Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
– (2018) – With hopes of garnering four million views, a group of webcasters tread upon a supposedly ghost-riddled mental facility. Has some fun early on when setting up characters and their exploration scenarios, but drags its feet ensuing the initial investigation. The “scariest” moments are comical, while everything else amounts to typical found footage fodder.
Mad God
– (2021) – Varying forms of human-like puppets and strange creatures co-exist in a dark underworld of filth and experimentation. Figuring out what’s actually happening is next to impossible since the “plot” is fueled by camera movement over dialog. The look is certainly unique, as the stop-motion visuals are impressive, but finding a point? Good luck.
Megan Is Missing
– (2011) – A promiscuous young woman who mostly does as she pleases disappears after meeting someone online. Begins as a slice of life film about plucky teens partying and sharing tales of hookups, but then flicks a switch and becomes a pitch black torture flick complete with sexual assault and live burial. Showcases needless atrocities that happen to innocent people, but be forewarned: the tone goes from chipper to utterly depressing in an instant.
Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare
– (2025) – After two boys are abducted by a murderous Peter Pan, one of their sisters goes looking for them. There’s virtually no plot to explore, as this only exists to further darken a childhood fable. For example, Tinkerbell is fixated on heroin instead of pixie dust. Hardy-har-har! If that impresses you then you’re in for the thrill of your life. For those expecting an actual purpose, staring at a wall for 90-minutes might serve you better.
Shiver Me Timbers
– (2025) – A meteor fragment makes its way into an old sailor’s pipe and turns him into a jacked-up killing machine. While the acting is mostly terrible, the players at least attempt livelihood in their underwritten characters. Since the human aspect leaves a lot to be desired, there’s not much else to focus on but gore, which is undoubtedly outrageous at times. Moves fast, spills blood, and doesn’t last long.
Book of Monsters
– (2018) – Various monsters escape from a book during a teenager’s birthday party, and it’s up to some guests to put them back where they belong. The creature mayhem is okay, as the F/X are top-notch, but everything else is a blithering bore. Could have been a fun time if the human characters were half as involving as the villains.
– (2006) – An inmate at an all boys correctional facility tries to overcome death by exploiting another. Never does anything to irritate, but never does anything to invigorate. The objective isn’t clear, and very few ideas make sense, but the rapid pace makes for an easy watch.
– (1988) – An abused child once plagued by visions of ghosts sees them again in her “stable” adulthood. Tries building a credible mystery in a ghostly city landscape, but good luck not comparing this to The Sentinel. Far from unique, but does offer some horror attempts and quite a few nude scenes.
– (1996) – A werewolf who’s staying with his brother’s family enters a turf war with their dog. Bad to begin with, but that the dog garners so much focus is ridiculous. The FX range from decent to terrible, while the plot idles at zero.
Backwoods
– (1987) – A camping couple befriend a hillbilly who has a vicious son. Gets off to a decent start, but before long common sense takes a back seat to an overlong cat and mouse chase. Almost okay, but lacks excitement.
Man’s Best Friend
– (1993) – A dog who’s mixed with the DNA of other animals is unleashed as his bad behavior worsens. The experiment angle has some engaging moments, but everything that takes place in suburbia gets tiring in a hurry. The characters (and dog) are too unlikable to root for or against.
Black Sunday
– (1960) – Murdered apprentices of Satan return from the dead and make trouble for castle inhabitants. The atmosphere isn’t bad, and the plot is almost okay, but not a lot happens and the pace crawls. A polished bore.
Zombie 4: After Death
– (1988) – Zombies are on the rise thanks to voodoo and a reading from the Book of the Dead. Doesn’t make any sense, and the same gory actions repeat themselves straight to the climax where zombies standing outside a house wait to get shot. A bore.
Poltergeist (1982)
– (1982) – A suburban family loses their youngest daughter to the angry forces within their haunted house. Steadily introduces characters and ghostly happenings while never failing to pile on one nerve wracking moment after another. One of the most emotional and fascinating films in horror history.
Troma’s War
– (1988) – Survivors of an island plane crash battle soldiers who think they’re the enemy. Full of Troma’s political incorrectness, but also filled with too many elongated shootouts. Repetitive, to say the least, but offers a surplus of gore and violence.