QUEENS OF THE DEAD is a new Queer Zombie Horror Comedy. They’re calling it a “Zom-Com” and I can see why. It’s very kitsch and a campy, fun watch. Obviously, it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something over-the-top, this should do the trick. Read our full Queens of the Dead movie review here!

QUEENS OF THE DEAD is a new Horror Comedy from Tina Romero. And yes, the name does reveal the connection to iconic zombie filmmaker George A. Romero. There’s even a direct nod to the director and his zombie movies, made via a cameo by Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead, 1978).

A MUST-WATCH IT IF YOU ENJOYED…

The super campy Tubi vampire horror-comedy Slay >

It doesn’t get much more campy and kitsch than that. And yes, this is also a zombie movie. However, it’s one with a queer center as it takes place in an LGBTQ+ club and features glorious drag queens. Hence the title: a play on Dawn of the Dead, but with drag queens.

Continue reading our Queens of the Dead movie review below. Find it in theaters from October 24, 2025.

A zombie apocalypse… in Brooklyn?!

With Queens of the Dead, we see a zombie apocalypse break out in Brooklyn. It’s on the night of a giant warehouse party, which isn’t off to the best start. Even before the zombies start arriving. At YUM (that’s the name of the club), the star performer has just ditched them for a bigger and better venue.

From this moment, we begin the commentary on social media and influencer issues, which becomes a theme in Queens of the Dead. However, this is a horror-comedy with zombies, so the commentary comes in the form a well-timed and poignant jabs. Ones we should all recognize.

If you don’t, then you’re probably guilty of doing it yourself. Just sayin’.

Anyway, at YUM, we meet an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and a few frenemies who will be forced to put all their drama aside. Easier said than done, obviously, but once the zombies arrive, most petty feuds can be put on the back burner.

They also need to learn how to fight these brain-thirsty, and practically brain-dead-yet-still-scrolling, creatures. Of course, drag queens (and queer people in general) have always been innovative whenever a situation called for it.

An homage to the family legacy

With this Zom-Com, Tina Romero is clearly creating an homage to her father’s iconic zombie universe. The zombies are still stupid and slow, but in this very contemporary version, it plays out in a queer nightclub.

Also, there’s a running gag about us humans being so attached to our smartphones that even as zombies, we continue hitting refresh on that social media feed.

I loved this little detail, as many people are clearly like zombies when looking down at their phones. Just look around and you’ll see those phone-zombies all around you.

A deliciously queer cast

In case it hasn’t already been made clear, Queens of the Dead is an unapologetic queer movie. However, as is always the case with queer spaces, everyone is welcome. As long as you’re ready to embrace and accept people for who they are, the more the merrier.

With the cast of Queens of the Dead, we are being treated to many LGBTQ+ actors.

From Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding) as the YUM club owner to Jack Haven (I Saw the TV Glow) as the intern, and Cheyenne Jackson (Werewolves Within) as the bartender. Or how about comedian Margaret Cho, who comes swooping in just when her tough attitude is needed the most.

Also in the cast are Jaquel Spivey (Mean Girls), Tomas Matos (Fire Island), Nina West, Quincy Dunn-Baker (A House of Dynamite), Dominique Jackson (Pose), Riki Lindhome (The Hand That Rocks The Cradle), Eve Lindley (Bros), and Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther).

Watch Queens of the Dead in theaters!

As already mentioned, Tina Romero is the director of Queens of the Dead, which she also co-wrote with Erin Judge. This isn’t the first time Tina Romero writes or directs, but it is her first feature film. And what a fabulous debut at that!

No, this isn’t a new zombie classic, but it really doesn’t try to be either. It is camp all the way, and it’s obviously meant to entertain and let the audience have fun with it. I would absolutely recommend watching this in a theater, as I can only imagine it will be a fabulous experience.

At 100 minutes, this Zom-Com does run too long, but it’s not by too much. Tightening the pace would have made for a better overall viewing experience. Maybe next time, as there is definitely room to make a sequel. And I would be very happy to watch Queens of the Dead 2 as well.

QUEENS OF THE DEAD is out in theaters on October 24, 2025. It will also be available on Shudder later.

Details

Director: Tina Romero
Writers: Tina Romero and Erin Judge
Cast: Katy O’Brian, Jaquel Spivey, Tomas Matos, Nina West, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Jack Haven, Cheyenne Jackson, Dominique Jackson, Margaret Cho, Riki Lindhome, Eve Lindley, Becca Blackwell, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Julie J

Plot

A zombie apocalypse breaks out in Brooklyn on the night of a giant warehouse party, where an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must put aside their drama and use their unique skills to fight against the brain-thirsty, scrolling undead.

DAMNED IF YOU DO is a new horror comedy with a diabolical twist about choices. Screamqueen Kate Siegel and deliciously campy Harvey Guillén star in this dark comedy premiering at Screamfest 2025. Read our Damned If You Do movie review here!

DAMNED IF YOU DO is a dark horror comedy premiering at SCREAMFEST 2025 in Los Angeles. As a longtime fan of the kitsch horror-comedy hybrid genre, I am always ready for something new.

Of course, this movie won me over with the cast alone, so the fact that it features dark comedy was just an extra treat. For me, this movie is perfect for Halloween with its campy and kitsch vibe. Plus, the moral of the story highlights the good and bad about us humans.

Continue reading our Damned If You Do movie review below.

Made a Deal with the Devil, now I’m a Success

With Damned If You Do, we meet a group of friends just as they’re graduating from High School. They’ve managed to summon a demon that is offering them a deal: Sell your soul to the devil now, and you can have 25 years of whatever you want, then you die.

Obviously, the “whatever” part does come with a few limitations. Also, you have to be very specific. If you ask for an umbrella, you’ll want to include lots of particular wishes to avoid something useless or downright dangerous.

Other than that, your path to success will be an easy one, and you can get out of any trouble. The demon who managed to get their signature on the diabolical contracts is practically a genie, who will show up as soon as you ask for something.

However, he is also a demon and wants to have fun by torturing his subjects.

Now, the group of friends is meeting again for their 25th high school reunion. In other words, this night also marks the end of their life, as their deal with the devil comes to an end.

Can they escape Hell’s grasp before the deadline expires? Well, you’ll have to watch Damned If You Do to find out.

You had me at Kate and Harvey!

As much as I love both the horror-comedy hybrid genre and the actual plot of this movie, the cast of Damned If You Do was what truly won me over.

With fan favorite (and a personal favorite) Kate Siegel in the lead, I was a very happy camper. Kate Siegel has starred in The Haunting of Hill House, Hush, The Fall of the House of Usher, and many other productions.

MORE WITH KATE SIEGEL

Check out the Shudder docuseries Horror’s Greatest >

As that fun-loving and torturing demonic presence, we have Harvey Guillén in what just may be his campiest role yet. And I loved it. You’ll recognize Harvey Guillén from the What We Do in the Shadows series, Werewolves Within, and Companion.

Also in the cast of Damned If You Do, you’ll get to enjoy Molly Bernard (Younger), Ginger Gonzaga (She-Hulk), Paulo Costanzo (Upload), Beth Dover (Helen’s Dead, Orange is the New Black), and Ed Weeks (Drop).

Plus, Mike Flanagan, who is an absolute favorite genre director (and writer) of mine, shows up in a wonderful cameo.

Damned If You Do premiere at Screamfest 2025

The dark and diabolical comedy is directed by Jake Rubin & Evan Metzold. This is the feature film debut for both directors, and I like what I see. The pacing and the overall style are right up my alley.

Storywise, we’ve got the pleasure of writers Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde. They wrote the screenplay, and this is yet another debut. You may recognize their names as actors, but this is their first writing credit.

While the plot of Damned If You Do isn’t wildly innovative, it is a lot of fun and works on all the important levels. That’s all anyone can hope for, really. If I had been part of making this movie (I wasn’t in case you’re wondering), I would be very proud.

As of writing this, I don’t know any specifics about its release. The movie is premiering at Screamfest, which will probably result in more information about a wider release. We’ll make sure this review is updated with information on when and how you can watch it.

Damned If You Do premiered at Screamfest 2025 on October 15, 2025.

Details

Directors: Jake Rubin & Evan Metzold
Cast: Kate Siegel, Harvey Guillén, Molly Bernard, Ginger Gonzaga, Paulo Costanzo, Beth Dover, Ed Weeks, Michael Flanagan

Plot

A group of friends who sold their souls to the devil years ago must reunite before their 25th high school reunion to try and escape Hell’s grasp before the contract’s deadline expires.

THE DROWNED is a new supernatural creature thriller that I had high hopes for, but which did not work for me. Part of it was the slow-burn story, but a repetitive element was what ruined it for me. Read our full The Drowned movie review here!

THE DROWNED is a new thriller with a supernatural element from Greek mythology. Now, that’s actually something I usually enjoy. At first, this movie worked for me as well, but then it just dragged out and turned into something I was hoping would end soon.

If you’ve read a review or two here on Heaven of Horror, you’ll realize I always try to find something positive in anything. And yes, this one isn’t without something good. In fact, I enjoyed the first act quite a lot. And then it lost me.

Continue reading our The Drowned movie review below. Find it on digital now.

Three thieves and Greek mythology

With The Drowned, it all begins when a group of thieves is trying to get away with having stolen a priceless painting. The group consists of four thieves, but only three of them arrive at the secluded safe house by the sea.

Their fourth accomplice is missing, and a series of strange events will come next. Not least in the pursuit of truth. Mainly, whether one of the remaining three thieves is responsible for the fourth, now missing.

Is there honor among thieves? Well, not really in the story of The Drwoned, but it doesn’t matter in any case. The enemy will be coming from the outside… and will be inspired by Greek mythology.

Pursuasive women from the sea

When three women suddenly appear at this safe house, currently inhabited by the three men who just got away with the heist of their dreams, one should be on guard.

I mean, three women showing up out of nowhere, near the sea, would always make me nervous. When they soon manage to convince the three men to do their bidding, we’re deep into the Greek mythology of sirens.

In theory, I like this plot. However, as it’s executed in The Drowned, it didn’t work for me at all. Also, when the camera panned over the surface of the water to zoom in on the house for the third time, I was getting pretty damn annoyed.

Look, I get it, you love that shot. It was, admittedly, a nice shot. Especially the first time, which is the only time we needed to see it, as the repetitions brought nothing new to the story.

Watch The Drowned on Digital now

This is the feature film debut of writer and director Samuel Clemens, who has previously worked a lot with podcasts. Clearly, there is some passion and talent there, but also a need to work on keeping things interesting and to better manage pacing.

The Drowned stars Alan Calton, Lara Lemon, Lily Catalifo, Dominic Vulliamy, Corrinne Wicks, Michelangelo Fortuzzi, and Sandrine Salyères. The actors do what the script and director demand, but most of the 1 hour 24 minute runtime didn’t do much for me.

Earlier, the movie was known as The Waterhouse and premiered in London at FrightFest Halloween. As much as I wasn’t happy with this movie, I’m certain others will find something to enjoy. Check it out if the trailer speaks to you.

The Drowned will be available on Digital Download in the UK on October 6, the U.S. on October 7, and in ANZ from October 8, 2025.

Details

Director: Samuel Clemens
Writer: Samuel Clemens
Cast: Alan Calton, Dominic Vulliamy, Michelangelo Fortuzzi, Lara Lemon

Plot

Three thieves have just stolen a priceless painting and arrive at a secluded safe house by the sea, only to discover their fourth accomplice is missing. They must question whether one of them was responsible for his disappearance, or if the blame lies with a more sinister presence lurking in the deep water below.

WAYWARD on Netflix is a new mystery thriller series with 8 episodes. It stars creator Mae Martin, Sarah Gadon, and Toni Collette, along with a wonderful supporting cast. It’s about the troubled teens industry using cult-like methods. Read our full Wayward series review here!

WAYWARD is a new Netflix series with a plot that revolves around a school for “troubled teens”. If you’ve heard the horror stories that Paris Hilton has fought to expose, or watched some of the true crime documentaries, you’ll recognize this setting.

For this thriller mystery series, there’s the added element of it being run by a cult leader type (played by the glorious Toni Collette). Methods that come across like a brainwashing and hypnosis hybrid are used. Oh yes, it is damn scary!

We watched all eight episodes of this limited series for our review.

Continue reading our Wayward series review below. Find it on Netflix from September 25, 2025.

Welcome to Tall Pines

Wayward plays out in the small and simply picture-perfect town of Tall Pines. Here, there is room for everyone to exist and have value. Also, everyone believes in the important work done at the Tall Pine Academy – a place for troubled teens.

Police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin) and his pregnant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), are getting ready to start their family. As Laura is very pregnant when they move into their new home.

On Alex’s very first day on the job, a teen boy runs out in front of their car. He has escaped a place and begs for help, but runs off before Alex can do much to help.

The place this young man has escaped turns out to be Tall Pines Academy, and Alex will soon connect with two students, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind). These two also want to escape and beg Alex for help.

While trying to figure out the role of this school and how everyone in town is somehow connected to the place, Alex comes across many strange coincidences. At the center of everything is Evelyn (Toni Collette), the school’s mysterious leader.

Who stars in Wayward?

An absolutely amazing cast, that’s who! Seriously, everyone who stars in Wayward on Netflix delivers wonderful performances. The teens are exactly as lovable and annoying as they should be, while the adults are also very diverse.

Some adults believe in tough love, but most are definitely of the opinion that these teens need help. They want to help them be the best versions of themselves. How they go about that, however, is (often) problematic.

With Toni Collette as the strangely enigmatic leader of the Tall Pines Academy, we’re in very good hands. In Wayward, we see the love and understanding, as well as the angry and almost vengeful sides of this brilliant actor.

Think Toni Collette showing everything you’ve seen her deliver from The Sixth Sense to Hereditary. The former is heartbreaking, while the latter is downright scary. And both are about a parental figure hurting for their child!

Mae Martin is intriguing and nuanced as the caring police officer, Alex, while Sarah Gadon (The 9th Life of Louis Drax, True Detective season 3) delivers a portrayal of Laura that evolves throughout the series.

Alex and Laura very clearly love each other and are focusing on their family, while also being forced to deal with the past. How they each deal with challenges both sets them apart and keeps them together as a team.

Watch the Wayward series on Netflix

Mae Martin (Feel Good) both stars in and created the limited Netflix series Wayward. As a co-showrunner on the show, alongside one of the co-writers, Ryan Scott, this is very much Mae Martin’s show.

And it also comes across as very personal in many ways. I love how the plot focuses on the troubled teen industry in several ways. From the point of view of adults wanting to help, kids living it, and adults who survived the experience.

This leaves enough nuance to indicate that teens can be helped (and need help) while also highlighting that many “troubled teens” are just very normal teens. No more troubled than the adults parenting them.

Also, there’s a focus on friendship, love, and loyalty. Both the power of these relationships and the possible dangers, when they lead you astray.

Mae Martin has created a genre-bending series that can be watched as a straight-up (pun intended, as this is deliciously not) horror series, a sci-fi thriller mystery, or even a take on true crime.

Again, if you’ve watched some of the documentaries about the horrors of the so-called “troubled teen industry”, nothing you see in Wayward will seem exaggerated.

Wayward is available on Netflix, with all 8 episodes, starting from September 25, 2025.

Details

Creator: Mae Martin
Directors: Euros Lyn (101, 102, 107, 108), Renuka Jeyapalan (103, 104), John Fawcett (105, 106)
Cast: Mae Martin, Sarah Gadon, Sydney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Brandon Jay McLaren, Toni Collette, Tattiawna Jones, Isolde Ardies, Joshua Close, Patrick J. Adams, Patrick Gallagher, Gage Munroe, Byron Mann, Mark McKinney

Plot

Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for “troubled teens”, two students join forces with a newly local police officer, unearthing the town’s dark and deeply rooted secrets.

THE HOLY BOY is a new horror drama from Italy (org. title: La valle dei sorrisi), and it was so much better than I ever dared hope.  This is a religious horror story, but unlike the typical exorcism plot we’ve seen so many times. Read our full The Holy Boy movie review here!

THE HOLY BOY is a horror movie from Italy (org. title: La valle dei sorrisi). It does have a religious twist, as revealed by the English International title. The original Italian title actually means “The Valley of Smiles”, which also makes perfect sense for this story.

To me, this horror drama is perfect for a remake thanks to the core plot. Sure, Christianity is a key element of this storyline, but it could have been any belief system. Plus, the key story deals more with grief and sadness, which is as international as it gets.

Continue reading our The Holy Boy movie review below. The movie premieres at the Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2025, and will also be part of Fantastic Fest 2025.

The Valley of Smiles… and Sadness

As already covered, the original title of The Holy Boy is “La valle dei sorrisi,” which means the valley of smiles. However, the people of the village of Remis may be smiling, but they are also very sad.

When The Holy Boy opens, it’s with a scene that plays out in Remis, and then we jump a good 15 years into the future and continue in the present. Here, we meet the P.E. teacher Sergio (Michele Riondino), who is clearly grieving and seems downright tormented.

For a long time, we don’t know what has happened, but we hear the sound of someone struggling to breathe, and a rope rubbing against something. And yes, it will all be revealed, so I’m not getting into it here, but it reveals the source of Sergio’s trauma.

In any case, it’s a good thing that Sergio arrives in Remis as this secluded village is known as the happiest town in Italy. Something, Sergio must admit, seems to be true. Everyone is open and kind in an almost unnatural way.

Of course, The Holy Boy is a horror movie, so you already know there’s something strange and sinister going on underneath the surface of this happiness.

Hug him and feel happy

What you will soon discover is that the people of Remis are happy because someone takes away their pain and sadness. That someone is Matteo (talented newcomer Giulio Feltri), a fifteen-year-old introverted boy, who is in the midst of discovering who he is.

He is known as “their angel,” and they believe his embrace can free them of all pain and sorrow. That’s why the villagers gather to meet Matteo every week, so that he can take away their sadness.

However, no one seems to ask the most obvious question: Where does the sadness and pain go?

Well, that’s what Sergio asks as he gets to know Matteo. Of course, he also feels the effect of hugging Matteo, so he’s torn between being happy again and feeling that Matteo isn’t allowed to be a normal teenage boy with hopes and desires… and a same-sex crush.

As soon as Sergio tries to help Matteo, it becomes obvious that the villagers are not ready to give up their source of happiness. Of course, Matteo also starts to realize that maybe there could be more to life than being “the angel of Remis”.

The Holy Boy premieres at the Venice Film Festival

This new Italian horror drama caught my eye after just a minute of watching the trailer, but you never know if the actual movie will live up to the expectations the trailer can create. Fortunately for The Holy Boy, it was above and beyond what I expected.

The movie was directed by Paolo Strippoli (Netflix’s A Classic Horror Story, Flowing), who also wrote the movie alongside Jacopo Del Giudice (Flowing) and Milo Tissone (A Classic Horror Story).

Very appropriately, The Holy Boy / La valle dei sorrisi will premiere as a Midnight title at the Venice Film Festival. I can only imagine this will become an immediate film festival darling and audience favorite.

Not least thanks to the ending of The Holy Boy, which is awesome!

This Italian horror movie will go on to screen at Fantastic Fest, and I’m sure many other film festivals will also feature it later. When you get the chance, you should make sure to watch it.

The Holy Boy will have its Venice Premiere on August 31, 2025.

Details

Director: Paolo Strippoli
Writers: Jacopo Del Giudice, Paolo Strippoli, Milo Tissone
Cast: Michele Riondino, Paolo Pierobon, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Sergio Romano, Anna Bellato, Sandra Toffolatti, Roberto Citran, Giulio Feltri

Plot

In Italy’s happiest village, a haunted teacher discovers dark secret behind weekly gatherings where locals seek healing from a teenage boy’s embrace. His quest to save the youth reveals the sinister nature of a community hiding behind joy.

BIRTHRITE is a new horror thriller featuring a pregnancy story. Also, there’s a lore of witches and the curse of your family tree. In other words, the title is a good indicator of what the plot entails. Read our full Birthrite movie review here!

BIRTHRITE is a horror thriller coming to US theaters and out On Demand. If you’re expecting or trying to get pregnant, this may be one to skip if you’re sensitive to those stories. Hey, no judgment, just trying to give you a heads up. It is a good movie… but quite brutal.

Also, the couple at the center of the story consists of two women, so we’re getting a queer couple. The fact that they’re gay is a complete non-issue (as it should be), and I loved that. The runtime is 100 minutes, which turned out to be a little longer than optimal, but not by too much.

Continue reading our Birthrite movie review below. Find it In Theaters & On Demand from August 8, 2025.

A surprise inheritance

When Birthrite opens, it’s with a happy couple being shown a big house in a rural small town. The house is theirs for the taking as it has been bequeathed to one of them. Apparently, it belonged to an unknown sister of Wren’s mother.

Wren has been having a hard time living in the city ever since a traumatic event that I won’t reveal here. Also, as Wren and her girlfriend (not yet wife, as Wren keeps mentioning) are getting ready for the next stage of their lives, this house could be the perfect place to start a family.

Unfortunately, there’s much more to this house than what they’re told at first. Or rather, there was more to Wren’s aunt than what she could possibly have imagined. This is what will soon come to threaten the life of their unborn child.

In Birthrite, we’re dealing with both a karmic inheritance and a town that has a cursed history. Who can they trust? And will they be able to stay together and face the storm ahead as a team?!

Great casting and a solid lore plot

I don’t know what it is, but these days I somehow end up watching movies and reading books featuring witches in some capacity. Shout out to the amazing Grady Hendrix book “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls,” which also features a pregnancy plot.

Anyway, the witch-driven lore of the small town in Birthrite works really well. I can’t claim I feel it was fully covered as well as it could have been, but I enjoyed the ride and even appreciated the rather brutal elements of the Birthrite ending.

However, I also acknowledge that this movie could have fallen flat on its proverbial face if the casting hadn’t been spot on. As the loving couple at the center of the story, we have Alice Kremelberg (Teacup) as Wren and Juani Feliz (Civil War) as Maya.

As a couple, I accepted them as very believable immediately. There’s both good chemistry and all the issues necessary to make the plot work.

Also in key roles are Michael Chernus (Dead Ringers, Severance), Owen Campbell (X, Super Dark Times), Patch Darragh (Long Bright River), and Jennifer Lafleur (From Black).

Watch Birthrite in Theaters or On Demand

Birthrite comes from director Ross Partridge, who previously directed four episodes of the genre anthology series Room 104, created by the Duplass Brothers. He also directed and co-wrote the 2015 movie Lamb, which he also starred in.

The screenplay comes from Patch Darragh (who also has a small role in the movie as a doctor) and Erin Gann. It’s the first writing credit for both Patch Darragh and Erin Gann, but hopefully, it won’t be their last.

If you enjoy movies with ancient lore and stories about witches and demons, then Birthrite should be right up your alley. Had it been a little tighter in plot and pacing, we could’ve ended on a higher rating, so it’s a definite recommendation.

Birthrite is out in Theaters and On Demand on August 8, 2025.

Details

Directed by: Ross Partridge
Writers: Patch Darragh, Erin Gann
Cast: Alice Kremelberg, Juani Feliz, Michael Chernus, Patch Darragh, Owen Campbell, Jennifer Lafleur, Henny Russell

Plot

When a pregnant woman is bequeathed a home from an estranged aunt, she and her girlfriend leave the city behind to begin a new chapter. But when a karmic debt threatens the life of their unborn child, they soon discover their place in the cursed history of the town.

INFLUENCERS is a serial killer sequel premiering at Fantasia 2025. If you enjoyed the first movie, you’ll love this one. I know I certainly did, and you should watch this as soon as it’s released on Shudder. Read our full Influencers movie review here!

INFLUENCERS is enjoying its world premiere at Fantasia 2025. I really enjoyed the first movie on Shudder and have been looking forward to this serial killer sequel. However, I actually think this is even better than I dared hope.

DO CHECK OUT

Our review of the first movie Influencer here >

It’s still dark, bloody, funny, creative, violent, and with just the right level of kitsch realism to keep both the plot and us, the audience, grounded. The runtime is 1 hour and 50 minutes, and I never looked at the clock, so that must be a very good sign.

Continue reading our Influencers movie review below. Find it on Shudder soon (we’ll update this review with the release data when we have it).

A serial killer with a code

Not unlike Dexter Morgan, the serial killer in Influencer and Influencers has a code. Of course, it’s a very different kind of code that could be summed up as: CW really doesn’t like social media influencers.

In Influencers, which picks up more than a year after the events of the first movie, she’s in a really good place. CW (Cassandra Naud) is living in the South of France, has met a wonderful French girl, and the two are happily in love. In fact, they are about to celebrate their one-year anniversary.

Her girlfriend Diane (Lisa Delamar) is very laid-back and doesn’t care about social media beyond sharing the beauty of life. In fact, Diane doesn’t even mind when they get bumped to a smaller room at the gorgeous castle, where they’ll spend their one-year anniversary.

However, CW (who goes by Catherine in Influencers) has been planning this trip for a long time and is not happy. Once she finds out it’s due to a popular British influencer, Charlotte (Georgina Campbell), CW is furious.

Can a tiger change her stripes?

Before long, CW feels the urge to teach yet another influencer a deadly lesson. To make matters worse, Charlotte strikes up a conversation with the couple and does not leave them alone.

In CW’s mind, this is surely more than enough reason to take action. As in take out the annoying and entitled influencer, who is clearly ruining the couple’s anniversary. Diane is mildly intrigued by Charlotte, but mostly due to her kindness, and CW has had enough.

Can CW control her serial killer tendencies?! What would happen if she acted on them? Can she still be in a relationship if she goes back to her old way of life?

In short: Is she ready to face the consequences? And regardless of this, can she control herself?

Of course, with CW’s talent for hacking, she can get back at any influencer in a myriad of ways. And yet, we all know that what she really wants is to end any influencer who gets in her way. The outcome always seems to be deadly.

Watch Influencers on Shudder soon

With Influencers, writer-director Kurtis David Harder has managed to make that difficult sequel that’s at least as good as the first movie. Perhaps even better! Also, a quick reminder to also check out his 2019 movie, Spiral, if you haven’t already. I’m a huge fan of his work so far.

Honestly, the entire cast of this sequel is brilliant. We do get around to meeting quite a few influencers operating in various niches. Of course, Georgina Campbell alone is brilliant. With her roles in Barbarian, T.1.M., and The Watchers, she’s already a horror darling.

Cassandra Naud is brilliant in this serial killer role. It seems made for her, and I would love to watch more stories about CW. Whether prequels, sequels, or spin-offs. Just keep ’em coming, as long as the quality is this impressive.

Influencers is enjoying its World Premiere at Fantasia 2025. It will soon be on Shudder.

Details

Director: Kurtis David Harder
Writer: Kurtis David Harder
Cast: Cassandra Naud, Georgina Campbell, Lisa Delamar, Emily Tennant, Jonathan Whitesell

Plot

In the picturesque landscapes of southern France, a young woman’s chilling fascination with murder and identity theft sends her life into a whirlwind of chaos.

THE SERPENT’S SKIN is a new genre hybrid movie from Alice Maio Mackay. It’s screening at Fantasia 2025, just like her previous movie, Carnage for Christmas.

Please note: This is a micro review (AKA a capsule review) of The Serpent’s Skin.

While I loved the kitsch and camp slasher style of Carnage for Christmas, The Serpent’s Skin is an entirely different creature. It’s more serious with supernatural elements. Early on, I recognized that I much preferred the previous style.

The story was intriguing, but I wasn’t crazy about the casting because the chemistry between various characters felt off to me. 

Bottom line, I liked the story, but not so much the execution. Having enjoyed the previous movie from the filmmaker, I expected something different, and I recognize my expectations got the better of me. 

Details

Director: Alice Maio Mackay
Writer: Alice Maio Mackay, Ben Dahl Robinson
Cast: Charlotte Chimes, Jordan Dulieu, Avalon Fast, Scott Major, Alexandra McVicker

Plot

Anna escapes from her small, transphobic town, and starts a romantic relationship with another young woman, a goth tattoo artist named Gen. After unwittingly unleashing a demon that begins feeding on their friends, the pair need to face their insecurities in order to defeat evil. 

ICONIC is a new psychological thriller that feels like a real trip. A total mindf**k in ways I never expected. A small cast and a story that will make sense in the end. It is brutal, though. Read our full Iconic movie review here!

ICONIC is a thriller out on VOD now, and I am not sure how to explain it. As it played out, I felt myself being drawn into the wildest mindf**k. And yes, I do mean that in the best way possible.

In fact, I’m not sure how to describe this movie. The plot is very small, and ultimately, you won’t understand everything until the very end. Fortunately, getting there is a real trip. I would recommend being 100% sober for this one to be able to follow everything.

Continue reading our Iconic movie review below. Find it on Digital and VOD from July 15, 2025.

An L.A. psychological thriller

In Iconic, we follow an influencer, Rose (Emma Jade), who is going through a bit of backlash. Rose is an offbeat beauty industry “celebrity” (aka “Influencer”), but her makeup recently disfigured another influencer.

Rather than going into an apology rant, she opts for blaming the influencer (a rival, really) for not checking whether she was allergic before applying the stuff to her face. Not the best way to deal with a scandal, but Rose has other issues to deal with.

Especially a stalker, who seems to always be nearby and getting closer. Obviously, it’s a disturbed person, and Rose wants nothing to do with them.

However, her luck seems to turn when she meets Lily (Alyssa Anthony). It’s love at first sight, and the two cannot get enough of one another. Unfortunately, Lily also introduces Rose to various drugs.

A drug-induced rollercoaster

Before long, Rose is on a rollercoaster of amazing highs and increasingly brutal lows. And Rose already deals with having bipolar disorder, so she really shouldn’t be taking anything with her medication.

As the audience, we’re on the sidelines, witnessing Rose fall down a rollercoaster rabbit hole full of drugs, obsession, paranoia, and jealousy. Rock bottom seems to be the final destination for her, and Rose is heading there fast.

I had no idea what to expect of ICONIC, but it delivered something better and more innovative than I ever expected. Emma Jade is perfectly cast as Rose, while Alyssa Anthony offers the perfect catalyst as Lily.

I don’t know that I am familiar with any of the actors in this movie, but I’d like to see them in future genre productions. I’d also love to see a horror movie from this filmmaker, as he clearly has a talent for telling darker stories.

Watch Iconic on VOD and Digital

ICONIC is written and directed by Matthew Freiheit, who also serves as the editor and the cinematographer on the movie. It was shot on location in Los Angeles, and while both he cast and crew are obviously talented, this feels like a one-person army in many ways.

With a runtime of just 90 minutes, it even hits what I often feel is the sweet spot for many genre movies. Especially for a feature film debut, which Iconic is.

Iconic shows the darker sides of Los Angeles while also focusing on the happiness you can find there. However, we are in the world of influencers, and as with all other celebrity-based jobs, the work is brutal, and you can be down and out in no time.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

The filmmakers have pledged 10% of the profits from the film to charities helping combat mental health and homelessness issues in Los Angeles. After watching (Iconic), it should be obvious why.

Ultimately, Iconic is a psychological horror thriller that should not disappoint if you just give in to it. Allow it to just wash over you as you experience everything Rose goes through. From the incredible highs to the violent lows.

Iconic is out on Digital and On-Demand from July 15, 2025.

Details

Director: Matthew Freiheit
Writer: Matthew Freiheit 
Cast: Emma Jade, Alyssa Anthony, Noor Dabash, Roxette Arisa, Dylan Bonansinga, Cherish Waters, Blake Eiermann, Davi Stefond, Frankie Tanimal, Tom DeSanto, Chris Boudreaux

Plot

An offbeat beauty industry “celebrity” struggles to maintain her lifestyle and sanity after an internet scandal, new love interest and obsessive and violent new fan base turn her life upside down.

THE OLD GUARD 2 on Netflix is the sequel to the 2020 action thriller starring Charlize Theron, and it’s still very entertaining. Only one question remains: When is The Old Guard 3 coming to Netflix?! Read our full The Old Guard 2 movie review here!

THE OLD GUARD 2 is out on Netflix, and it has been quite some time coming. The first movie came out in 2020, and when this sequel ends, you will undoubtedly be wondering when The Old Guard 3 is coming.

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Our review of the first movie here >

This sequel still has Charlize Theron as the absolute star, but Uma Thurman joins the cast and makes it even better. If you liked the first one, you’ll surely enjoy this sequel as well. As an action thriller with mystery and sci-fi elements, it’s a solid watch.

Continue reading our The Old Guard 2 movie review below. Find it on Netflix from July 2, 2025.

When the immortal becomes mortal

At the end of The Old Guard (2020), we found out that Andy (Charlize Theron) was no longer immortal. This meant that she didn’t heal quickly or could come back from actually dying.

In The Old Guard 2, we learn how and why this happened. According to legend, it could always happen that an immortal suddenly becomes mortal. Just like any normal person could suddenly discover that they cannot die.

However, it turns out that in Andy’s case, there is a very specific reason.

Also, we get to know Quynh (Veronica Ngô) a little better. Andy and Quynh were partners and lovers for more than 1,500 years. Then they were both trapped and accused of being witches.

While Andy got away, Quynh has been drowning over and over again for half a millennium. Andy has been searching but never managed to find her love, who she knew was trapped at the bottom of the ocean.

Someone else did manage to find her. And now Quynh is back. Very hurt and angry!

Atomic Blonde meets Kill Bill

While we knew that Quynh was found as The Old Guard ended, we did not know who found her. It turns out an immortal, who now goes by Discord, found her and recruited her for her own plans.

Discord is portrayed by none other than Kill Bill action star Uma Thurman, making The Old Guard 2 a battle between the women from Atomic Blonde and Kill Bill. Two of my favorite action movies.

Actually, no, Atomic Blonde does clearly win this battle personally. Good thing I don’t actually have to choose between the two franchises.

And no, this is not a spoiler for The Old Guard 2. Things are not that simple when dealing with immortals who have been around for thousands of years. This is a good thing, as I am definitely not done watching the Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman face-off.

Also, while I really enjoy the world of The Old Guard, it also makes me want to rewatch Highlander. Clearly, I have a thing for the concept of immortality. And there’s plenty of room for both of these franchises to exist without it being a battle.

I should also mention that another character is introduced in this sequel. Tuah (Henry Golding) is one of the oldest immortals. He has been studying their kind, so he has some unique knowledge about the lore of their kind.

Watch The Old Guard 2 on Netflix now!

The Old Guard 2 is directed by Victoria Mahoney. She didn’t direct the first movie ( Gina Prince-Bythewood, who went on to direct The Woman King, did), but Victoria Mahoney is hardly a new name on this website.

Victoria Mahoney previously directed genre series such as You, Lovecraft Country, and Night Sky. The screenplay is by Sarah L. Walker and Greg Rucka, based on a screen story by Greg Rucka, who also created the graphic novel with illustrator Leandro Fernandez.

The actual runtime is just around 96 minutes, which is perfect for this genre. However, it is also very clearly meant to continue in the next movie, which is why the rating isn’t higher. I absolutely recommend watching it, but be ready for an open ending.

So now the question becomes: When is The Old Guard 3 coming to Netflix? Sooner rather than later, and surely not in another five years. Fingers crossed.

The Old Guard 2 is out on Netflix from July 2, 2025.

Details

Director: Victoria Mahoney
Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Veronica Ngô, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Henry Golding, Uma Thurman

Plot

Andy and her team of immortal warriors fight with renewed purpose as they face a powerful new foe threatening their mission to protect humanity.