Finally logging the second half of this year’s challenge of watching new-to-me horror every single day for 100 days, leading up October 31st! If you missed following along on Instagram, here are the last 50 films – features, shorts, and for the first time, I included a series! – I’ve watched this year:
Day 51: IN THE SOIL (2021)
Directed by Casper Rudolf Emil Kjeldsen
Checking out some horror shorts on Short of the Week for something new! In this one, Karoline’s father, Kjeld, becomes obsessed with digging a hole in their backyard. This was 15 minutes of solid dread, with an amazing score and a hell of an ending. Worth a watch.
Day 52: BABY RUBY (2022)
Directed by Bess Wohl
Successful blogger Jo (Noémie Merlant) has every moment of her pregnancy and delivery planned out: a curated baby closet, a tasteful nursery, chic baby bump ‘fits, and a picture perfect baby shower. But once baby Ruby arrives, Jo’s world begins to crumble as she suffers from hallucinations and lost time.
This is one of those films that’s people are gonna argue isn’t actually “horror” — but I found it to be effectively terrifying as something that shows how destructive and misunderstood postpartum depression can be. Lots of interesting twists and turns here, and Merlant is absolutely fantastic.
Day 53: BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS (2015)
Directed by Brian James O’Connell
After Evan (Fran Kranz)’s college rival Max (Pedro Pascal) shows up and steals his job promotion, some office workers disappear while others start acting very strange. Turns out Max is actually a vampire hell bent on creating a supernatural sales force.
I’ve somehow never heard of this before, which is amazing since Pedro & Fran are both in it. This funny indie film about literal corporate vampires is a lot of fun! Good digs at office “bros,” and a very splatter-filled ending.
Day 54: THE FRIENDSHIP GAME (2022)
Directed by Scooter Corkle
Cotton (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) and her friend Zooza (Peyton List) find a mysterious device at a yard sale called “The Friendship Game” and are told but its owner that they should only play it with their true friends. That night they play with their other besties Robbie and Courtney, and shortly after sharing their deepest desires, Cotton disappears.
I gotta say that even trying to write out what happened in this film was rough because the story truly made no sense and the arc was nonexistent. I can’t figure out what this was trying to be, but whatever it was didn’t succeed. About the only positive I can give it was that the performances were good across the board.
Day 55: SKIN & BONE (2023)
Directed by Eli Powers
Another horror short for today’s selection — This one stars Amanda Seyfried as Serene, a farm owner who hires a drifter named Christian (Thomas Sadoski) to help her with chores. Everything’s going fine until Christian starts hearing voices and having strange hallucinations. The ending was not at all what I expected, and I’ll just add that Amanda can join my coven anytime. Watched on Short of the Week!
Day 56: COMING HOME IN THE DARK (2021)
Directed by James Ashcroft
School teacher Hoagie (Erik Thomson), his wife Jill (Miriama McDowell), and their two sons are enjoying a picnic when a pair of drifters approaches. What starts as a robbery turns into a nightmare road trip of revenge.
This has great atmosphere and got off to a shocking start, with the rest of it settling into a very, very slow burn. It asks some interesting questions and the ending definitely didn’t go in any of the directions I thought it would! A solid thriller with some good surprises.
Day 57: THE CELLAR (2022)
Directed by Brendan Muldowney
Kiera (Elisha Cuthbert) and her family move to a giant old mansion in the country. After their daughter Ellie goes missing, Kiera notices strange symbols carved above each door and mathematical equations etched into the cellar’s concrete. Determined to find her daughter, she digs deeper into the mysteries of the house.
Math horror and references to Schrödinger’s cat weren’t what I was expecting from this! This is a real slow mover, with most of the creepy stuff not picking up until 45 minutes in. It was fun to see early-2000’s darling Elisha in something again, but this is a strange, meandering, journey to a hell dimension and I think they tried to jam too many ideas into it.
Day 58: THE DEEPER YOU DIG (2019)
Directed by The Adams Family
In the aftermath of a roadside accident, the line between the living and the dead collapses for a mother, a daughter and a stranger.
Truly impressive indie horror! I’m familiar with the Adams from their second film, HELLBENDER, and this was just as fantastic. I am absolutely in love with the atmosphere they created, and the innovative ways they amp up the terror in this one. Fan for life!
Day 59: CARGO (2017)
Directed by Ben Howling & Yolanda Ramke
Andy (Martin Freeman) & Kay (Susie Porter) are trying their best to survive a zombie apocalypse. While looking for food and supplies for themselves and their infant daughter, Rosie, they both become infected. With less than 48 hours before the virus takes hold, Andy goes on a quest to find someone willing to take Rosie and raise her as their own.
This was so good! A super tense ride that touches a lot of different issues, punctuated by bleak, hopeless terror. You really find yourselves rooting for the protagonist — and it has an incredible ending. A++ Australian zombie film.
Day 60: GHOST STORY (1981)
Directed by John Irvin
Four lifelong friends meet each week as part of “Their Chowder Society,” an informal men’s club where they try to scare each other with ghost stories. After one of their sons dies in a bizarre accident, the group begins to have recurring nightmares about a long buried secret they all share.
I can’t believe I’ve never seen this before! But omggggg what a hilarious adaptation – completely over-the-top sex scenes; some very unconvincing “twin” acting; young Alice Krige giving her scream queen ALL; and a bunch of old dudes being hysterical, with Fred Astaire looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. Needless to say, I ate it up! 5 stars for making me laugh over and over.
Day 61: OFFSEASON (2021)
Directed by Mickey Keating
After Marie (Jocelin Donahue) receives a letter saying her mother’s grave has been disturbed on Palm Island, she travels there and discovers the townspeople have a nefarious reason for calling her “home.”
This was surprisingly good! Strong Lovecraft vibes and effectively creepy atmosphere with absolutely perfect performances — Donahue (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL), Richard Brake, and one of my absolute favorite actresses, Melora Walters (as mom). + I’m always pleased to see Joe Swanberg pop up in a horror movie. Really enjoyed this one.
Day 62: THE DINNER AFTER (2021)
Directed by Matty Crawford
A guilt-stricken Angela, visits her parents for what at first seems to be a routine family dinner, only for a painful truth to bubble to the surface, descending the evening into a nightmare.
Loved this vibe! Nightmares manifested by guilt; unsettling feelings of not knowing if you’re awake or asleep — unable to tell what’s real and what’s not. A very tight 12 minute short!
Day 63: NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU (2023)
Directed by Brian Duffield
Hated by everyone in her town because of a traumatic accident 10 years prior, Brynn (Kaitlyn Dever) has no one to turn to when an alien invades her house and continually terrorizes her.
Kaitlyn Dever carrying an entire film while only saying 3 words TOTAL is really something! Lots to dig into here about guilt and grief and forgiveness, but even without all of that, being able to tell a whole story without dialog is super fucking impressive!
Day 64: OLD PEOPLE (2023)
Directed by Andy Fetscher
Ella (Melika Foroutan) travels back to her small hometown to attend her sister’s wedding and visit her father, whom she’s been estranged from since she left her husband, taking her son & daughter away with her to the city. After the wedding, all of the elders from the local nursing home surround the house Ella and her family are staying in and start a revenge-filled night of terror.
Listen I was expecting a quiet, unsettling cult vibe from this — and it’s 100% NOT THAT. This is an absolutely relentless bloodbath fueled by rage at being forgotten and abused. At once terrifying and heartbreaking – a roller coaster of tension and WTF moments! German with English subtitles.
Day 65: THEY/THEM (2022)
Directed by John Logan
A group of teenagers at an LGBTQ+ conversion camp endure unsettling psychological techniques while being stalked by a mysterious masked killer.
There are some good ideas here and all the teen actors are FANTASTIC — but something about it didn’t quite come together for me. I think if they had picked up the pacing and made it a bit more camp, it might have worked better.
Day 66: HONEYDEW (2020)
Directed by Devereux Milburn
After their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, a young couple seeks shelter with a strange elderly woman and her injured son. After dinner the duo starts experiencing hallucinations and suspecting that something about their host isn’t quite right.
This is a whole trip! It does suffer from unlikable protagonists syndrome and moves a bit slow to get you to the HOLYSHIT or it all — but hang in there! The last 20 minutes are totally bizarre and very unsettling, including the strangest Lena Dunham cameo I’ve ever seen.
Day 67: THE ONES YOU DIDN’T BURN (2022)
Directed by Elise Finnerty
After their father passes away, two siblings return to their old family farm to sell off the land, but once there they become entangled with the locals and haunted by their ancestors’ dark past.
This is a quiet little indie film that takes a bit to get to where it’s going, but it’s got great imagery and you can feel the love that went into making it. I will also always love any movie about a vengeful coven who drives men crazy in order to reclaim what rightfully belongs to them! Totally my jam.
Day 68: VICIOUS (2015)
Directed by Oliver Park
A young woman comes home one night to find her front door unlocked and suspects she might not be alone in the house.
Another horror short! Lots of tension packed into 12 minutes, with some really great scenes of menacing things moving in the dark. I just wasn’t a big fan of the reveal at the end.
Day 69: DISGUISE (2023)
Directed by Tyler Czajkowski
A woman discovers a malevolent presence in her house that can disguise itself as anything.
Another horror short! This was a super tense 10-minutes with lots of expected jump scares and one very, very weird ending
Day 70: MONSTROUS (2022)
Directed by Chris Sivertson
Angry at her husband for a betrayal, Laura (Christina Ricci) decides to make a fresh start with her son Cody in a small, idyllic town. Soon after arriving, Cody claims a monster from the lake is crawling into his room at night to attack him.
This is definitely a well made film — partly vintage B-movie homage; partly a portrait of a woman struggling to escape a traumatic situation. It’s real real pretty and I appreciated that, but it fell a little flat for me. Loved seeing Colleen Camp in a small role tho!
Day 71: HORSEMEN (2009)
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund
Detective Aiden Breslin (Dennis Quaid) investigates a series of murders tied to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse which leads to an even more terrifying discovery.
A decent enough thriller with some good gore – SEVEN meets MURDER BY NUMBERs meets THE FOLLOWING. Not that hard to figure out where it was going, but a few scenes did shock me and I sure did like watching Ziyi Zhang really go for it.
Day 72: AMONG THE SHADOWS (2009)
Directed by Tiago Mesquita
Private investigator Kristy Wolfe (lolololol) must track down her uncle’s killer while navigating the political agendas of warring vampire and werewolf clans ruthlessly trying to reach the highest levels of power.
The Lifetime television version of Underworld! Yes, that’s Lindsay Lohan. No, I can’t recommend this to you for *any* reason. 
Day 73: DEF BY TEMPTATION (1990)
Directed by James Bond III
A gorgeous temptress who is a succubus in disguise is murdering African American men in New York City. It is up to Joel, a young man training to be a minister, his friend K who is an actor, and a cop who investigates supernatural activity, to stop her.
This is the only film in Criterion’s 90’s Horror collection that I hadn’t seen! This moves pretty slow and some sections are a bit clunky, but it’s such a great indie horror time capsule with some interesting layers. Glad I finally saw it!
Day 74: NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE (2021)
Directed by Santiago Menghini
After her mother passes away, Ambar (Cristina Rodlo) moves from Mexico to Cleveland, Ohio. In search of a cheap place to stay, she finds a dilapidated boarding house run by a man named Red, who claims he’s fixing the place up. As soon as she moves in, Ambar starts hearing and seeing strange things — frightening specters that try to warn her of what’s to come.
This is absolutely drenched in incredible atmosphere, and seamlessly blends real-life horrors with supernatural ones. Thoroughly enjoyed being creeped out by this! And I was NOT prepared for the nightmare that emerges at the end…
Day 75: IMPETIGORE (2019)
Directed by Joko Anwar
After Maya is violently attacked by a man who claims to be protecting her, she journeys to her long-abandoned family home in search of money. Once there she uncovers her father’s terrifying history and faces the wrath of a cursed village.
This is absolutely WILD! I had no idea where it was going at any given point in the story, and was literally on the edge of my seat and saying WTF the entire time. Also some of the most impressive practical F/X I’ve seen. Indonesian with English subtitles.
Day 76: INHERITANCE (2021)
Directed by Annalise Lockhart
On Norra’s 25th birthday, she and her brother inherit the deed to their family’s small cabin. With this auspicious birthday, she starts seeing the spirits that have been haunting her brother and father for years.
A really interesting short with lots of layers and great performances — not particularly spooky or scary, but worth a watch!
Day 77: TOTALLY KILLER (2023)
Directed by Nahnatchka Khan
35 years after a masked man named the “sweet sixteen killer” murders three teen girls, he returns on Halloween night to terrorize the town again. While being chased by the killer, Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) accidentally time travels back to the year of the original murders (1987) and attempts to solve who the killer is before the girls are murdered — which is complicated, since her 16-year-old mom is also BFFs with them.
This was fun! I’m always skeptical about 80s set stories, but the aesthetic felt just right, and some of the funniest moments of the film are Jamie’s reactions to how things were in that era. Some surprises here, and I appreciated the dig at true crime podcasters. Kiernan is GREAT, as are all the actors playing the teen girls. Also some legit slasher kills! Worth a watch. And to those who are worried that this is too much like THE FINAL GIRLS, don’t be! It’s a very different film.
Day 78: V/H/S/85 (2023) (2023): anthology with 5 different directors listed below.
TOTAL COPY, D. David Bruckner
Presented as a made-for-TV documentary, the film begins with a special about a group of scientists who discover an unusual, slime-covered boy whom they name Rory. This story serves as the wrapper for the rest, delivered in 6 parts. There’s some fun 80s nostalgia here, and I laughed out loud at the end.
NO WAKE, D. Mike P. Nelson
A group of friends go camping, with all getting shot and killed while waterskiing on the lake. After being mysteriously reanimated, they plot their revenge against the killer. A nice, tight thriller with great F/X and an unexpected tie to another segment.
GOD OF DEATH, D. Gigi Saul Guerrero
During a Mexican newscast, an earthquake topples the studio with further tremors trapping a rescue team. The group is forced to go deeper underground to find an escape route — deep enough that they run into the lair of an ancient Aztec God. Lots of good moments in this one, with the ending REALLY shining!
TKNOGD, D. Natasha Kermani
A performance artist focuses on the idea of technology killing faith in old Gods and bringing forth a new form of worship that is dangerously disconnecting society. When she incorporates VR into her piece, she discovers that her prediction is more than just art. A nicely done short that twists the fear of tech into something very sinister!
AMBROSIA, D. Mike P. Nelson
A teenage girl named Ruth is shown recording a family gathering celebrating something special she’s recently accomplished. As the party progresses, an ancient family ritual is revealed and it is Ruth’s first time participating. Really well done! Seemed like you’re watching a legit 80’s party …
DREAMKILL, D. Scott Derrickson
A police detective investigating a series of brutal murders is puzzled by their similarities to video tapes he’s received a the station weeks prior to each kill. After arresting the person who mailed each tape, he discovers the man had a psychic ability to see future murders in his dreams, which her recorded on VHS. Interesting premise and felt like a very nostalgic storyline.
Overall I feel like it’s worth a watch— it’s not my favorite of the series, but it’s entertaining enough and I like that they keep shuffling in a variety of directors.
Day 79: APPENDAGE (2023)
Directed by Anna Zlokovic
Fashion designer Hannah’s darkest inner thoughts manifest into a grotesque monster that feeds on her insecurities in order to go stronger and take over her life.
I was highly entertained by this one — big BASKET CASE vibes for sure! The cast is wonderful and it manages to present serious issues in a ridiculous way perfectly. A great body horror/snatcher hybrid!
Day 80: 13 CAMERAS (2015)
Directed by Victor Zarcoff
Struggling newlyweds Claire and Ryan move into a new house with a gruff, slightly strange landlord named Gerald. Claire is immediately creeped out — and with good reason! Gerald watches their every move on the hidden cameras he’s installed throughout the house.
Catching up on this series in preparation for the third installment, 15 CAMERAS, releasing this Friday the 13th! This was pretty great; good thrills supported with a viscerally unsettling performance by Neville Archambault as the creeper.
Day 81: 14 CAMERAS (2018)
Directed by Seth Fuller & Scott Hussion
When a family of five rents a beautiful house for their summer vacation, the price seems too good to be true. Landlord Gerald has moved from watching his guests privately to live streaming them on the dark web — kidnapping his favorites and keeping them chained up in a dark hatch.
Catching up on this series in preparation for the third installment, 15 CAMERAS, releasing this Friday the 13th! Another creeptastic performance from Neville Archambault, and another, faster-paced thriller about the evil that men inflict on women. Appreciate the agency given to (some) of the women this time around … even as it set us up for the next film!
Day 82: 15 CAMERAS (2023)
Directed by Danny Madden
Lured by a cheap purchase price due to the house’s history, Cam and Sky buy the duplex previously owned by the now missing Gerald. As they slowly uncover hidden cameras and the secrets of the duplex’s previous owner, obsession consumes their marriage and they both fall into destructive forms of voyeurism.
This was a pretty good way to wrap up (one would assume) the trilogy! I like how it evolved from the previous two films into something different; showing how an obsession with true crime can be all-consuming, and showing how easily someone who is seemingly a “good guy” can slip into a monster’s shoes. Credit to James Babson for credibly filling the Gerald role (Neville Archambault sadly passed away in 2022).
Day 83: THE TELL-TALE HEART (2023)
Directed by Robert Eggers.
Within the chambers of a desolate house, a solitary servant tends to his invalid master. Tangibly detailed period design and hauntingly lifelike puppetry unearth the dreamworld of Poe.
This 20-minute short shows all the hallmarks of future Eggers’ work — historical details and tightly choreographed terrors, with a dash of morbid humor. A beautifully done Poe adaptation.
Day 84: THE BOOGEYMAN (2023)
Directed by Rob Savage
Still reeling from the tragic death of their mother, a teenage girl and her younger sister find themselves plagued by a sadistic presence in their house and struggle to get their grieving father to pay attention before it’s too late.
The story drags a bit and I wish the monster wasn’t quite as visible as it ends up being — but strong performances by the leads (Sophie Thatcher -Teen Natalie/YELLOWJACKETS; Vivien Lyra Blair -Leia/OBI-WAN KENOBI, and my 
Chris Messina!!!) and a very creepy atmosphere made me like it a lot. HOST is still my fave from this Director, but it’s really cool to see what he can do with a bigger budget.
Day 85: THE SENTINEL (1977)
Directed by Michael Winner
Anxious to have her own space, Allison moves into a house with very strange renters in all the other apartments— but when she complains to the realtor about the tenants being too noisy, she is told that the only other occupant in the building is a blind priest. After suffering from mysterious fainting spells and nightmares, she finds herself under attack by supernatural forces.
Another completely WILD 70’s horror! The cast of characters in the apartment building are completely amazing, including Burgess Meredith as a kooky pet owner who puts costumes on his cat, and the aggressively sexual Gerde & Sandra. Great practical F/X and THAT ENDING 
Day 86: THE SWERVE (2018)
Directed by Dean Kapsalis
Holly seems to have it all: two kids, a nice house, a good job as a teacher, and a husband with his career on the way up. But there are troubling signs that all is not right in her world.
Oooof. This was a rough descent into mental illness — exploring the horrors and pressures of being a woman and a mother, feeling ignored, misunderstood, and invisible. Azura Skye (aka Cassie from one of my fave Buffy episodes, “Help”), gives us an absolutely AMAZING performance as Holly.
Day 87 – PET SEMATARY: BLOODLINES (2023)
Directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer
In 1969, a young Jud Crandall has dreams of leaving his hometown of Ludlow, Maine behind, but soon discovers sinister secrets buried within and is forced to confront a dark family history that will forever keep him connected to Ludlow.
This cast is STACKED: Samantha Mathis & Henry Thomas as Jud’s parents, beardy David Duchovny (the chillest dad of a zombie son EVER), and freakin’ Pam Grier (not in it enough)! There’s something interesting about setting Ludlow up as a cursed town with a secret society of families descended from the original settlers guarding the EVIL beyond the barrier … and I appreciate the effort to add some diversity to the cast and explore the town’s indigenous roots (JUSTICE FOR DONNA!), but ultimately — this prequel is utterly forgettable. Good performances all around; zero atmosphere. I’ll forget I’ve even seen it in a few weeks.
Day 88: SLAYERS (2022)
Directed by K. Asher Levin
A group of superstar influencers are drawn to a reclusive billionaire’s mansion only to find themselves trapped in the lair of an evil vampire. The only way out is to be saved by a famous online gamer and an old school vampire hunter.
What a weird little film this is! The premise is pretty fun — kind of a combination of SCREAM QUEENS & John Carpenter’s VAMPIRES — but there’s also a lot of “edgy” camera work and a whole lotta stock footage which made it feel less than. It’s loud and in your face and feels like a YouTuber shot it (yes yes I know that’s the point; I GET it, I just didn’t LIKE it). Positives: both Abigail Breslin as the “goddess” influencer and Thomas Jane as the grizzled vampire hunter were perfect.
Day 89: BECKY (2020)
Directed by Cary Murnion & Jonathan Milott
After losing her mother to cancer, bullied teen Becky (Lulu Wilson) heads to a remote lake house with her dad (Joel McHale)… and her dad’s new girlfriend, Kayla, who brings her young son Ty along. Their less-than-happy getaway quickly turns into a day of terror when a group of escaped convicts turn up looking for the key to their future that they hid long ago.
A tight home invasion thriller with some genuinely squirm-worthy gore. Loved the idea of a 13-year-old channeling her grief into pure rage — and I did not expect to see Kevin James playing a violent white supremacist, but I gotta admit he did it well! Lulu has done some fantastic work in Mike Flanagan’s horror series (Young Shirley in Hill House; young Madeline in House of Usher) and she was absolutely brilliant here. Excited to watch the sequel next!
Day 90: HOUNDS OF LOVE (2016)
Directed by Ben Young
Teenager Vicki Maloney is abducted from a suburban street and tortured by a disturbed couple, John and Evelyn. As she observes the dynamic between her captors, she attempts to drive a wedge between them so she can escape.
This was so hard to watch on so many levels — John is brutal to both women, and watching them go through their different traumas is a LOT. Especially because the actresses who play the two women give amazing performances. It’s a really good film, but it’s definitely a heavy one to process.
Day 91: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (2023)
Directed by Mike Flanagan & Michael Fimognari
To secure their fortune (and future) two ruthless siblings build a family dynasty that begins to crumble when their heirs mysteriously die, one by one.
Yes I know this is a series but if y’all can say Twin Peaks S3 is a film, I can count this as one long, beautiful film too. I’m a huge fan of everything Flanagan does, but THIS. This is absolutely perfect. I loved the way each episode incorporated Poe’s stories, and the Usher family business being tied to the opioid epidemic. The atmosphere was sooooo good, and the cast (of course) was amazing! It’s gory and terrifying and fucking fantastic. All hail my Queen, Carla Gugino.
Day 92: AT THE END OF EIGHT (2019)
Directed by Rankin Dean
Three young contestants sneak inside the home of complete strangers as part of a popular yet highly illegal game. The game requires the players to stay within the home for eight hours without being discovered. If they succeed, each player stands to win a prize of ten thousand dollars. But this time, this is no ordinary home. Who will make it out at the end of eight?
The story arc is really obvious and the killer’s lore is questionable and definitely comes across as very transphobic. I’m not sure exactly why because I can’t point to anything obviously religious about it, but I got BIG Christian vibes from this one; it thinks it’s more clever than it actually is.
Day 93: NIGHT OF THE HUNTED (2023)
Directed by Franck Khalfoun
When an unsuspecting woman stops at a remote gas station in the dead of night, she’s made the plaything of a sociopath sniper with a secret vendetta. To survive she must not only dodge his bullets and fight for her life, but also figure out who wants her dead and why.
I was skeptical about this but it’s a tight thriller with a kick-ass protagonist— from the same director as P2 & the MANIAC remake. It gets a little heavy handed with the “who’s the real monster?” dialog, but still does a great job keeping you guessing and has quite a bit of splatter. Well done!
Day 94: COBWEB (2023)
Directed by Samuel Bodin
An eight-year-old boy tries to investigate the mysterious knocking sounds that are coming from inside the walls of his house, unveiling a dark secret that his sinister parents have kept hidden from him.
I LOVED the look of this! The house, the yard, the colors, THE PUMPKINS — everything was Gothic-spooky. A fairy tale horror story about abuse, feeding, and breeding, rage; my only complaint is that I wish the monster had stayed more in the shadows. A bit of the magic and terror was lost for me once it was completely visible.
Day 95: LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH (1971)
Directed by John D. Hancock
A recently institutionalized woman has bizarre experiences after moving into a supposedly haunted country farmhouse and fears she may be losing her sanity once again.
Love the hazy 70’s hippy vibes and Zohra Lampert puts everything she has into Jessica — but this might be the saddest horror movie I’ve ever seen. Poor Jessica! I just wanna hug her and tell her it’ll be okay.
Day 96: ODD GIRL (2019)
Directed by Rami Kahlon
High school student Dylan becomes worried when his popular best friend starts getting followed incessantly by the odd girl out.
An effective and creepy short film! BFF jealously meets a supernatural entity with nefarious intentions. I dug it.
Day 97: SLOTHERHOUSE (2023)
Directed by Matthew Goodhue
Emily wants to be elected as her sorority’s president. She adopts a cute sloth, thinking it can become the new mascot and help her win, until a string of fatalities implicate the sloth as the main suspect in the murders.
I fully expected this to be from the director of ZOMBEAVERS – but surprise, it’s not! This is as silly as you expect, with the added benefit of the sloth being a ridiculously cute puppet. I belly laughed more than once, especially when it pulled an E.T. hiding in the stuffies homage … and DROVE A CAR. Mindless fun! #killersloth is my new fave influencer.
Day 98: AMERICAN HORROR STORIES: BESTIE (2023)
Directed by Max Winkler
After the loss of her mother, bullied teen Shelby finds connection with a mysterious online friend who challenges her to “face her fears.”
Season 3 of AH Stories kicking off with a bang! Emma Halleen is SO GOOD as Shelby that you really feel her grief, compassion, and insecurities in every scene — finding yourself on the edge of your seat as she’s manipulated into doing harmful things. I really dug this one.
Day 99: WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS (2023)
Directed by The Adams Family
Maggie, Seven, and Eve are a family of traveling sideshow performers traversing the harsh conditions of Depression-era America, and leaving a bloody trail in their wake.
I am continually impressed by the films the Adams’ put out — always unique, always with solid performances, and always very, very, gory. Their latest feature is another feat of DIY indie filmmaking with incredible sets, impressive special F/X, and a kick-ass soundtrack featuring gorgeously dark songs by the family’s band, H6LLB6ND6R. It’s a fascinating blend of horror, suspense, and poetic art. Also THAT ENDING is absolute fire.
Dear Toby, John, Zelda, and Lulu – I’m your number one fan!
WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS will have its theatrical release November 3rd in theaters across the U.S., and its digital release to Rent and Buy at home November 7th on cable and digital platforms.
Day 100: THE EMPTY MAN (2020)
Directed by David Prior
On the trail of a missing girl, an ex-cop comes across a secretive group attempting to summon a terrifying supernatural entity.
This one really surprised me! A really solid opening sequence that twists and turns its way into a creepy cult thriller. Might have benefited from a little trim here and there, but there are some absolutely stand out scenes and an ending that made it worth the journey. Prior also directed one of my fave episodes in Cabinet of Curiosities: THE AUTOPSY.
