You searched for Into the Dark | Heaven of Horror

Stranger Things: Season 5 Volume 1 – Review | Netflix

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:38:12 +0000

STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Volume 1 is finally out on Netflix now. That means more of the wonderful genre hybrid featuring sci-fi, horror, fantasy, mystery, thriller, and action. And yes, it does get very dark, yet again. The four new episodes in Volume 1 are all at least one hour long, so clear your calendar. Read our Stranger Things S5 Vol. 1 review here!

STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Volume 1 on Netflix offers the first four episodes of the fifth and final season of the Netflix hit series. We’ll get an additional three episodes for Christmas in Volume 2, and then “The Finale” will be out on New Year’s Eve.

Also, expect all the episodes to between around one hour in runtime, and actual feature film length. Hey, I’m not complaining. I have loved this 1980s genre-mix of a series since the very first episode. Actually, even just from the plot and the first trailer, I knew I was hooked. Now, we’re entering the final episodes to learn the fate of Hawkins.

Continue reading our Stranger Things S5 Vol 1 review below. Start watching on Netflix now.

Hawkins is under siege

We begin with a quick recap of Stranger Things Season 4, which also means you’ll need to look up recaps that cover more than just the previous season. I found one from Looper on YouTube that covered all four previous seasons, and it’s worth checking out if you want an in-depth refresher of past events. Find it here >

After the quick S4 recap, we’re ready to keep going, but Hawkins isn’t quite as before. There’s a military presence, and Hawkins is very much a city under siege. Now, it’s both from the many military personnel all over, and due to the fact that everyone in the town must remain there. Yep, a good ol’ fashioned quarantine.

The huge crack in the surface, which was described as the result of an earthquake, has been paved over with metal sheets. Other than that, soldiers continue moving in and out of the “Upside Down” through Rifts.

We’re in the Fall of 1987, and all our heroes (kids, teenagers, and adults) have a common goal of wanting to find and kill Vecna. Of course, Vecna has a plan of his own, and once that is put into action, several characters will pay the price. This is not a show for kids, and a lot of blood will be spilled.

Eleven is in hiding, but just wants to help, and knows she is probably the only hope of defeating Vecna. However, Hopper wants to protect her, and (as always) they end up fighting a lot.

Lots of familiar faces – and a few new ones

As always, the cast of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 is led by Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers and David Harbour as Jim Hopper. They are the adults who have worked with the “kids” since the beginning.

The kids (of very varying ages by now) consist of Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers. Also, Sadie Sink is still here as Max Mayfield, who sadly ended up in a coma by the end of season 4. She’s still there as this story begins.

Among those who have been teenagers since they entered the story, we have Natalia Dyer as Mike’s older sister Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Will’s older brother Jonathan Byers, and Joe Keery as the ever-charming and brave (if sometimes not the brightest) Steve Harrington. Also, Maya Hawke is still on board as Robin Buckley.

Many other recurring characters are back, which I’m happy to report includes Priah Ferguson as Lucas’s fierce little sister, Erica Sinclair, and Cara Buono as the Wheeler matriarch, Karen Wheeler. Also returning, of course, is Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna – also known in his human form as Henry.

For me, the most interesting new addition is Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay, but we’ll also be seeing more of Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers. Overall, there are lots of people working in or for the military. Plus, Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) will play a bigger role as the younger Wheeler sibling, Holly.

Watch Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 on Netflix now

As always, the Stranger Things series comes from creators The Duffer Brothers. It’s produced by Upside Down Pictures & 21 Laps Entertainment, and yes, The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers. Of course!

Also, executive producing is Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) of 21 Laps Entertainment and Dan Cohen (The Boogeyman, Love and Monsters, There’s Someone Inside Your House).

If you’ve been a fan of Stranger Things this far, you should be happy with how this final season is beginning. It does get very dark and violent. Sure, this has always been the case, but it is very bloody alongside the “typical” psychological warfare we’ve experienced from the Upside Down. Consider yourself warned… and enjoy the ride towards The Finale.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 debuts on Netflix on November 26, 2025.

Details

Creators: The Duffer Brothers
Cast: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Plot

The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.

📺 Watch trailer

The post Stranger Things: Season 5 Volume 1 – Review | Netflix appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Laughing in the Dark: Samantha Hale Brings Horror Fandom to New Special Horror Nerd

Nadja "HorrorDiva" Houmoller — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:28:49 +0000

In her new comedy special Horror Nerd, comedian Samantha Hale turns a lifelong love of scary movies into a twisted celebration of horror culture. Born out of pandemic-era creativity and a passion for iconic fright-film locations, the special showcases Hale’s unique blend of stand-up and genre obsession.

Horror Nerd isn’t only for horror buffs though; it’s about finding comfort in the spooky side of life. Hale best describes the special as Beetlejuice-like, “It’s irreverent, it’s smart, it’s campy, it’s absurd, it’s nostalgic, it’s welcoming to all kinds of movie lovers. Funny, yet…demonic”. Hale discusses Horror Nerd more in-depth in the interview below.

Learn where you can watch Samantha Hale: Horror Nerd here.

**Tell us about Horror Nerd and how it came into fruition?**

It truly came from such an unexpected turn of events in the world, really. I had been doing stand-up for about ten years and had several bits on horror films for sure, but the pandemic changed everything. Live entertainment was shut down in Los Angeles, and I was, of course, stressed out and having a hard time staying inspired to write. I couldn’t really work much for almost two years.

So, I had to find ways to pass the time. I started visiting the most iconic horror film locations just for fun, like the Michael Myers house, or the Nightmare on Elm Street house, and would film jokes about the movie in front of them. I had a blast doing it, and people were incredibly receptive and kept asking which house location I would be writing material for next.

That is when I knew I was onto something. I was excited about these new jokes I was writing, and so were my friends and followers who love horror. It happened organically, and I became one of the many people who found new ways of creating art in the chaos of the pandemic.

Do you think stand-up has become more welcoming to horror and pop culture-based material in recent years?

I think pop culture in general has always had a place in comedy, especially in late-night television. Comedians have always dissected current events and media. But it’s still on the rare side for most mainstream comics to do more than one horror reference in their set.

I’m sure there are plenty of comics out there who might talk about a horror franchise if it’s current, or have a joke or two about scary movies, but the only comics I have seen really go to town on horror are Dana Gould and Patton Oswalt. And they are friends!

Actually, Dana hops on Horror Nerd anytime he is in town, and we have a group that goes to all the LA haunts together during spooky season. He’s one of the funniest people you will ever meet.

Do you think women in the genre still have to “prove” their horror cred more than male fans or performers do?

Much like the world of stand-up as well, women still may have to prove their credentials when first breaking into the horror community. I still have been on many shows where I am the only woman on the lineup, but I think it’s definitely better than it used to be. I have seen many comments on female comedians’ social media pages saying, “women just aren’t funny.”

I would imagine that female filmmakers run into men who don’t give them a fair shot or make them prove themselves more than would require a man to. But I will say this: I have worked with many men, both in comedy and within the horror community, who are incredibly supportive and who absolutely view women as equals.

I think overall, people are starting to realize that women love horror just as much, and in many cases, more so than men.

When you’re performing for a mixed crowd—some hardcore horror nerds, some casuals—how do you adjust your material on the fly?

Great question. It’s definitely a challenge sometimes, yet sometimes the crowd seems pretty typical, then winds up being really into the horror material. Whenever I know I’m about to do some of my horror bits, I literally ask them, “Do you like scary movies?”

I go full Ghost Face. I actually love doing crowd work. I love genuinely talking to audiences and getting to know at least a few of them. If I get a good crowd that shouts out their favorite movies, I’ll hopefully already have a bit about that film, and if not, I’ll do a riff on it. But if they blank stare at me when I mention horror, I’ll maybe do just a couple of jokes about more popular mainstream horror films, then move on to material they may be more excited by. It’s always a gamble.

What’s one horror movie scene you’d love to see turned into a stand-up bit—by you or anyone?

I don’t know how I or anyone would do it, but somehow doing an act out of the big grand finale of The Substance would be insane. Like, how could you show an audience the insanity that is Monstro Sue literally falling apart from the pressures of the film industry. That would be iconic, and also symbolic of how hard the stand-up comedy world is as well.

**Do you have a favorite horror-comedy film that perfectly captures what Horror Nerd is about?**

Beetlejuice is the first film that comes to mind and is in my top three movies of all time. It’s irreverent, it’s smart, it’s campy, it’s absurd, it’s nostalgic, it’s welcoming to all kinds of movie lovers, it’s the exact tone and vibe I want Horror Nerd to be. Funny, yet…demonic.

**We heard you did eleven drafts of Horror Nerd. Was there a particular joke or bit that just refused to work until the final draft?**

Oh, I love that question. I would say the bit I worked the hardest on might be the opening, where I talk about all the films and characters, female characters especially, that shaped me into who I am today.

I really wanted to get it right, and I really wanted to pay tribute to the horror icons who inspired me and set me off on this horror journey. The bit we really had to rework several times was the one about meeting some of my heroes at conventions.

Of course, all the hardcore horror fans would know what the conventions are like, but we had to assume that many of our viewers may have never been to one before.

What horror movie do you think accidentally nails stand-up structure—setup, tension, and punchline?

Weapons is the first film that comes to mind. The Substance as well. These are films that are taking on very emotional fears, like aging and everything that comes with that – feeling forgotten and the fear of your body not being as healthy or beautiful as it used to be, and being able to make the audience still laugh out loud at horrific circumstances.

Absolutely genius. Amy Madigan and Demi Moore had me feeling ALL of the emotions. Comedy is tragedy plus time, and both those films nailed it.

Have you ever had a joke that horror fans loved but general audiences just didn’t get, or vice versa?

I can usually get away with material on the more mainstream franchises, but I probably won’t go to my deep cuts on a regular show. Every audience is so unique, depending on the energy of the room, the age and demographic of the audience, and where I’m at on the lineup. But you never know.

One time, I had a late twenties looking woman wearing a Jason Voorhees hoodie, and when I asked her if she was a big Friday the 13th fan, she shut me down with a super hard “NO.” When I saw her hoodie, I really thought I would go into my Jason material, but I laughed at how hard she said no, then moved on.

But then, reversely, sometimes I have an older crowd, and they can’t get enough of my Exorcist bits and let me get away with my chunk on 70s films. You just have to roll with it and change course if needed.

Horror and humor can both be coping mechanisms. Has your love of horror ever helped you get through tough times?

Oh absolutely. When I’m feeling sad or stressed, sometimes all I want to do is zone out to one of my scary comfort movies that I have really great memories attached to. I can go from wanting to quit comedy to putting on Poltergeist, and I’m quickly reminded of why I fell in love with horror, and why I’m devoting my comedy to it.

And I’m reminded of the times I watched it with my dad, and it’s refreshing.

Who’s your personal “final girl” role model in life or comedy?

Joan Rivers will always be my final girl. She could make it out of any situation, any show, any roast battle, and come out on top.

I watched her documentary, Piece of Work, and was blown away by her vulnerability, her work ethic, and her ability to take incredibly scary situations and find the humor in them. There is Laurie Strode, then there is Joan Rivers.

The post Laughing in the Dark: Samantha Hale Brings Horror Fandom to New Special Horror Nerd appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Star People – Movie Review (3/5)

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:27:34 +0000

STAR PEOPLE is a new sci-fi thriller with a very sweet, but also twisted and dark, story featuring two siblings at the heart of the plot. Inspired by real events, this indie production won me over with its character-driven plot and the most gorgeous visuals. Read our full Star People movie review here!

STAR PEOPLE is a new indie sci-fi thriller that made me want to plan a night of stargazing somewhere with no light pollution. Honestly, if you don’t fall in love with the visuals of this movie, then I don’t know what it would take. Also, it has a character-driven story built on the aftermath of a real UFO sighting.

With a runtime of just over 100 minutes, I was worried that maybe it would be running a little too long. Fortunately, it didn’t, as there are more layers to the storyline than what you might expect. A small but fierce cast paired with a very interesting and relatable storyline made for a solid genre movie.

Continue reading our Star People movie review below. Find it on VOD now!

I want to believe

Star People is a classic “I want to believe”-plot that Fox Mulder would gladly support. We meet photographer Claire (Kat Cunning), who is convinced she has seen a UFO (or rather, several) when she was a child. Ever since this sighting, she has been waiting for them to come back.

The very specific UFO sighting in this 2025 sci-fi thriller is based on the very real 1997 UFO sighting in Arizona. It was known as the “Phoenix Lights”, and we see archive news footage of the event. Clarie’s brother, Taylor (McCabe Slye), isn’t a believer, so he would be the Dana Scully of the family – just to stay in the X Files character gallery.

Taylor, however, is a junkie and struggling in all areas of life, so Claire doesn’t care much about what he believes. Still, in a roundabout way, he ends up joining his big sister on a job. A man has spotted some lights that look similar to the 1997 Phoenix Lights, and wants Claire to take pictures of them.

Not because he thinks they’re aliens, but I won’t give away what he suspects here. Again, Claire doesn’t care what anyone else believes. She’s just eager to get out there and see the aliens again.

There is much more to this story, but Star People is the kind of movie that you should experience without too much prior knowledge.

Wonderful cast and an important story

Don’t worry, I’m not about to go back on the above and give away key elements of the story in Star People. I just want to highlight that I loved how it incorporated very current issues and dealt with them in a very straightforward manner. Being able to do this in a believable way means a cast has to sell the idea to us, the audience, and Star People has a wonderful cast.

With Kat Cunning (The Deuce, Trinkets) at the heart of the story, we have an actor who breathes life into Claire. She’s a woman who is conflicted and deals with past trauma as best she can. Sure, she handles it better than her brother, who is a junkie, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t struggling as well.

Also, McCabe Slye (Fear Street trilogy) is wonderful as her little brother, Taylor, with all the issues and baggage he comes with. As a boyfriend (well, sort of) to Claire, we see Connor Paolo (A Creature Was Stirring) as Justin. Honestly, Justin isn’t a very stellar man, but Connor Paolo manages to give him nuance in his portrayal. Really, he just isn’t a hero… at all!

Rounding out the cast of Star People are Eddie Martinez, Adriana Aluna Martinez, Chris Altice, and Bradley Fisher. All play important parts in the story, and all deserve to be complimented for their performances.

Watch Star People on VOD

Star People comes from writer-director Adam Finberg, and I am very impressed with this indie sci-fi thriller. A strong character-driven plot that isn’t afraid to include a few key elements of very current importance. And also, those visuals truly did take my breath away.

If Arizona wants to attract more tourists, just get Adam Finberg to make the commercial.

However, I do also have to highlight the audio. Not least the score by Reza Safinia, and the soundtrack. The end credit song “Constellation” by Reza Safinia, featuring vocals by the star of the movie, Kat Cunning, was amazing. I immediately wanted to hear that song again. And again!

If you love a solid sci-fi thriller and want to believe, then do check out Star People. Not only does it offer a UFO story, but it also deals with more grounded everyday “alien” issues that many will recognize. A strong combination that works elegantly here.

Star People is out on VOD now.

Details

Director: Adam Finberg
Writer: Adam Finberg
Cast: Kat Cunning, McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, Adriana Aluna Martinez

Plot

Inspired by The Phoenix Lights, the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history, STAR PEOPLE is a sci-fi thriller that tells the story of a photographer (Kat Cunning) who receives a tip that could finally shed light on her childhood UFO sighting, but a deadly heatwave and unexpected guests threaten to derail her obsessive search for answers.

📺 Watch trailer

The post Star People – Movie Review (3/5) appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Horror, Thriller & Sci-Fi Coming to Netflix U.S. in December 2025

Nadja "HorrorDiva" Houmoller — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:55:29 +0000

Discover every new horror, thriller, sci-fi, and true-crime title coming to Netflix U.S. in December 2025, including Troll 2, Knives Out 3, and Stranger Things 5. Perfect for your holiday watchlist.

December 2025 on Netflix U.S. is stacked with colossal monsters, icy crime mysteries, true-crime bombshells, and long-awaited franchise returns — including one of the most anticipated finales in genre TV history.

If you’re looking for new horror, thriller, sci-fi, or true-crime titles to add to your December watchlist, Netflix is delivering a packed month from all corners of the genre world.

Below is your complete guide to every major dark, eerie, or adrenaline-fueled addition coming this month.

December 1 — A Monster-Sized Drop of Horror, Thrillers & Sci-Fi

Troll 2 (2025) – Netflix Original

The gigantic beast is back. When a devastating new troll threatens their homeland, Nora, Andreas, and Major Kris embark on their most dangerous mission so far. Expect massive destruction, Norse mythology deep dives, and high-stakes action.
Watch the trailer on YouTube >

Sew Torn (2025)

A darkly funny indie thriller from Shudder. A small-town sewing shop owner discovers a botched drug deal and a suitcase full of cash — and every possible path from that moment spirals downward.
Read our review >

Playing Gracie Darling: Season 1

An Australian mystery-crime series where a psychologist is forced to confront a séance gone horribly wrong decades earlier — just as another young girl vanishes.

Influencer (2022)

Kurtis David Harder’s social-media nightmare sees a stranded traveler befriending a glamorous influencer whose curated persona hides something sinister. A slick, slow-burn thriller exploring identity and online deception.
Read our review >

What Lies Beneath (2000)

Robert Zemeckis’ supernatural thriller remains a chilling showcase for Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford as their idyllic life is overtaken by eerie, escalating paranormal events.

Brightburn (2019)

A brutal “what if Superman went evil” story. When a boy with extraterrestrial origins embraces darkness, his adoptive parents must reckon with the consequences.
Read our review >

Godzilla (2014) & Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Both modern monster epics arrive on the same day. Gareth Edwards’ atmospheric 2014 reboot pairs perfectly with Michael Dougherty’s Titan-filled 2019 sequel featuring Godzilla, Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, and absolute kaiju mayhem.

Hollow Man (2000)

Paul Verhoeven’s invisible-man thriller with Kevin Bacon diving into morality, power, and the monstrous consequences of scientific hubris.

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches: Season 2

December 2
Alexandra Daddario returns as Rowan Mayfair in AMC’s supernatural saga rooted in the Anne Rice universe. Expect deeper lore, more power struggles, and dark family secrets.

The Northman (2022)

December 3
Robert Eggers’ brutal Viking revenge epic arrives with Alexander Skarsgård as a warrior-prince on a blood-soaked mission to reclaim his destiny.

Fugue State 1986: Season 1 (2025)

December 4
A Colombian literary friendship fractures after one commits a horrific act of violence. Inspired by real events — specifically the most brutal massacre committed by a single man in Colombia — this is one of December’s darkest releases.

The Abandons: Season 1 (2025)

December 4
Two powerful matriarchs lead rival families fighting for survival and supremacy on the perilous American frontier in the 1850s.
Watch the trailer on YouTube >

The Price of Confession: Season 1 (2025)

December 5
A twist-heavy thriller where a woman accused of murder is offered an escape — but only if she commits another killing. A dangerous pact with a stranger spirals into moral chaos.

The Accident: Season 2

December 10
A year after a tragedy links four families, buried truths threaten to explode into revenge, justice, or both.
Read our review of Season 1 >

Had I Not Seen the Sun: Part 2

December 11
Following Jen-yao’s violent acts, long-suppressed truths threaten love, hope, and the fragile ties holding everything together.
Read our review of Part 1 >

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

December 12
Benoit Blanc is back. This time, he’s teaming with a young priest to investigate an impossible murder inside a small-town church with a haunted past.
Watch the trailer on YouTube >

City of Shadows: Season 1

December 12
After a burning body appears on a Gaudí landmark, a disgraced Barcelona detective returns to stop a killer terrorizing the city.

The Fanatic (2019)

December 12
John Travolta stars as an obsessed fan whose devotion spirals into stalking and violence in this psychological thriller from Fred Durst.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

December 13
Matt Damon’s chilling portrayal of Tom Ripley — a charming sociopath drawn to luxury, obsession, and identity theft — remains one of the genre’s best psychological thrillers.

Castle Rock: Seasons 1–2

December 16
Stephen King fans rejoice! The entire psychological-horror series inspired by King’s interconnected universe finally lands on Netflix.

Murder in Monaco (2025)

December 17
This documentary digs into the mysterious 1999 killing of billionaire banker Edmond Safra, unraveling the bizarre and twisting events behind one of Monaco’s most controversial deaths.
Watch the trailer on YouTube >

Better Watch Out (2016)

December 18
A Christmas babysitting gig goes violently off the rails in this wicked Australian holiday horror-comedy starring Olivia DeJonge.
Read our review >

Relay (2025)

December 19
Riz Ahmed and Lily James star in this biotech conspiracy thriller about a woman who uncovers deadly secrets and turns to a shadowy fixer for help.

The Great Flood (2025)

December 19
A Korean sci-fi survival thriller about a mother and son trapped during a catastrophic flood — and the mission that could decide humanity’s fate.

The Closer: Seasons 1–7

December 22
Kyra Sedgwick’s acclaimed crime series lands on Netflix, following Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson as she interrogates and outsmarts L.A.’s most dangerous criminals.

Eden (2025)

December 23
A true-story-inspired thriller about idealists trying to build a utopian community in the Galápagos. Paradise quickly descends into paranoia, jealousy, and deadly power struggles.

Stranger Things: Season 5 Volume 2 (2025)

December 25
Dropping at 5PM PT on Christmas Day. Hawkins is locked down, El is in hiding, and the group faces their most dangerous mission yet: the hunt for Vecna continues.
Watch the trailer on YouTube >

Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story (2025)

December 30
Netflix’s latest true-crime documentary unravels the disturbing case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt and parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke — a shocking tale of manipulation, control, and child abuse.

Stranger Things: Season 5 – FINALE (2025)

December 31
Releasing at 5PM PT on the final day of 2025. This is it: the last chapter in Netflix’s flagship supernatural saga.

Watch Genre Titles on Netflix in December 2025

December 2025 is one of Netflix’s biggest genre months in years. From colossal kaiju battles and icy true crime to atmospheric mysteries and long-awaited finales, there’s enough horror, thriller, and sci-fi content to fill your entire holiday break.

Want more horror, thriller, and sci-fi picks?

Follow Heaven of Horror on Google News or sign up for alerts—because you never know when the next nightmare will start streaming.

The post Horror, Thriller & Sci-Fi Coming to Netflix U.S. in December 2025 appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

The Beldham – Movie Review (4/5)

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:08:57 +0000

THE BELDHAM is a horror movie with a strong psychological horror story. This one has a small but very strong cast and a story that is as simple as it is surprising. I really liked The Beldham right until the end. Then I loved it. Read our full The Beldham movie review here!

THE BELDHAM is a psychological horror movie that felt like a nightmare combined with some sort of mental breakdown. I never felt quite sure of the direction of the plot, but I was more than willing to stay on board for the whole ride. Obviously, this means I liked what I saw.

Then the final pieces of the puzzle were revealed, and I admittedly loved it. With a runtime of just 85 minutes, it doesn’t drag on for too long, and because it is a quite dark story, I appreciated this. Less is more when someone is being tormented, as is the case in this movie.

Continue reading our The Beldham movie review below. Find it on Digital now.

Haunted or crazy?

While it’s grossly oversimplifying the plot of The Beldham, it does come down to the main character wondering if they are haunted or losing their mind. The main character is Harper (Katie Parker), a struggling new mom, who moves back in with her mother (Patricia Heaton) to get back on her feet.

It seems quite obvious that everyone around her – including mom’s boyfriend, Frank (Corbin Bernsen), and live-in aide Bette (Emma Fitzpatrick) – believes that Harper is struggling with mental illness. Whether post-partum or a mental breakdown of some kind, she needs help, and everyone is there to help her.

Unfortunately for Harper, something sinister seems determined to ruin everything for her. She keeps seeing black feathers everywhere, and both black birds and a witch-like creature are tormenting her dreams. Sometimes, even waking nightmares. It’s tough to convince someone you’re not crazy when you feel crazy about everything happening around you.

Important story and a powerful cast

This is very much a woman-driven story, so Patricia Heaton, Katie Parker, and Emma Fitzpatrick play the three most important characters. It’s difficult for us, as viewers, to know exactly who and what to trust, but that just means we’re in the same situation as Katie Parker’s “Harper”.

You’ll surely recognize Katie Parker from various Mike Flanagan productions, as she has been in most. From The Haunting of Hill House to The Fall of the House of Usher, but also Doctor Sleep. Plus, you may recognize her from the Christmas horror anthology All the Creatures Were Stirring or the 2022 sci-fi mystery Next Exit, where she co-stars with Mike Flanagan alumnus Rahul Kohli.

Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) is a three-time Emmy Award winner, but you may have already seen her in a horror movie earlier this year. She played Mother Superior in the 2025 movie The Ritual, where she co-starred with Dan Stevens and Al Pacino. Not a good movie, but that was not Patricia Heaton’s fault, as she clearly proves with her performance in The Beldham.

Finally, you may recognize Emma Fitzpatrick from the 2022 horror movie The Summoned. In The Beldham, she plays a character who tries so hard to help, but it just is not as easy as anyone would like.

Watch The Beldham on Demand now

The Beldham comes from writer-director Angela Gulner. For the longest time, I believed Angela Gulner had made a very decent and entertaining horror movie. Then came the ending of the movie, and I found myself realizing it was much more than that. To avoid spoilers, I can’t go into any details, but the final reveal in The Beldham just blew me away.

If you’ve ever been close to anyone struggling with anything similar in terms of mental struggles, then you’ll recognize the actions and reactions of all the characters in this movie. And if not, then you may feel it doesn’t make sense. I assure you, it does.

Consider yourself lucky if you’re at a place in your life where you don’t recognize or understand this. And hope that it never changes… we should all be so fortunate!

This horror movie has played at genre film festivals worldwide, including the iconic Sitges Film Festival (always a good sign). Now, you can watch it in the comfort of your own home, which you absolutely should. If you dare!

The Beldham was released on Digital and On Demand on November 7, 2025.

Details

Writer/Director: Angela Gulner
Cast: Patricia Heaton, Katie Parker, Emma Fitzpatrick, Corbin Bernsen

Plot

A new mother returns to her childhood home, only to face a malevolent, age-old entity lurking in the walls. As the haunting escalates, she’s pushed to the brink to protect her baby—and her mind.

📺 Watch trailer

The post The Beldham – Movie Review (4/5) appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Thoughts & Prayers – Review | HBO

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:10:19 +0000

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS on HBO Max is a new HBO Documentary that is as thought-provoking as it is relevant. This is true-crime in the sense that it deals with the prevention of school shootings. Or rather, it deals with preparing for them, due to abandoning all hope of stopping them. Read our Thoughts & Prayers documentary review here!

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS is a new HBO Documentary coming to HBO Max. To me, this kind of documentary dealing with real crime is scarier than any fiction. And it is obviously terrifying to the kids in this documentary as well.

I want to say that it’s about preventing more tragedies, but it isn’t. It’s about the huge industry that is evolving in the aftermath of the many U.S. school shootings. Instead of trying to stop them via gun control, the goal is to prepare. I can’t claim to understand this because it makes no sense.

Continue reading our Thoughts & Prayers documentary review below. Find it on HBO Max from November 18, 2025.

Safety rituals instead of prevention

Thoughts & Prayers is a dark look at how schools and communities are actively engaged in training sessions to prepare for the next mass shooting. Whether that next shooting happens in a daycare center, yet another high school, or somewhere else in the local community.

This is all about preparing and learning safety rituals. Never about prevention.

We see how caregivers are getting lessons in how to block doors with cribs. High school educators are sent out to practice shooting at armed intruders – including in elaborate mock battles and VR simulations. And finally, the kids themselves have to get involved and learn how to fight back against attackers.

Whether by using everyday school objects or hiding behind the latest in bulletproof equipment. Particularly, the latter is part of a huge and growing industry. Kids are being taught to defend themselves and their friends, including first-aid skills, as if they were preparing to go to war. Not simply attending school.

In Thoughts & Prayers, we experience this crazy industry (because that’s what it has turned into) through students, staff members, and administrators from school districts in Utah, Oregon, and New York. All alongside expert personnel in weapons, military, and video simulation training, who are working to train everyone else in preparing for the next disaster.

Though there is no talk of preventing it.

Prevention is possible… if you want it!

Whether talking about seatbelts in cars, masks during an outbreak, or protection from STDs, we know that we are capable of preventing things. If we want to!

And therein lies the main issue: No one dares try to prevent it, because to stop shootings, you need to regulate those who shoot guns better. Working on this issue is a financial ruin for any (or certainly most) politicians, so instead it’s treated like a terrible tragedy that just cannot be helped.

We even hear kids saying that school shootings are treated like a tornado or a hurricane. A natural disaster that could and might happen, and which is entirely out of our human hands.

This is not true!

Prevention is obviously entirely in our hands. Just like any other crime prevention.

Sadly, rather than working with prevention, all hope of stopping school shootings has been abandoned. Instead, it’s about preparing. The rest of the world doesn’t have this same issue, and yet it’s treated like an impossible task.

It isn’t.

Watch Thoughts & Prayers on HBO Max… and take it all in!

The HBO Original Documentary THOUGHTS & PRAYERS was directed by Zackary Canepari and Jessica Dimmock. This is perhaps the most important documentary I’ve watched in a long while. The documentary filmmakers try their hardest to shine a spotlight on the huge issue of school shootings and how they’re dealt with.

Or rather, how they are not dealt with, but prepared for.

It’s been a few days since I watched it, as I needed to let it sink in before writing about this documentary. As a result, certain moments have clearly stuck with me more especially.

During one interview with someone in the “preparation” industry, a man speaks about the lack of “tribes” in modern society and people being narcissistic, as a reason for school shootings. Next, we see two kids saying that it’s obvious to them that adults value gun ownership over the safety of kids.

And there you have it; Yes, it is about narcissistic and selfish adults. Just not in any “tribal” setting, but in the simple individual wanting to have what they want, and then kids will just have to pay the price.

The kids training to prepare for a school shooting can see this. Why can’t their parents?

Thoughts & Prayers debuts on November 18, 2025, on HBO (9:00-10:25 p.m. ET/PT) and streams on HBO Max.

Plot

This documentary captures the impact of the $3 billion active shooter preparedness industry on schools and communities across America.

📺 Watch trailer

The post Thoughts & Prayers – Review | HBO appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

The Things You Kill – Movie Review (3/5)

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:14:32 +0000

THE THINGS YOU KILL is a new revenge thriller with a few unexpected twists along the way. It all plays out in Turkey, but the story is universal in many brutal ways. Also, this is Canada’s Oscar bid for 2026. Yes, I do mean Canada. Read our full The Things You Kill movie review here!

THE THINGS YOU KILL is a movie that I probably expected more from, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good movie. It’s just that I knew, before watching it, that this is the Oscar bid from Canada for the 2026 Best Foreign Film award. This made for some expectations that the movie didn’t deliver on.

Having said that, I still highly recommend watching this movie. However, I have to highlight that you need to go in with an open mind and pay attention. The premise is fairly simple as far as revenge stories go, but the storytelling style chosen for this thriller does challenge its audience.

Continue reading our The Things You Kill movie review below. Find it in select theaters from November 14, 2025.

Revenge or forgiveness?

With The Things You Kill, we see family members struggle with the choice between revenge and forgiveness. When dealing with trauma, this will often seem like the only two choices. If you want to move on, you must either forgive or react. Forgetting is rarely an option – and never the healthy one.

It all begins with a son, Ali, questioning the suspicious death of his mother. Very quickly, he suspects that his father had a hand in his mother’s accidental death. Ali is a university professor who has returned to his native Turkey after spending more than a decade in the USA.

Why he left is part of the story, so I won’t get into that. However, he returned to be closer to his family and wants to start a family and build a garden on a plot of land. To help with the latter, an enigmatic gardener plays a role. Appearing out of nowhere, he is ready to help Ali with whatever he needs.

Before long, thoughts of revenge take over, and family secrets will surface to reveal painful truths. Can Ali hold back the darkness that has been building up inside, or will he give in and let it out?

Up for a possible Oscar nomination

As already mentioned, The Things You Kill is the Oscar bid from Canada for the 2026 Best Foreign Language Film award. The director of this movie is an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker, and the story is in Turkish and takes place in Turkey.

I can’t say anything against this, as the amazing Under the Shadow became a nominee for the UK, and Holy Spider was a nominee for my own native Denmark. It’s all about following the filmmaker and, especially, the money. Who produced the movie? That’s where you discover the connection to which country will be the potential Oscar recipient.

Anyway, I also had Incendies in the back of my mind. Simply due to it being from a Canadian director, taking place in the Middle East, and also being nominated for an Oscar for Canada. The breathtaking 2010 movie was by Denis Villeneuve, and I truly cannot recommend it enough.

Incendies didn’t win the Oscar, because that went to my native Denmark for Susanne Bier‘s In A Better World. As proud as I am of that, I personally feel Incendies has a stronger story.

Anyway, my point is simply that I expected something that The Things You Kill never promised, and yet it did impact my overall experience with watching it. Fairly? Not at all, but here we are.

Watch The Things You Kill when you can

The Things You Kill was written & directed by Alireza Khatami. Despite not having watched anything by this Iranian-Canadian filmmaker before, I am very excited to see what he does next. The core story of this movie is heartbreaking yet offers hope. And yet, this is also a dark revenge story that involves choices you can never undo.

The movie has already won the 2025 Sundance Directing Award in the “World Cinema Dramatic” category. This alone makes it an obvious choice to send to the Oscars as well. That’s probably a good part of the reason for making The Things You Kill Canada’s official selection for the 98th Academy Awards.

It’s possible that I would’ve ended a rating higher on another day, but no more than that. The reason is the storytelling choices. It’s a strong story, but it does expect a lot from its audience before setting the stage and presenting the premise ideally. To this movie-watcher, anyway.

The Things You Kill opens in New York on November 14, 2025, before expanding to Los Angeles and additional markets on November 21, 2025.

Details

Director: Alireza Khatami
Script: Alireza Khatami
Cast: Ekin Koç, Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Hazar Ergüçlü, Ercan Kesal, Serhat Nalbantoğlu, Aysan Sümercan, Selen Kurtaran

Plot

Questioning the suspicious death of his mother, a university professor and his enigmatic gardener descend into a hypnotic maze of mirrors and memories. As family secrets surface and painful truths emerge, they spiral toward a devastating reckoning with the darkness lurking within us all.

📺 Watch trailer

The post The Things You Kill – Movie Review (3/5) appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Malice – Series Review | Prime Video

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:01:30 +0000

MALICE on Prime Video is a new revenge thriller series. It has a stellar cast, but the intensity is somehow lacking. What still makes it worth watching is Jack Whitehall, who is scary good in this. Read our Malice series review here!

MALICE is a new Prime Video series with a revenge plot and a thriller driver. Obviously, there’s a whole mystery to this as well, so it’s like watching a puzzle be laid out on screen. Unfortunately, it’s too slow for my liking.

The series has six episodes, which should make for a tight and intense season. Unfortunately, I was not hooked after the first episode, and the second didn’t do much more for me. I mean, the story is intriguing, but the pacing just did not work for me.

Continue reading our 2025 Malice series review below. Start watching on Prime Video on November 14, 2025.

Lifestyle of the rich and… annoying?!

With Malice, we follow the charismatic tutor, Adam (Jack Whitehall), who is great with kids. This is also how he manages to find his way into the life of the very wealthy Tanner family.

They meet while on a vacation in Greece, where Adam works for another family. However, once the Tanner family’s nanny gets violently ill with a stomach bug of some kind (you’ll know what kind once Adamn feeds her something), he swoops in.

Or rather, he does not swoop in, but the Tanner family asks him to please take the job. Oh yes, he is a crafty networker indeed. And Adam has a plan that involves the patriarch, Jamie Tanner (David Duchovny).

Once the family, now with Adam as their nanny (or “manny”), returns to London, things start to go awry. Adam begins to pit Jamie and his wife, Nat (Carice Van Houten), against each other. All with the goal of bringing down the entire family.

But why? Well, there is always a good reason in the eye of the person doing it. And we will learn why as well, but not until later in the series.

A modern-day Ripley vibe

Malice is very much a revenge thriller focused on the notion that you cannot escape your past. It will catch up, and when it does, you need to figure out how to best deal with it. As a character-driven story, Malice has a great cast, but the writing is just too slow.

Having said that, I really liked Jack Whitehall in this series. He is charming yet insanely sinister, and all at the drop of a hat. I mean, he is eerily off in a way reminiscent of Mr. Ripley, which is also an unavoidable comparison for this series overall.

Obviously, this is a compliment, and I wish this Prime Video series were as good as I feel Jack Whitehall is in his starring role. I love it when these comedic actors take on a darker character portrayal and go all-in.

I definitely feel Jack Whitehall succeeds with that in Malice!

Watch Malice on Prime Video

Malice was created by James Wood, who also writes the series. He previously wrote on The Great and Quacks (which he also created). Directors of the six episodes of Malice are Mike Barker (Broadchurch, The Sandman) and Leonora Lonsdale (The Pale Horse).

I never want to discourage anyone from giving a show a chance. That’s why I can’t help but continue to highlight Jack Whitehall in this review. He delivers such a strong character portrayal that made me wish he’d play a straight-up horror villain next.

Of course, the other cast members also deliver strong portrayals, but this really is about Adam (Jack Whitehall) primarily, so this was the character that could not falter. And he doesn’t. The storytelling and pacing, on the other hand, just did not do much for me.

But hey, maybe this just was not my kind of show. Give it a shot, and maybe Jack Whitehall and the overall story will be a total treat for you.

Malice is out on Prime Video from November 14, 2025.

Details

Creator: James Wood
Directors: Mike Barker, Leonora Lonsdale
Cast: Jack Whitehall, David Duchovny, Carice van Houten, Christine Adams, Raza Jaffrey

Plot

Adam is a charismatic tutor who charms his way into the life of the wealthy Tanner family while they’re on holiday in Greece. When the family’s nanny falls dangerously ill, Adam orchestrates his way in to their London home and his true vengeful nature begins to emerge…

Adam now starts to turn Jamie Tanner and Nat against each other and secretly plots to bring down the entire family. When Adam’s obsession with the family raises questions, those who dig deeper into his past find themselves playing a dangerous game. With his world collapsing around him, Jamie starts to realise that Adam may be responsible for all their recent disasters – but is it too late to save his family?

📺 Watch trailer

The post Malice – Series Review | Prime Video appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Keeper – Movie Review (3/5)

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:53:38 +0000

KEEPER is out in theaters, and this new horror movie from Osgood Perkins has been kept deeply under wraps. Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland star as a couple who go on a romantic anniversary trip, but end up in an absolute nightmare. Get ready for a very surreal elevated horror experience. Read our spoiler-free Keeper movie review here!

KEEPER is a new Osgood Perkins horror movie described as a surrealist horror movie. And yes, it absolutely is surrealistic and completely insane. Other than several different movie trailers, this movie has been advertised only with quotes from iconic horror authors and filmmakers. Not via any reviews.

In fact, not only were press screenings cancelled, I also know of a genre film festival screening in Denmark that was cancelled at the last minute. When press screenings and film festival screenings alike are canceled, it seems like an afterthought. Possibly to avoid spoilers, which I can absolutely understand.

Obviously, this meant I had to get tickets for the earliest public screening available, so that’s what I did, and now I have a review ready for you.

Continue reading our spoiler-free Keeper 2025 movie review below. Find it in a theater near you… If you dare.

Very romantic… until it’s a nightmare!

I will not do spoilers for Keeper (2025), so don’t worry about that when reading this review. However, it also means I can’t say very much about the movie except what has already been public knowledge ahead of its release.

We meet a couple on their romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin. Once they’ve been there for a little while, things turn sinister. And yes, we are talking about a paranormal or supernatural kind of evil.

It all starts turning into a nightmare when a dark presence reveals itself. A presence that will be forcing our couple to confront the property’s haunting past.

Keeper does get very surrealistic (though you could also call it “elevated horror“, but you already know that from watching the trailer. Or trailers, if you’ve watched them all, and I have not. Once a trailer came out labeled as the “final” trailer, I decided not to watch it and just let the movie overwhelm me with its craziness.

And it did. It really did.

So many questions about Keeper

When Keeper ends, you will probably have many questions about its plot and ending. That’s not to say that you won’t be given many answers. Instead, I say this to recognize that you may need to think it over or even speak with a fellow film watcher.

This is a movie that offers many familiar horror elements. Is it about ghosts, survival, revenge, folk lore, privilege, abuse, greed, or even a serial killer plot?!

Well, yes… sort of. It’s somewhere in between all these and yet somehow also outside of all of them.

The horror of Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland

Oh no, I don’t mean Tatiana Maslany (The Monkey) and Rossif Sutherland (Orphan: First Kill) are horrible or anything. I simply mean that the horror delivered by the performances of Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland is at the very heart of Keeper (2025).

To me, Tatiana Maslany is the absolute star of Keeper. Of course, I am probably biased since I have fiercely adored her ever since Orphan Black, where she portrayed a whole slew of diverse characters.

This may be a surrealist horror movie, but it is also a very character-driven horror story. As most are.

I really want to avoid spoilers, so let me talk about the vibe and feeling of this movie instead of plot details. If you’ve watched movies like Oddity, The Watchers, The Dead Thing, The Wailing, or even the Netflix series Don’t Come Home, then you have an idea of what to expect. Oh yes, we are in horror lore territory.

Again, this is not to say that the story of Keeper is the same in any way. I’m focusing on the vibe of it.

Watch Keeper in theaters

This was directed by Osgood “Oz” Perkins, who is quickly becoming quite the genre favorite. He previously directed The Monkey, which came out earlier this year, and Longlegs, which was released last year. Unlike with his two previous releases as a director, Osgood Perkins did not write the screenplay for Keeper.

The screenwriter is Nick Lepard, who also gave us Dangerous Animals. Yes, the amazing Australian serial killer thriller movie that came out earlier this year as well. Dangerous Animals was the first screenplay by Nick Lepard that was produced, and Keeper is the second.

What will come next? Well, with his current track record as a screenwriter, I’m already excited. Also, his first was directed by Sean Byrne (The Devil’s Candy) and the second was directed by Osgood Perkins, so who’s next? Jordan Peele?! After all, Osgood Perkins acted in Jordan Peele’s Nope, so there’s a link there. Just sayin’.

Final words: Keeper is classic Osgood Perkins, which is not for everyone. This is neither Longlegs nor The Monkey. If anything, it’s much closer to I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016), but with a much darker plot. This will not be for everyone, but I did like it. Even more after thinking it all through and seeing the patterns from a little distance.

Also, I loved the final scene and shot of Keeper. So powerful and pure!

Keeper is out in wide release in US theaters from November 14, 2025.

Details

In Theaters: November 14, 2025
Director: Osgood Perkins
Writer: Nick Lepard
Cast: Tatiana Maslany, Rossif Sutherland, Birkett Turton

Plot

A romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin turns sinister when a dark presence reveals itself, forcing a couple to confront the property’s haunting past.

📺 Watch trailer

The post Keeper – Movie Review (3/5) appeared first on Heaven of Horror.

Had I Not Seen The Sun: Part 1 – Review | Netflix

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:47:12 +0000

HAD I NOT SEEN THE SUN on Netflix is a new crime thriller series about a serial killer, but it also has a romance plot. It’s not a hybrid I am a fan of, but the plot does work as a whole. If you’re into this genre combination, obviously. Read our Had I Not Seen the Sun Part 1 review here!

HAD I NOT SEEN THE SUN is a new Netflix series with 10 hour-long episodes. And that’s just in part 1. So, yeah, we’re getting close to a soap opera feeling with this many episodes. The same has to be said for the intro, which is very romance-fueled with both its visuals and choice of music.

It’s a serial killer story, where we follow a documentary production trying to get to know the incarcerated man. At its core, this is exactly the kind of plot I’d go for. However, then you add the element of romance, and I’m not too sure anymore. Also, there are many flashbacks that are there for a reason, but this character-driven series is just very slow.

Continue reading our part 1 review of Had I Not Seen the Sun Part below. Find it on Netflix now.

A moth and a butterfly

Had I Not Seen The Sun is the story of the 25-year-old Li Jen-yao. He turns himself in for a series of grisly and cold-blooded murders, which means he also admits to being the serial killer known as “The Rainstorm Killer”.

However, despite admitting to these heinous acts, he never offers any motive. That’s why all reporters and documentary filmmakers are dying to talk to him. Finally, he agrees to do his first-ever interview with the young woman, Chou Pin-yu.

As she gets closer to the convicted serial killer, she starts having unsettling dreams of both the killer and a mysterious girl in uniform. And yes, this Netflix series does have a supernatural and ghostly element as well. Not least with dreams and reality getting mixed up as secrets involving love, hatred, guilt, and redemption come to the surface.

Officially, this series is described as “Blending high-school trauma, forbidden love, and chilling revenge”, which isn’t wrong. It just isn’t nearly as well executed as it could have been, either.

I can see this same core story made into an 8-episode series as a South Korean or Spanish production, and it would be a much darker production. One I know I would’ve enjoyed more.

The light and fluffy elements of the story in Had I Not Seen The Sun are just too cutesy. They are in a jarring contrast to the darker elements of the story, and as a result, both stories suffer.

Do we need to romanticize this?

From the trailer, the story of a moth and a butterfly is at the center. It’s a whole fairytale about how one lives under sunlight while the other is drawn to the moonlight. It’s all very romantic and tragic, which would be fine for a romantic drama, but combining it with this story about a serial killer and his long-lost love is not my thing.

Really, I just am not a fan of the whole serial-killer-romance hybrid.

Without giving away any spoilers, I don’t think we need to romanticize anyone in prison for murder. They already get plenty of attention from women who want to save them and men who can somehow relate to them. No need to add a whole new set of groupies in the form of documentary production workers falling for their charm.

Whether innocent or guilty, it’s not a good look from the get-go.

Watch part 1 of Had I Not Seen The Sun on Netflix now

This new Netflix series comes from the award-winning creators behind Someday or One Day. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chiang Chi-Cheng and Golden Bell winner Chien Chi-Feng, and written by screenwriters Chien Chi-feng and Lin Hsin-huei. It’s described as a “dark mystery romance series”, which I don’t know if I think is entirely right.

The serial killer element in the opening is dark and intense, but much of the romance is quite light.

Had I Not Seen The Sun is a Netflix series from Taiwan (org. title: Ru Guo Wo Bu Ceng Jian Guo Tai Yang), and while I was hoping for a style similar to a South Korean production, this is much slower than that. I know I’ve already mentioned this, but it bears repeating.

WANT A STRONG GENRE PRODUCTION FROM TAIWAN?

Be sure to check out The Resurrected on Netflix >

The new series from Taiwan is released in two parts. If you’re hooked on this series, then part 2 is coming your way on December 11, 2025. You won’t have to wait long, and with 10 episodes in part 1, you can even make them last quite a while.

Had I Not Seen The Sun premieres with Part 1 on Netflix on November 13, 2025.

Details

Directors: Chiang Chi-cheng, Chien Chi-feng
Screenwriters: Chien Chi-feng, Lin Hsin-huei
Cast: Tseng Jing-hua, Moon Lee, Lyan Chen, Chiang Chi, Umin Boya, Yao Chun-yao, Nic Chiang, Biubiu Chen, Ann Lee, Chris Lung, Shih Chih-tian, Jake Hsu, Roy Chang, Leo Huang, Xie Zhang-ying, Tan Shan-chien, Yuliya Tsai, Chi Chen, Sonia Yuan, Pipi Yao,Vega Tsai, Chu Te-kang

Plot

When a notorious serial killer gets interviewed by a young woman for a film, his past reveals a deep web of trauma and heartbreak tied to his first love.

📺 Watch trailer

The post Had I Not Seen The Sun: Part 1 – Review | Netflix appeared first on Heaven of Horror.