The Hole
– (2009) – Two brothers discover an opening in their basement that unleashes various forms of evil. The plot is so standard that the main thing you’ll find yourself invested in is how much this steals from other films. (Poltergeist, Flatliners, The Gate, Stir of Echoes, The Sixth Sense, etc.) The acting ranges from okay to overmuch, while the intelligence level idles low. On the plus side, it moves fast and doesn’t last long.
The Monkey
– (2025) – Twin brother who once got rid of a cursed toy find themselves in the same murderous trouble as adults. A disjointed outing that follows a specific pattern: dull and rambling one moment, jarring and bombastic the next. None of the characters have any depth or are remotely likeable, but the sporadic gore does offer a few chuckles throughout.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
– (2022) – A teenager remains connected to his deceased friend through the cell phone he was buried with. The concept itself is okay, but it’s told in such an operatic fashion that the gimmick never feels plausible since there are too many serious dramatics that clash with the supernatural. A ghost righting the wrongs in someone’s life is a fun idea, but fun is exactly what this lacks.
Until Dawn
– (2025) – A group of teens have to figure out how to survive a time loop where they repeatedly die one night after another. Many of the horror aspects are top notch, especially the practical F/X, but every line of dialog is apt to cause a headache. Watching these insufferable characters constantly die is a hoot, but redundancy does settle in rather quickly.
Werewolf in a Womens Prison
– (2006) – A woman accused of killing her boyfriend is imprisoned alongside corrupt guards and lesbian convicts, but she easily manages to outlast them since she’s a werewolf. This is by far one of the most maniacal low-budget festivals of cheese to ever grace the direct-to-DVD era, from rampant nudity to bountiful blood and gore. The pace is so rapid that any shortcomings are easily overlooked (even the typo in the title), leading to one of the most ambitious outings of its kind.
Fear Street: Prom Queen
– (2025) – Someone’s picking off queen candidates during prom night. Much of the backstory is a bit too familiar when you consider the existence of Scream, but when plot is cast aside what’s here isn’t the worst. Yes, the characters are all types and the killer’s motive is ridiculous, but plenty of blood is spilled throughout. Takes liberties with the date, since much of this is inauthentic to the actual 1988.
your a-z guide to obscure & classic horror movies
– (2002) – A human/vampire tracks down another underworld of bloodsuckers with help from a team that betrays him. More of the same in look, tone, pace, dialog and perpetual martial arts. Has a weaker villain this time around, and is rather dull overall.
– (1988) – Kirstie goes to hell to find her father, but discovers demonic mischief along the way. Incredibly dull, and has a cheapish look, but certainly doesn’t lack imagination or gore. A lesser companion to the original, but picking up where the previous entry left off works well, and Dr. Channard makes for an exceptional new enemy.
– (2023) – A group of friends are picked off by a mannequin that kills when not looked upon. If not for some unintentional humor this would be a complete washout. The writing is lazy, the acting is stiff, and the attempts at tension are far more corny than shocking. Could become a cult favorite for all the wrong reasons.
The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
– (1977) – A family on their way to California become stranded in a desert where the hills conceal a cannibalistic clan. Involving from the start, and doesn’t wait long before becoming relentlessly violent and suspenseful. Some events border on silly, but most are raw and unforgiving.
The Breed
– (2006) – A group of friends retreat to an island that’s inhabited by scientifically engineered dogs. Paltry from the opening scene, and pedestrian throughout. A waste of time that’s far more silly than tense.
The Dead Are Alive
– (1972) – Murders lead some to believe that not everyone who’s buried in their area is dead. Brutally boring and confusing, mainly because no character or possible outcome is worth worrying about. Doesn’t have a single mentionable horror element. Awful.
The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake
– (1959) – A voodoo doctor collects the heads of the Drake clan on each of their sixtieth birthdays. An involving and almost creepy premise that falls victim to too much drama and a pace that refuses to move.
The Devil’s Carnival
– (2012) – A man searches for his son in a carnival where stories of lost souls are sung. Only 55-minutes long, but still manages to create 55 metric tons of irritation. What little story is provided stinks, and the overacted songs all sound the same.
Meat Weed Madness
– (2006) – A group of girls smoke weed laced with human meat, take their clothes off, and are harassed by cheap monsters. Takes zaniness to new levels of nothingness, and can never be classified as a narrative film. The nudity is impressive, but most everything else is rotten.