Traumatika – Movie Review (3/5)

TRAUMATIKA is a new horror movie that shows trauma as a demonic manifestation. It’s dark and brutal – as it should be. It’s essentially a trauma horror anthology movie. One that hits hard with a short runtime. Read our full Traumatika movie review here!

TRAUMATIKA is a horror movie that plays out like an anthology with multiple stories connecting over decades and continents. The common denominator is trauma, and yes, it does get very dark.

The fact that kids are among those experiencing trauma only makes it all even more sinister. For this horror movie, the runtime is just 81 minutes, which is good. Especially because this is a tough (but important) watch.

Continue reading our full Traumatika movie review below. Find it in theaters from September 12, 2025.

How evil is born

In Traumatika, we experience how trauma inflicted on children can result in adults who continue the vicious cycle. It asks whether anyone is born evil or if maybe evil is born out of trauma.

For this horror movie, a demon called “Volpaazu” becomes the physical manifestation of trauma. Or a metaphor, if you will. We see childhood trauma experienced from the child’s POV as well, which is a powerful grip.

I have no doubt that Traumatika will hit harder for some viewers, while others may be able to watch it with less of an impact. Despite never having experienced trauma close to what this movie shows, I could relate.

It also has to do with empathy, and some have more of that than others. I’m not saying it’s better to have a lot of empathy, as it can result in more pain, but it will help you relate to the characters in this movie.

Hurt people hurt people

It’s a very well-known and recognized phenomenon that people who have been hurt will often end up hurting others. This has resulted in the “Hurt people hurt people” statement. One meant to highlight the importance of help.

People who have been through traumatic experiences need help to deal with the consequences. Without this, they continue to hurt, which can in turn (far too often) result in them inflicting pain on someone else.

For Traumatika, trauma is a visceral and physical manifestation. We’re dealing with primal fears and what happens to people once they have been made to experience those at an early age.

The face and consequences of trauma

The title of Traumatika gives away that the core plot driver of this movie is trauma. And yes, it is relentless in this focus, but it never becomes gratuitous or shocking in any way meant “only” to shock.

This is the nature of trauma, and we see the consequences on the face of a little boy and a young woman, as well as an adult man, who cannot deal with untreated traumatic experiences.

If you think this goes too far in any way, then you should also recognize that you have been lucky in life. Traumatika shows actions that result in trauma, but always with the intention of making the audience recognize the evil of it.

I was not sure what to expect from Traumatika, but it still managed to somehow deliver something beyond that. A truly dark and fascinating exploration of trauma and how it has a relentless grip on its victims.

Watch Traumatika in movie theaters

The director of Traumatika is Pierre Tsigaridis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Maxime Rançon. This is only the second feature film from Pierre Tsigaridis, following his 2021 folk horror movie Two Witches.

Both movies have starred Rebekah Kennedy (The Veil, The Lincoln Lawyer series) in key roles, and I hope the two continue collaborating. It’s obviously a strong match.

Also in Traumatika are Emily Goss (Snapshots, The House on Pine Street), Ranen Navat, AJ Bowen (The Old Ways), Sean O’Bryan (Good American Family), Susan Gayle Watts, and Sean Whalen (The People Under the Stairs).

If you’re ready for a horror movie that hits hard on real-life trauma, but uses a demonic metaphor, then this is definitely for you. It is a tough watch, but also one that deals with important issues.

Traumatika is out in movie theaters from September 12, 2025.

Details

Director: Pierre Tsigaridis
Writers: Pierre Tsigaridis, Maxime Rançon
Cast: Rebekah Kennedy, Emily Goss, Ranen Navat, AJ Bowen, Sean O’Bryan,
Susan Gayle Watts, Sean Whalen