release in theaters on October 17, 2025, the sequel will be produced by Derrickson, Cargill, and Blumhouse’s Jason Blum. Joe Hill, writer of the short story on which the first film was based, serves as executive producer.

Set in 1978 Colorado, The Black Phone watches as the shy 13-year-old Finney Shaw...

There's an extremely strong case to be made in favor of John Carpenter being dubbed the master of horror. Although 2010's "The Ward" was Carpenter's last feature film foray into the genre (along with producing the "Halloween" reboot trilogy), the director's diverse oeuvre is profound enough to sustain us for the ages. Sure, every horror-head would love for Carpenter to helm another project, but for now, all we can do is cherish what we have and hope for the best. In the meantime, we can also talk about an underrated horror gem that Carpenter absolutely adores.

When asked about contemporary horror and its ability to scare him, Carpenter told Comic Book that it is hard for him to distance himself from the lens of a filmmaker while watching them, and scrutinize "the plumbing" of modern horror. However, Carpenter considers a film scary if it is able to bypass these instincts...

Some people claim you can’t touch anything Ingmar Bergman was involved in. Tomas Alfredson is not one of these people.

“Not everything Bergman did was genius, but a lot of it was,” he tells Variety. Swedish director is behind new series “Faithless,” premiering in Toronto and based on the 2000 film directed by Liv Ullman and written by Bergman himself.

“This is his most autobiographical work. Ever. He started writing it several times and couldn’t finish, because he was so tormented by guilt. There was something in this material I felt could tackle in a different way. It would be different if I remade ‘The Seventh Seal’ or ‘Fanny and Alexander,’ but this? It was open for reinterpretation.”

Alfredson, of “Let the Right One In” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” fame, made a show that’s “very free from the original,” he underlines. Even though Lena Endre returns to the role of Marianne,...

The story of Faithless, the new six-part TV series from director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) is familiar to European arthouse fans. Renowned director David Howard, 73, is reunited with the great love of his life, the actress Marianne Vogler, 75, and forced to reflect on the painful consequences of their affair decades earlier when Marianne was married to David’s best friend, Markus. In 2000, actress-director Liv Ullmann (Cries and Whispers), muse and frequent collaborator to the legendary Swedish director Ingmar Bergman (The Seventh Seal), adapted the story from Bergman’s previously unproduced screenplay. The tale of lust, adultery, and the damage wrought by desire, premiered in Cannes and has been hailed as a modern-day classic.

For his limited series adaptation, Alfredson teamed with screenwriter Sara Johnsen (July 22) to reexamine and expand Ullmann and Bergman’s original story. The basics of the plot are the same.

The Toronto Film Festival is awash with international titles. Led by Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed Of The Sacred Fig” and Gints Zilbalodis’ “Flow,” the festival’s huge Centrepiece spread alone has 38 titles from outside Canada and the U.S. The Discovery section has another 18.

Not all Toronto international titles are world premieres, however. Here are 16 which are sparking good word of mouth. Variety isn’t claiming they are the best. The buzz might not be justified. But they are certainly worth tracking.

“Sunshine,” (Antoinette Jadaone, Philippines)

Anima, the Filipino studio behind Erik Matti’s Venice winner “On The Job 2: The Missing 8” and Sundance winner “Leonor Will Never” Die, joined Project 8 Projects to co-produce Antoinette Jadaone’s teenage pregnancy drama “Sunshine.” It turns on a young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs,...

Swedish novelist John Ajvide Lindqvist moved audiences with his monster hit Let the Right One In, and now he is breaking hearts again through the screen version of his novel Handling of the Undead. However, fans may have missed his most startling story of all: Border, a dark fantasy about a social outcast who learns that she is not a human being, but a legendary troll.

This 2018 Lindqvist adaptation by Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi uses powerful performances and stunning special effects to weave a spellbinding story about the quest for identity. The film's bewitching beauty and daring originality have won it rave reviews and a slew of awards, yet it has remained somewhat obscure. It is possible that the general public is just not ready for the challenges posed by Border, but its provocative political themes may make it a sleeper hit in years to come.

Border Features a Hero...

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Film at Lincoln Center

An essential series of Jacques Rozier restorations begins.

Roxy Cinema

Fidelio, our four-film program with Chapo Trap House’s Movie Mindset, has an encore with Eyes Wide Shut on a spectacular 35mm print this Friday and Saturday, the latter day also bringing The Ghost Writer on 35mm; Nathan Silver presents Crossing Delancey on 35mm and Mike Leigh’s Meantime; “City Dudes” returns on Saturday.

Bam

Films by Spike Lee, Chantal Akerman, Lucrecia Martel, and more play in “Sweat!“; recent restorations are given a showcase, including a special premiere of The Spook Who Sat By the Door.

Museum of the Moving Image

70mm prints of 2001, Tenet, and Far and Away screen.

Film Forum

A Blaxploitation series, featuring classics and discoveries alike, begins; Army of Shadows continues.

Anthology Film Archives

Buñuel and Dalí play in “Essential Cinema.”

Museum of Modern Art...

The series adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s Faithless from Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson will debut in competition as part of the Primetime & Short Cuts line up at this year’s Toronto Film Festival. Scroll down for the full list.

The series will screen on Wednesday 11th September at TIFF before hitting Svt and Arte France in 2025. Fremantle is handling international sales on the series. We shared the first look at the project and interviewed Alfredson back in February. You can check that out here.

Billed as a “searing tale of love and betrayal,” the project is a six-part TV series based on the 2000 feature Faithless, which Ingmar Bergman penned for his former partner Liv Ullmann. The original film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and starred Lena Endre and Erland Josephson. The entire series is directed by Alfredson from scripts adapted by Norwegian writer Sara Johnsen.

Christopher Nolan cemented his status as the crown prince of IMAX with his record-breaking Oppenheimer run, but fans will have to wait a while longer to see Interstellar on the biggest screen around. But wait, you might be thinking. Wasn’t IMAX supposed to screen Interstellar in 70mm literally next month?...

For decades, Hammer Studios was synonymous with monsters. And heaving breasts. And blood. Their classics “Curse of Frankenstein” and “Horror of Dracula” helped yank iconic movie monsters out of their spooky old castles and into a violent, sensual cinematic era (which also had castles). There was nothing wrong with these iconic boogeymen. They just needed a bit of updating.

Hammer Studios closed its doors in 1979, but the icons persisted. Since the production company came back in the late 2000s, they’ve shied away from the classic creature pantheon, instead releasing what we can generously call a mixed-bag of paranormal potpourri. They’ve made at least one excellent film — Matt Reeves’ “Let Me In,” a surprisingly sturdy remake of Tomas Alfredson’s acclaimed “Let the Right One In” — followed by some respectable (and less-respectable) thrillers, and a smattering of haunted houses.

Now, finally, they have unleashed “Doctor Jekyll,” an old-fashioned monster...

The English remake of Speak No Evil risks losing the original's terrifying element of miscommunication between European families. Big names like James McAvoy in the remake may attract viewers, but the psychological aspect may not add much to the original story. The new setting of a British country estate in the remake may offer new cultural dynamics, but the original's impact from the language barrier may be lost.

The remake of Speak No Evil starring James McAvoy is risky because of one crucial element from the Danish original. The film sees James McAvoy return to horror, and is released only a couple of years after the 2022 horror movie of the same name. The positively reviewed original Speak No Evil was a foreign language film, but an English remake takes away some of the original film's most terrifying and effective elements.

The original Speak No Evil is about a Danish and...

Rauw Alejandro has dropped a new single, “Déjame Entrar.” The smooth-talking Latin track was co-produced by El Zorro and Mag, and follows Alejandro’s recent song “Touching The Sky.”

The single is accompanied by a music video, which was shot in New York City and directed by Martin Seipel and produced by Absnt. The cinematic clip features an appearance from actor Adrian Brody, who plays a friend of Alejandro inquiring about his latest flame.

Alejandro debuted “Déjame Entrar” last week during his performance for the Today Show Citi Concert Series.

The transformative relationships of a trio of women is captured by a writer in the latest Starz novel series adaptation.

“Three Women,” based on Lisa Taddeo’s bestselling book of the same name, debuts on the network with a star-studded cast. Shailene Woodley plays writer Gia, who is grieving the death of her family and sets out to interview three “ordinary” women to tell her their stories of love, life, and loss. DeWanda Wise, Betty Gilpin, and Gabrielle Creevy play the interviewees.

The official “Three Women” synopsis reads: Three women are on a crash course to radically overturn their lives. Lina (Gilpin), a homemaker in suburban Indiana, is a decade into a passionless marriage when she embarks on an affair that quickly becomes all-consuming and transforms her life. Sloane (Wise), a glamorous entrepreneur in the Northeast, has a committed open marriage with Richard (Blair Underwood), until two sexy new strangers threaten their aspirational love story.

Editor’s note: this list was originally published in October 2022. It has since been updated with new selections.

If horror’s limitless capacity for remakes, re-imaginings, and spinoffs teaches us anything, it’s that our nightmares never really change. Since before “Nosferatu” darkened the silent film scene in 1922 — heck, even before Bram Stoker terrified readers with “Dracula” in 1897 — vampires have transfixed audiences with their chilling blend of romance and menace. Movies like “Twilight” and “Interview with the Vampire” are memorable for weaving epic undead dramas for the big screen, but vampire sagas have arguably seen more creative permutations on TV, with whole casts of blood-sucking stars appearing in shows like “True Blood” and “Castlevania.”

The best vampire TV shows examine the archetypal underpinnings of the gothic-infused subgenre by referencing them in unexpected ways. Classic situational comedies like “Dark Shadows” make entertaining light of garlic, coffins, and the (pun intended) stakes of it all.

Since Showtime is a pay-for-view cable channel, the execs aren't tied to the ratings like regular commercial channels. However, they still have to run programs that will keep viewers subscribed. Which of their shows will be cancelled or renewed? We'll have to wait and see.

Scripted Showtime shows listed: The Affair, American Gigolo, Back to Life, Billions, Black Monday, Californication, The Chi, City on a Hill, The Curse, Dexter, Dexter: New Blood, Dice, Episodes, Escape at Dannemora, The First Lady, Flatbush Misdemeanors, A Gentleman in Moscow, George & Tammy, The Good Lord Bird, Happyish, Homeland, House of Lies, I Love That for You, I'm Dying Up Here, Kidding, The L Word: Generation Q, Let the Right One In, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Masters of Sex, Moonbase 8, Nurse Jackie, On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Our Cartoon President, Penny Dreadful, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,...

Damian must face a new Robin cloned from Batman, created by Zur-En-Arrh to eliminate crime in Gotham. Damian and Tim work together to apprehend this new Robin. The new Robin embodies Damian's negative qualities, presenting an interesting opportunity for future confrontations.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #148!There's a new Robin in town and he's got everything to be Damian Wayne's greatest nemesis yet. Batman's ultimate contingency Zur-En-Arrh is out to rid the world of crime for good, but even this twisted Dark Knight can't do it alone.

While the rest of the Bat-Family tried to figure out what had happened to the real Bruce Wayne, Damian joined Zur-En-Arrh, believing the impostor to be his father. But once Batman's son realized the truth, Zur-En-Arrh revealed he had a new Boy Wonder already lined up, and this dark Robin could become the greatest opponent Damian Wayne has ever known.

Zur-En-Arrh...

Tim Drake and Damian Wayne put their fierce rivalry aside in Batman #148 to team up and defeat a new evil Robin. The history of animosity between Tim and Damian is explored, showcasing their growth and evolved teamwork. The excellent teamwork displayed by the two Robins hints at a peaceful coexistence and future collaborations in DC Comics.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman #148!The most fierce Robin rivalry in DC Comics history can finally be put to bed as two heroes finally find common ground. An intense fight finally helps Tim Drake and Damian Wayne put their years of animosity behind them.

In a team as big as the Bat-Family, there's bound to be some bad blood. But rarely has there been a rivalry more fierce than the one between Bruce Wayne's adopted son and his biological one. However, when a new threat presents itself, the two Boys Wonder put all...

This is a slow weekend in an already slow summer movie season, so it’s the perfect time to catch up with spring’s best horror release and a handful of new indies that are debuting on digital platforms.

The contender to watch this week: “The First Omen“

At a time when many franchises are slowly cratering, “The First Omen” has turned out to be one of 2024’s biggest surprises. Arkasha Stevenson‘s handsome and terrifying prequel depicts the events right before Demian, the Og Antichrist, came around. If that sounds unnecessary, it is — and yet the film’s quality absolutely justifies its existence. “The First Omen” is still playing in a smattering of theaters, having grossed $53.7 worldwide, but now it’s available for $19.99 on VOD.

Other contenders:

“Gasoline Rainbow”: Mubi is having a major year, with two buzzy Cannes titles — “The Substance” and “The Girl with the Needle...