These post-pandemic horror movies are giving
These post-pandemic independent horror movies are fucking GIVING giving. I don’t know if agents of the old guard have gone bankrupt and a new school of filmmakers has found a way to squeeze their passion projects through the cracks or what, but I’ve seen some bomb-ass horror movies in the last couple of months that no one is talking about. I’m going to discuss a few of them and where you can stream them.
WARNING: Do not use a torrent client to illegally download these movies, guys! ThEsE MuLtI-MiLliOn aNd MuLtI-BiLliOn dOlLaR cOmPaNiEs aRe rEaLly dEpEnDiNg oN uS nOt tO dO tHaT sO tHeY cAn sTaY aFlOaT! π
Some of these were filmed before the pandemic really took hold but I included them anyway because they were released deep into it.
Let me tell y’all though – ππ½ WATCH ππ½ THESE ππ½ MOVIES ππ½ RIGHT ππ½ NOW.
Shudder has been hosting some real bangers lately, so I wanna talk about their stuff first.
The Power
8/10
This was one of the best supernatural horror movies that I’ve seen in a while. Beautifully filmed and emotionally satisfying, The Power is more than worth a watch for viewers with a sophisticated taste. The story centers on a young nurse starting a new job in a labyrinthine hospital in London during the 1974 state-sanctioned blackouts. She is directed to remain in the hospital overnight during one of the longest blackouts yet with a sparse skeleton crew of other staff, all the patients having been moved to another location. Something really sinister is going on in that hospital and it has a unique connection to the main character’s personal trauma. This is director Corinna Faith’s first feature film and she really hit it out of the park. The first few jump-scares come out of nowhere and are very startling, so hold on tight.
Stream this on Shudder, but you can also purchase it on Prime Video, VUDU, and Apple TV
* * *
Superhost
7/10
This one was a lot of fun and had a fantastically twisted villain. It focuses on a couple that runs a YouTube channel focused on reviewing houses and apartments hosted on apps like Airbnb and Vrbo. Their latest rental is run by an intense woman that comes off as overly friendly at first and then disturbingly invasive as events unfold. Something very strange is happening here and you’ll have fun figuring out what it is. The main characters might piss you off the way they did me – especially that fucking guy during the climax (you’ll see)- but the villain is very engaging and the story is fun for a scary movie night with some friends.
Stream this on Shudder, but you can also purchase it on Apple TV
* * *
The Dark and the Wicked
6.5/10
This one is a little heavy in an emotional sense and was probably mostly conceived before COVID was as serious as an issue as it became in early 2020, but it has some great visuals and an interesting storyline. It centers on a brother and sister who return to the family home in rural Texas to help their aging mother care for their dying father. It is very well filmed with believable dialogue and family drama but moves at a slow pace. If you have the patience for a slower horror movie with a decent pay-off then check this one out. I liked it a lot less than I had hoped I would (with all the praise it’s gotten from critics), but I would still recommend it.
Stream this on Shudder, but you can also purchase it on Prime Video, VUDU, and Apple TV
* * *
The Djinn
8/10
Wow – just wow. This one blew me away. I did not expect it to be as good as it was with such a micro cast but this kid, Ezra Dewey, really killed it – all without being able to say a word because his character is mute. The story takes place entirely in a small, two-bedroom apartment and centers on the summoning of a Djinn for a very specific wish. This backfires spectacularly and the main character has to find a way to avoid the creature’s clutches until morning or face certain death. But even if he makes it to the morning, there is no telling how the Djinn will grant his wish and whether or not the sacrifices will be worth it. Great visuals, tense atmosphere, and terrific acting. I highly recommend it.
Purchase this to stream on Prime Video, VUDU, and Apple TV
* * *
The Jack In the Box: Awakening
4/10
Okay – hear me out: this movie sucks overall, but that creature … that fucking creature. It is so well done, so terrifying, and has such presence that I would recommend watching this entire exhausting affair just to see it. And you really get to see this nigga. They don’t hold back at all after the first couple of teasing glimpses. The titular Jack in this movie could easily be a horrifying villain in a better movie franchise. Here’s to hoping they keep making these movies and, by some miracle, a decent director comes along to elevate them. The acting here is laughable and the plot is interesting but executed very poorly. There are a few really cool, really scary scenes and it’s worth a watch for those and the creature alone. I would share this as a surprising pick for bad movie night or a chill date at home for some laughs and contrasting chills.
Purchase this to stream on VUDU, and Apple TV
* * *
Night House
7.5/10
There isn’t a lot that can be said about this without explaining the complicated and compelling plot and possibly spoiling some points, so I’ll just say that this was a great psychological horror movie with solid acting, evocative imagery, and very original ideas that were executed with grace and artistic flair. It handles some difficult themes and always feels honest and empathetic. It’s also a great mystery with some very scary sequences. I strongly recommend this one for fans of cerebral dramatic horror. It’s one of my favorites from the last year.
Purchase this to stream on Prime Video, VUDU, and Apple TV
* * *
No One Gets Out Alive
6.5/10
Another movie to watch on the merit of a fantastically terrifying creature alone – except this one was not bad. It centers on undocumented immigrant Ambar and the unfortunate circumstance that lands her in a cheap boarding house with a sinister secret. This one is very creepy and while the plot might not be fantastically original, it is executed with style. You’ll be very interested in the creature design here and it will definitely get a gasp out of you. Truly frightening. Would definitely recommend it.
Stream this on Netflix
* * *
Censor
5/10
I wanted to like this one so much because of how fantastic the visuals were, but I was a little disappointed. While the story is interesting and the pace is thoughtful, the movie doesn’t really pay off in a big way. The sophistication of the narrative, solid camera work, and great acting keep this one afloat. I would recommend it if you’re into slow-paced, purely psychological horror films. It shows some promise for first-time feature director Prano Bailey-Bond.
Stream this on HULU, but you can also purchase it on Prime Video, VUDU, and Apple TV
Standout Favorite
Come True
9/10
I started this list with one of my favorites but I saved the best for last. Come True is a gorgeously filmed, stylish piece of cinematic art with a bomb soundtrack by Canadian synthpop duo Electric Youth. It’s the second feature directed by Anthony Scott Burns aka Pilotpriest. Yes, Pilotpriest. If you know, you know. After making some of the most epic synth-wave, retro-wave, electronic music, this dude decided to bless us with another medium of artistic expression: film. The cast is made up of little-known actors that perform great in their roles – all believable and compelling. The story centers on a young woman looking to find an escape from her recurring nightmares. She signs up for a university sleep study that sets her on a path to self-discovery, unspeakable horror, and the darkest parts of the human psyche. It’s all very cerebral, stylish, and thoughtful – more science fiction than horror. I have a soft spot for both of those genres but when you put them together then you can basically own me. Basically. Like 2012’s Prometheus, this melded them in a brilliant and inspiring way. The ending is thoughtful and unexpected.
Come True is a cyber-noir masterpiece and one that will leave you super excited for whatever else Andrew Scott Burns has planned.
Stream this on HULU, but you can also purchase it on Prime Video, VUDU, and Apple TV
And there you go. Watch these as soon as you can and let me know what you think.
If you didn’t like Come True and would like to have a debate about the meaning and artistic merit of the film then hit me up on Twitter (@atickysteel) or Instagram (oldxanadu).
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