V/H/S/HALLOWEEN on Shudder is the latest installment of the found footage horror anthology. This time, it takes place on Halloween and features some truly amazing segments. Be sure to check it out during Spooky Season. Read our full V/H/S/Halloween review here!

V/H/S/HALLOWEEN is a new Shudder horror anthology in the V/H/S found footage anthology. This time, the release is perfectly timed for Spooky Season, and it takes place during Halloween.

WANT MORE FROM THE V/H/S?

Check out our review of the previous release in the franchise here >

As always, there are some segments I like better than others, but the quality overall is impressive. Even though I wasn’t crazy about the wrap-around segment, it was still entertaining.

Continue reading our V/H/S/Halloween review below. Find it on Shudder from October 3, 2025.

Finally, a Halloween installment of V/H/S

As soon as I heard this new V/H/S installment of the franchise would take place on Halloween, I found myself wondering why it didn’t happen sooner. I mean, this is the 8th movie in the V/H/S franchise.

Also, this is one of the best V/H/S installments in my book. Of course, that’s why I’m particularly fascinated with the idea of why it took them so long.

Also, Trick ‘r Treat (the 2007 Halloween-themed horror anthology from Michael Dougherty) is a must-watch during spooky season for me. Maybe that’s why I felt making a Halloween version of V/H/S was long overdue.

Then again, I didn’t really think about it until I watched this… and loved it!

A new Shudder Halloween tradition? I hope so!

A yearly V/H/S/Halloween could easily be a new Shudder tradition. In fact, I truly hope it will be. Especially, if the overall quality is as impressive as with this one.

Again, the segments do differ quite a lot in style and tone, so surely everyone will have some they prefer over others, but I never found myself losing interest. That in and of itself is no small feat with a horror anthology.

Watch V/H/S/Halloween on Shudder

With this Halloween installment of the V/H/S horror anthology, we’re getting some very diverse segments – or horror short films, if you will.

This 8th installment of the V/H/S franchise gives us a collection of Halloween-themed videotapes that feature varied twisted, blood-soaked tales. In short, trick-or-treat is turned into various struggles for survival.

The horror anthology features a wrap-around segment and five Halloween-themed short films. Below are the titles and directors of each:

• DIET PHANTASMA directed by Bryan M. Ferguson (wrap-around)
• FUN SIZE directed by Casper Kelly
• HOME HAUNT directed by Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. Norman
• KIDPRINT directed by Alex Ross Perry
• UT SUPRA SIC INFRA directed by Paco Plaza
• COOCHIE COOCHIE COO directed by Anna Zlokovic

Just like the iconic Trick ‘r Treat Halloween horror anthology from 2007, this V/H/S/Halloween installment has a little something for most horror fans. Not least delicious horror references and lots of practical effects.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a V/H/S/Halloween sequel to be greenlit for a 2026 release. Also, plenty of other holiday-themed installments are up for grabs. From Christmas to Valentine’s Day. Just sayin’.

V/H/S/Halloween is Streaming Exclusively on Shudder from October 3, 2025.

Plot

A collection of Halloween-themed videotapes unleashes a series of twisted, blood-soaked tales, turning trick-or-treat into a struggle for survival.

ADORABLE HUMANS is a new horror anthology based on stories from the famous Danish fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen. Solid practical effects and a wonderful overall production, you’ll want to watch. Read our overall Adorable Humans movie review here!

ADORABLE HUMANS is a Danish horror anthology (org. title: Yndige mennesker) with four short films that ultimately tie into one another. I am a sucker for an overall connection in place of a wrap-around segment that doesn’t really relate to any of the shorts.

For this anthology, all the segments are based on stories from the iconic fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen. I preferred some more than others, but none of them were bad, which is already a great starting point.

Continue reading our Adorable Humans movie review below.

Four stories about human nature

At its core, Adorable Humans is about human nature. Particularly, these stories show the darker sides of human nature.

With the first story, THE DEAD MAN, it’s mostly about everything from care and sacrifice to almost diabolical want. The second, THE STORY OF A MOTHER, is mostly about death and grief.

Then comes the third, THE SNOW QUEEN, about shame and desire, while finally, the fourth, AUNTIE TOOTHACHE, could be described as desperation.

What all of them have in common is asking oneself the question: What am I ready to do or give in order to get what I want?

Am I oversimplifying the stories right now? Oh yeah, absolutely. Fairy tales have always been about getting to the moral of the story. The same goes for the segments of this horror anthology.

The horror of fairytales and poems

I have always loved fairytales and adventures, which do tend to often have some elements of horror or something supernatural to them, so it makes perfect sense to me that stories and poems by Hans Christian Andersen could be adapted in that direction.

And yes, poems can also be very horror-fueled. I mean, ever heard of Edgar Allen Poe?!

With Adorable Humans, it truly is all about human nature and how we respond to things like death, desire, and greed. With lots of practical effects to amp up the horror, this horror anthology worked much better than I dared hope!

Actors in these four segments (several characters overlap in some ways) include Albert Rudbeck Lindhardt, Frederik Carlsen, Mie Gren, Nadia Nouamani, Lisa Otto, Anna Reumert, Michael Worthman, Adam Ild Rohweder, Iben Skau, Peter Høgsbro, and Sus Wilkins.

Watch Adorable Humans when you get the chance

The four writer-directors behind the four short films in the anthology are Anders Jon Petersen, Kasper Juhl, Michael Kunov, and Michael Panduro. As contemporary horror adaptations based on his work, Hans Christian Andersen is obviously also credited as a writer.

This horror anthology is a classic indie production made with heart and passion. Yes, despite being based on one of the most well-known Danish authors ever, the Danish Film Institute (DFI) was not involved with the production.

The movie was produced for around 500,000 Danish kroner, which is less than 80,000 US dollars. It’s an extremely small budget with four writer-directors plus a cast that includes actors who have starred in Netflix productions.

Adorable Humans is currently screening at film festivals worldwide.

Details

THE DEAD MAN
Written and directed by Anders Jon, starring Albert Rudbeck Lindhardt and Sus Wilkins

THE STORY OF A MOTHER
Written and directed by Michael Kunov, starring Mille Maria Dalsgaard and Marinus Refnov

THE SNOW QUEEN
Written and directed by Kasper Juhl, starring Mie Gren and Adam Ild Rohweder

AUNTIE TOOTHACHE
Written and directed by Michael Panduro, starring Peter Høgsbro and Iben Skau

LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS: Volume 4 (or Season 4) on Netflix offers ten new genre short films. Great variety in style and story, so you should find something to your liking. Read our full Love, Death & Robots S4 review here!

LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS: Volume 4 (or Season 4) is now on Netflix, and the genre anthology is very entertaining. You can easily watch it in one sitting, as some of the episodes are just a few minutes long.

I love some of the episodes of this fourth installment, while a few of them didn’t do much for me. Still, with these short runtimes, you can easily accept that each episode isn’t your cup of tea. And sometimes, I was even surprised by what I found myself enjoying.

Continue reading our Love, Death & Robots S4 review below. Find all ten episodes of Volume 4 on Netflix from May 15, 2025.

A quick rundown of Volume 4

In this fourth season (or volume) of Love, Death & Robots, we’re getting the same very diverse (which is not, nor has it ever been, a bad thing) storytelling. Also, while this series is usually animated in various ways, this season has one live-action episode as well.

We’ll do a quick rundown of each episode. This will include details like the director and writer of each episode, along with our rating of it. Keep in mind that many of these stories are less than ten minutes long, but I assure you they’ll make an impact.

As always, creators David Fincher and Tim Miller are presenting the series and are directing episodes.

“CAN’T STOP” is Episode 1 of Volume 4 (S4E1)

Experience Red Hot Chili Peppers as string puppets in this Volume 4 opener directed by David Fincher, who made his name as a music video director.

Director: David Fincher
Music, Lyrics, & Performance: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Animation Studio: Blur Studio.
Voice Cast: Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, Chad Smith

Our rating: 3/5
“Can’t Stop” is visually gorgeous and a fun opener, but nothing more.

“CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE MINI KIND” is Episode 2 of Volume 4 (S4E2)

This is classic Love, Death & Robots and showcases exactly what I love about the Netflix anthology. See how tiny terror can create an apocalypse in record time because human beings make awful split-second decisions.

Director: Robert Bisi & Andy Lyon
Writer: Robert Bisi & Andy Lyon
Animation Studio: BUCK

Our rating: 5/5
“Close Encounters of the Mini Kind” is a super short story with a lot of content to cover – and comedy to boot. Perfect for anyone who loved episode 4 of Vol. 3 from the same filmmakers.

“Spider Rose” is Episode 3 of Volume 4 (S4E3)

If you’re a fan of the cyberpunk universe of “Swarm” (from Volume 3), then you’re in luck, because we return to this universe. A grieving Mechanist gets a new companion that changes everything as she seeks revenge for her husband.

Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Writer: Joe Abercrombie, based on the short story by Bruce Sterling
Animation Studio: Blur Studio
Voice Cast: Emily O’Brien, Feodor Chin, Piotr Michael & Sumalee Montano

Our rating: 4/5
“Spider Rose” is a visual masterpiece with a story that is fueled by vengeance but will pull on your heartstrings.

“400 Boys” is Episode 4 of Volume 4 (S4E4)

Set in a post-apocalyptic city full a gangs that must come together to fight the latest gang: The 400 Boys.

Director: Robert Valley
Writer: Tim Miller, based on the short story by Marc Laidlaw
Animation Studio: Passion Animation, a Division of Passion Pictures
Voice Cast: John Boyega, Ed Skrein, Sienna King, Dwane Walcott, Rahul Kohli, Pamela Nomvete & Amar Chadha-Patel

Our rating: 3/5
“400 Boys” wasn’t my cup of tea. It didn’t really strike a nerve with me as the animation style combined with the story just didn’t hit home with me. However, I am certain others will love it.

“The Other Large Thing” is Episode 5 of Volume 4 (S4E5)

This is the story of a cat who desires world domination. His idiotic humans have named him “Sanchez”, which he rejects, but when they bring home a new robotic butler (John Oliver), the two join forces, and the mastermind plan of the cat escalates quickly.

Director: Patrick Osborne
Writer: John Scalzi
Animation Studio: AGBO
Voice Cast: Chris Parnell, John Oliver, Fred Tatasciore & Rachel Kimsey

Our rating: 5/5
“The Other Large Thing” is easily my favorite episode of Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4. Not that I didn’t enjoy many others, but I could’ve watched a feature film or an entire series of this world.

“Golgotha” is Episode 6 of Volume 4 (S4E6)

One of the rare live-action entries in the Love, Death + Robots anthology series. We meet a conscientious vicar (Rhys Darby), being an emissary of an alien race who believes their messiah has been reborn on earth… as a dolphin. Yes, this is about a Dolphin-Jesus.

Director: Tim Miller
Writer: Joe Abercrombie, based on the short story by Dave Hutchinson
Animation Studio: Luma Pictures (VFX)
Voice Cast: Rhys Darby, Moe Daniels, Graham McTavish, Phil Morris, Michelle Lukes & Matthew Waterson

Our rating: 4/5
“Golgotha” is a short and simple story that gets the job done. I liked it even if it wasn’t the most fleshed-out story. Seeing live-action in the middle of all the animation threw me for a second, but it wasn’t a bad thing. There are still lots of special effects in the episode.

“The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur” is Episode 7 of Volume 4 (S4E7)

We’re on a space station orbiting Jupiter, where decadent aristocrats are “enjoying” gladiator matches involving dinosaurs as part of a wedding celebration. Oh, and the gladiators are (of course) genetically modified as well. Who will come out on top?! Watch it to find out.

Director: Tim Miller
Writer: Tim Miller, based on the short story by Stant Litore
Animation Studio: Blur Studio
Voice Cast: MrBeast & Bai Ling

Our rating: 4/5
“The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur” offers a story that feels very classic despite the heavily sci-fi-inspired world. I loved the story, the visual style, and the execution, so I was a happy camper. Especially the ending was quite satisfying, I must admit.

“How Zeke Got Religion” is Episode 8 of Volume 4 (S4E8)

With this short, we’re back in World War II and onboard the B-17 Flying Fortress Liberty Belle. Currently, the plane and crew are on the oddest mission of the Second World War: Fly into occupied France and bomb a church where the Nazis are trying to raise an ancient evil.

Director: Diego Porral
Writer: J.T. Petty, based on the short story by John McNichol
Animation Studio: Titmouse
Voice Cast: Keston John, Braden Lynch, Roger Craig Smith, Gary Furlong, Bruce Thomas, Andrew Morgado & Scott Whyte

Our rating: 4/5
“How Zeke Got Religion” is another strong story told in a simple but very efficient way. Once again, you feel like this story could be used in a feature film of some kind.

“Smart Appliances, Stupid Owners” is Episode 9 of Volume 4 (S4E9)

In the penultimate episode of Volume 4, we’re getting a very short and extremely funny short film. Witness the poor smart appliances reveal increasingly strange tales of how their human owner use (and often misuse) them for various purposes.

Directed by Patrick Osborne, of Vol. 3 favorite “Three Robots: Exit Strategies.”
Director: Patrick Osborne
Writer: John Scalzi
Animation Studio: Aaron Sims Creative
Voice Cast: Melissa Villaseñor, Ronny Chieng, Amy Sedaris, Kevin Hart, Josh Brener, Nat Faxon, Niecy Nash-Betts & Brett Goldstein

Our rating: 5/5
“Smart Appliances, Stupid Owners” is another favorite episode of Volume 4. I wanted to rewatch it as soon as it ended. Notice the many amazing and familiar voices in the episode.

“For He Can Creep” is Episode 10 of Volume 4 (S4E10)

With the final episode of Love, Death + Robots Vol. 4, we’re going back in time to London in 1757. There, we meet a poet who has been confined to an insane asylum because he believes Satan wants him to write a verse that will end the world.

Fortunately, his cat Jeoffry is there to help him battle the Prince of Darkness.

Director: Emily Dean
Writer: Tamsyn Muir, based on the short story by Siobhan Carroll
Animation Studio: Polygon Pictures Inc.
Voice Cast: Dan Stevens, JB Blanc, Jim Broadbent, Nika Futterman, Jane Leeves & Dave B. Mitchell

Our rating: 4/5
“For He Can Creep” is a really good episode, but watching it right on the heels of “Smart Appliances, Stupid Owners” isn’t ideal. I wish they had made this episode the penultimate and allowed episode 9 to be the finale instead. I think it would’ve worked better.

Watch Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4 on Netflix now

As always, creators David Fincher (Se7en, Mindhunter, The Killer) and Tim Miller (Deadpool, Terminator: Dark Fate) are presenting the series and are directing episodes.

Back as supervising directors for all ten short films is Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2, Kill Team Kill). This Netflix anthology series offers a brilliant and award-winning style-hybrid of animation that showcases Horror, Sci-Fi, and Comedy in short story form.

Whether you love Dinosaur gladiators, Cats plotting for world domination, Rock stars as string-puppets, or a post-apocalyptic world threatened by giant killer babies, Love, Death & Robots should have something that will tickle your fancy. Enjoy!

All 10 episodes of Love, Death & Robots S4 are on Netflix from May 15, 2025.

Plot

Dinosaur gladiators, messianic cats, string-puppet rock stars — it can only be Love, Death + Robots. The fourth volume, presented by Tim Miller and David Fincher, sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson return as supervising director for ten startling shorts showcasing the series’ signature, award-winning style of bleeding-edge animation, horror, sci-fi, and humor. Buckle up.

TALES FROM THE VOID on Screambox is a new Horror Anthology series based on stories from the “No Sleep” subreddit. Each episode features one story and a brief interview with the author. Read our Tales from the Void review here!

TALES FROM THE VOID is a new Screambox series. It’s a horror anthology and often the episodes also include elements of sci-fi or thriller. As it’s so often the case – and also why we cover these three genres along with true crime documentaries here on Heaven of Horror.

For this new Screambox anthology, the stories come from Reddit. Specifically, the “No Sleep” subreddit, and for each story told, we also get a quick interview with the writer after the feature element. I loved hearing from the often hidden contributor: The writer!

Continue reading our Tales from the Void review below. Find the first two episodes on Screambox on October 13, 2024.

From Reddit’s NoSleep to Screambox

In the old days, CreepyPasta was the place to find creepy short stories, and now Reddit’s NoSleep community is one of the biggest forums for that niche. In fact, the author of the first episode story even mentions that he started out on CreepyPasta.com so the connection is obvious.

With the Tales from the Void anthology on Screambox, you’ll get a new Horror Anthology Series that feels like many of the others. Still, this one does manage to set itself apart by focusing on the authors and their ideas and reasons for writing the short story adapted.

Also, there is always room for more well-made horror content, which Tales from the Void certainly delivers. Not only is the production quality impressive, but the stories and acting also deliver on an impressive level.

It all begins with “Into the Unknown”

Prior to the release of the first two episodes of Tales from the Void, we were given access to the first episode, which is what we’re basing this review on.

The first story is “Into the Unknown” and offers an extremely simple setup that works thanks to the character-driven story. A pitch-black square suddenly appears outside an apartment complex. It’s flat and doesn’t reflect light or do anything else.

It’s just there in all its eerie and ominous glory.

DETAILS ABOUT EPISODE 1 “INTO THE UNKNOWN”

When a mysterious black square appears in the middle of an apartment complex, suspicions develop between neighbors about the horrors it may bring. As mistrust grows, they slowly learn that the square isn’t the only thing to be afraid of.

The director is Joe Lynch and it’s based on the r/NoSleep story “The Black Square” by Matthew Dymerski. Tales from the Void stars Mpho Koaho, Martin Roach, Joey Freddy Larsen, and John Thomas Gauthier.

What the episode is mostly about is how people react. No one calls the authorities because they don’t trust them to know what to do. Also, there are people who are quick to appoint themselves as the leaders of the community and they put themselves in charge.

We know this dynamic from every single post-apocalyptic movie. Whether it’s zombies, aliens, or disease, someone is always ready to make themselves “boss” of everyone else.

What happens from this point on is something you should experience for yourself!

Start watching Tales from the Void on Screambox

The new SCREAMBOX Original horror anthology series Tales from the Void is an October  2024 event. The series will be released with two episodes every Sunday between October 13 and October 27. The anthology was created by Francesco Loschiavo.

All episodes are based on popular viral stories from Reddit’s NoSleep community. The directors on these episodes include Joe Lynch (Mayhem, Suitable Flesh), John Adams & Toby Poser (Hellbender, Where the Devil Roams), Mariette Lee Go (Black as Night), and the creator Francesco Loschiavo.

Each episode is also accompanied by an interview with the original author. This part is aptly hosted by the No Sleep Podcast creator David Cummings. Be sure to check it out as the episodes are released on Screambox. I know I will!

The Tales from the Void anthology premieres on Screambox on October 13, 2024. Episodes will also be available to buy or rent via digital platforms the following Tuesday.

V/H/S/ BEYOND on Shudder is the latest installment of the popular Found Footage Anthology. This 2024 addition is a mixed bag with some wonderful surprises. Read our full V/H/S/Beyond movie review here!

V/H/S/ BEYOND is the newest Shudder addition to the Found Footage anthology that began with V/H/S/ in 2012. This time, we’re getting both good and not-so-good, but isn’t that always the case with anthologies?!

Fortunately, this one is mostly good. Of course, that’s a matter of opinion and taste, but I was mostly well-entertained. Like the very first installment, the runtime is right around two hours.

Continue reading our V/H/S/ Beyond movie review below. Find it on Shudder from October 4, 2024.

The short films in V/H/S/Beyond 

Some of the short films in V/H/S/ Beyond are worthy of feature-length versions. Let’s do a quick rundown of the short films in this newest anthology in the Found Footage Franchise.

“The Wrap”, directed by Jay Cheel

This story is the “wrap-around” element that we keep coming back to. It explores some video tapes that supposedly prove alien abduction. Real or not? That’s what we keep coming back to.

Can the two VHS tapes marked “Proof 1” and “Proof 2” prove anything? You be the judge.

“Stork” is directed by Jordan Downey

The first actual short film is Stork which is a fascinating watch. It’s based on art by the artist Oleg Vdovenko, so this is his creation. It feels like we’re in a video game as the Found Footage is recorded from a first-person video game POV.

Set in a grimy flashlight-lit world, you will see fascinating creatures. Not least the title character!

“Dream Girl” is directed by Virat Pal

Not a big fan of this one though it had some good elements. Dream Girl is the second short film, where we follow two Indian paparazzi who need to get shots of the Bollywood superstar Tara in her trailer.

I loved that we got a segment from India (the first in the V/H/S/ franchise), but not that so much time was spent on a song and dance routine. Particularly as the whole “Found footage”-element was non-existent for that sequence.

And then what’s the point of being in a found footage anthology?

“Live and Let Dive” is directed by Justin Martinez

With short film number three, I was very happy. It has everything I want from a POV and found footage short film. Fast-paced with characters you immediately become familiar with and care about.

Just a shame that it’s virtually impossible for any of them to survive. First, they have to make it through a brutal skydiving experience after a UFO hits their airplane. Then the creatures from inside the UFO are after them. It’s wild!

Director Justin Martinez was also part of the original 2012 V/H/S/.

“Fur Babies” co-directed by Christian Long and Justin Long

Oh yeah, now we’re really getting into the good stuff. Justin Long is no stranger to horror, but his brother (and co-director of this short film), Christian Long, had no prior experience in the horror genre.

Well, you wouldn’t know that from watching Fur Babies. While most other short films have an alien story, this one took another route. One that reminded me of Tusk (which Justin Long starred in) and the brilliant Norwegian Good Boy.

It all begins with the cheerful woman, Becky, who runs a doggy daycare. Enjoy this twisted little creature feature horror story in V/H/S/ Beyond!

“Stowaway” directed by Kate Siegel – final short of V/H/S/ Beyond

This final short film of V/H/S/ Beyond is Kate Siegel’s directorial debut. The screenplay comes from her very frequent collaborator (and husband), Mike Flanagan. The two have been working together for years, so it’s only natural.

I loved the first part of Stowaway and only had issues with the very last part because it was difficult to watch. As in visually hard to make out what was happening. It’s very intentional but more than what’s good.

Kate Siegel (co-writer of Hush) is bound to direct more in the future and judging from Stowaway, I’m ready for it. Especially that first part of the short film.

Ultimately, Kate Siegel has commented that this lives as the intersection of Contact and The Fly, which makes perfect sense to me. It also explains why the visuals are distorted towards the end.

I just wish it hadn’t been to such a great extent, because I liked it otherwise.

Watch V/H/S/ Beyond on Shudder!

I do have one issue with this installment of the anthology. The very core found footage element seems to have been forgotten.

At least in some cases. I mean, the “beyond”-element sometimes ends in space. And how does a camera heading away from our planet become “found footage” on Earth? Especially around the same time.

I can live with it because I recognize that using this popular franchise name is a way to get people watching. However, it’s a shame that it isn’t more of a focus.

This is the seventh installment in the V/H/S/ franchise. Maybe Shudder should create a new anthology focusing on short films without “Found Footage” as the common denominator. In turn, V/H/S/ could focus on it again.

V/H/S/Beyond premieres on Shudder on October 4, 2024.

Plot

V/H/S/BEYOND, the seventh installment of the V/H/S franchise will feature six new bloodcurdling tapes, placing horror at the forefront of a sci-fi-inspired hellscape.

TASTES OF HORROR is a new South Korean horror anthology (org. title: Goe-dam-man-chan). Lots of really disturbing and amazing horror shorts. Not any real misses, but several hard hits. Read our full Tastes of Horror movie review here!

TASTES OF HORROR is a new horror anthology from South Korea (org. title: Goe-dam-man-chan). Or as it’s officially described, this is “an omnibus-style film” made by five different directors. And yes, the stories differ wildly but work as a whole.

Whatever you want to call it, this offers a lot of really amazing horror shorts. The kind that manages to build up a whole little world within minutes, and then have it crash down on both its characters and us viewers. It’s pretty awesome!

Continue reading our Tastes of Horror movie review below. Out digitally from June 25, 2024.

The six horror shorts in Tastes of Horror

The short films in this horror collection are very different, but somehow feel like they belong together. Here are some brief descriptions of each short film in Tastes of Horror.

“Four-legged Beast”

A girl struggling to ace her tests is constantly punished by her mother. Then she sees a ghost that tells her she needs to kill a four-legged animal and she will do better in school. Let’s suffice to say that things spiral out of control.

“Ding Dong Challenge”

This story depicts high school girls trying out a bizarre dance ritual that supposedly grants them their wishes if they succeed. A take on the various TikTok challenges, but with a supernatural twist that has a Ringu vibe to it.

“Resident-only Fitness Center”

In an apartment building, a 24-hour fitness center closes early to save money on utilities. This leads to an accident which in turn leads to the fitness center being haunted. Good luck to the residents who attempt to work out late at night.

“Rehabilitation”

An emergency rescue worker, Ji Yeon, wakes up trapped in a secret and mysterious room. She was injured during a rescue operation where she appeared to lose her legs. This will likely confuse you at first, but the ending explains everything.

“Jackpot”

See what happens when people stay at a cheap motel after losing all their money. Or rather, what happens when a greedy winner arrives with his jackpot in a sports bag as this is the main story. Being greedy and paranoid can be good… or deadly!

“Gluttony”

As soon as I saw this title, I knew we’d be going down the mukbang rabbit hole – and I was not disappointed. A famous mukbang Youtuber (or “YouTrip” in this short despite using Google to search later) calls out a fellow eater during a live show.

Later, this competitor will make a comeback and challenge her in a mukbang challenge to end all mukbang challenges. It’s live, it’s wild, and it has a stellar final moment!

A deliciously creepy collection

The stories in this anthology aren’t connected, but it still feels like they belong together in this one movie. Not least due to all of them having a very disturbing vibe and some strong reveals (or plot twists) at the end.

More than one of these could be made into a feature film, while others are simply perfect in this short film format. Either way, you can expect to enjoy them all and just need to look forward to discovering which is your favorite.

The movie has a runtime of approximately 118 minutes, so it’s the length of a feature film. Also, it didn’t feel long, so I was almost sad when it was over.

Watch Tastes of Horror on Digital now!

The Tastes of Horror collection of short films comes from five acclaimed South Korean directors. They are Sang-hoon Ahn, Johnny Chae [as Chae Yeojoon], Yoon Een-Kyoung, Yong-gyun Kim & Dae-wung Lim.

Together, they created one intriguing and disturbing movie from their respective short films.

Usually, there are hits and misses with any anthology. However, every now and then, you can get an anthology (or omnibus-style movie, if you will) where everything works. Sure, I like some of the shorts more than others, but none are bad.

Instead, some are really awesome, which (by comparison) makes others seem subpar. Still, even those I liked the least are better than what we see in many other anthologies. My point is simply this: If you like horror, be sure to watch this one!

Tastes of Horror (org. title: Goe-dam-man-chan) is out on Digital from June 25, 2024.

Details

Directors: Ahn Sang-hoon, Yoon Een-Kyoung, Kim Yong-gyun, Lim Dae-woong, Chae Yeo-jun
Stars: Chang Seung-yeon, Oh Seung-hee, Jang Ye-eun, Shin Eun-soo, Kim Ho-jung, Kim Tae-hun, Jo Jae-yun, Yoon Hyun-min, Jang Gwang, Son Jina, Lee Joo-young, Kim Joo-ryong, Choi Su-im, Park Jin-a

Plot

TASTES OF HORROR is a compilation of six short films directed by five of the most acclaimed directors of the genre in South Korea.

SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL EXTREME on Netflix is a horror anthology from the Philippines. There are three stories in this one and they are wildly different, so there’s a chance you’ll find something you like. I did. Read our full Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme movie review here!

SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL EXTREME is now on Netflix and this horror anthology franchise truly is an institution in the Philippines. This is the sixteenth installment of the anthology that began in 1984. In other words, it can celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. Only very few horror franchises from anywhere in the world last that long.

The runtime of this horror anthology is 2 hours and 28 minutes, which is very long. However, it’s divided into three completely separate stories. If you start watching one and it doesn’t work for you, you can fast-forward to the next one. Personally, I preferred the second one as it was a horror-comedy and just worked for me.

Continue reading our Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme movie review below. Find it on Netflix from March 1, 2024.

The three stories of the horror anthology

As already mentioned, there are three stories in the Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme horror anthology, and I definitely found my favorite. However, I also recognize that a quick look at a few user reviews revealed that favorites differ wildly. Some hated my personal favorite and loved the one I loathed. Others liked them all or none of them.

Basically, you’ll just have to give them a shot and see what you like. As with most horror anthologies, I suppose. And actually, the V/H/S franchise is a fairly good comparison to this one from the Philippines. The one main difference is that Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme doesn’t have a wrap-around story.

You just get three separate horror movies with runtimes of around 45 minutes, so let’s get to them.

“Glitch” is the first story

In this first story of Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme, we meet Ingrid (Iza Calzado). She is a single mother living in a nice house and working for a fashion designer. She’s so busy that she doesn’t have much time for her two children, so she just buys them stuff.

Her eldest son, Patrick (Miggs Cuaderno) is a rebellious teenager and her 6-year-old daughter Lyka (Jewel Milag) just wants her iPad. And then she befriends a new toy, Gary the Goat. He’s a character from the children’s show in the 70s, and the episode actually begins in California in 1993, where we also see Gary the Goat. So we know where it’s heading!

It will get bloody, and despite using some practical effects (and a relatively minimal amount of CGI) I wasn’t a happy horror camper.

Our rating: 1/5

“Mukbang” is the second story and my favorite

In Mukbang, we meet a group of influencers (Jane Oineza, RK Bagatsing, AC Bonifacio, Ninong Ry, Phi Palmos, and Esnyr Ranollo) as they travel to a luxurious mansion for an event. One that includes eating a lot of food while filming themselves for their various channels.

After all, the title of this episode is the name of a niche of videos where people consume vast amounts of food while interacting with the audience.

WHAT DOES MUKBANG MEAN?

The word mukbang is a sort of hybrid word. It comes from combining the Korean word for “eating” (mugneun) with the word for “broadcast” or “show” (bangsong) resulting in MukBang. The combination essentially then becomes “eatshow” which is exactly what Mukbang is.

However, they won’t be eating what they usually do as they’re joined by two new influencers (Paul Salas and Elle Villanueva) who are… different. They are shape-shifters with a taste for human flesh and blood.

I always like horror comedies that use practical effects and get kitsch and campy. The Mukbang segment of Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme delivers on both, so I was entertained. It could’ve been better, but it’s still very much worth watching for anyone who likes over-the-top horror comedy.

Our rating: 3/5

“Rage” is the final (and most brutal) story

When a meteor shower results in strange rocks landing in a village, it has an immediate effect on those who come into contact with them. A group of graduated college students (Jane De Leon, Paolo Gumabao, Rob Gomez, Dustin Yu, and Mika Reins) have traveled from the university in Manila. This will be the last thing many of them do!

The celestial rocks from the meteor shower carry a virus that spreads an outbreak of infectious rage.

A comparison to the horror movie The Sadness is very easy to make, but unfortunately, Rage never really comes close to it in terms of quality. The budget and production quality are details, but the story just isn’t strong enough.

If you do like the Rage segment of Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme, then you have a true horror treat in store with The Sadness (2021) from Taiwan. It’s absolutely brutal and crazy but in all the right ways!

Our rating: 2/5

Watch Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme on Netflix now!

As already mentioned, Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme is the sixteenth installment of the Shake, Rattle & Roll horror anthology. However, this is also the first one released in 9 years, so maybe a break was needed. Just as was the case with V/H/S, you will have installments and even whole anthologies that you prefer.

This is the first Shake, Rattle & Roll horror anthology I’ve watched so I can’t compare it to any of its predecessors. However, I did enjoy parts of this one, so I can see the appeal.

Also, as you may know, if you’ve watched other productions from the Philippines, they speak a lot of English as an integrated part of communication. Tagalog and Filipino are spoken as well. Also, the language is heavily influenced by Spanish, so if you speak English and have some knowledge of Spanish, you can keep up for the most part.

Still, you will need subtitles. Especially due to most characters switching a lot between languages. As many bi- or multilingual speakers tend to do.

Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme is on Netflix from March 1, 2024.

Details

Directors: Jerrold Tarog, Joey De Guzman, Richard Somes
Writers: Noreen Capili, Trisha Mae Delez, Rona Lean Sales, Anton Santamaria, Jerrold Tarog
Stars: Jane de Leon, Iza Calzado, Jane Oineza, RK Bagatsing, Donna Carriaga, Angel Guardian, Jewel Milag, Paul Salas, AC Bonifacio, Elle Villanueva Esnyr, Paolo Gumabao, Rob Gomez, Dustin Yu, Bryce Eusebio

Plot

In this spine-chilling anthology, unsuspecting victims encounter surreal monsters, a lethal kids show and a zombie apocalypse.

DISCO INFERNO on Netflix is a new horror short film with a simple but quite strong story. One you could imagine turning into a feature film. Whether that would work out is the great unknown. I do, however, think there’s enough there to work with. Read our full Disco Inferno horror short review here!

DISCO INFERNO is a new Netflix horror short film that any horror fan should enjoy. Well, certainly anyone who appreciates the more demonic side of horror movies, anyway. The story begins in one time period but ultimately plays out a few decades later.

In other words, there’s enough to work with in this horror short that I could imagine it being adapted into a feature film. It happens quite often, after all, so why not with this one?! Check it out on Netflix now and see if you don’t agree.

Continue reading our Disco Inferno horror short review below.

Dancing for your life

In Disco Inferno, we meet a young couple getting ready to participate in a dancing competition in LA in the 1970s. There is a brief dance sequence that feels directly out of Saturday Night Fever and I loved it. Don’t worry if this isn’t your jam – even if it is actual cinematic history – the horror comes both before and after the dancing.

We are at a disco, though, so other people are still dancing.

For our dancing queen, however, things are about to get quite diabolic in the old church turned into a discotheque. Try to pay attention to just how many upside-down crucifixes you can catch in this Netflix horror short. There are quite a lot in both the background and various reflections.

Official plot versus actual story

Admittedly, this is a pet peeve of mine, but I don’t like it when the trailer for a movie includes scenes that aren’t in the actual film or if the official plot doesn’t match the actual story. In this Netflix horror short, the official plot talks about a young couple who conjure up something and this dark presence wanting their unborn baby.

I think you’ll agree with me when you watch this horror short (and you should), that the story is somewhat different.

There is a young couple, but only the woman is being chased by the dark presence. However, the plot also mentions a dance floor at the hottest new disco in LA, which is opening in a former church. That part is correct and the place is, in fact, called “Disco Inferno” which is simply brilliant.

Watch the Disco Inferno horror short on Netflix now!

Matthew Castellanos is the co-writer and director of the new horror short film. He wrote it with co-writer Mike Ambs. Previously, Matthew Castellanos has been working in the fantasy and horror genre, so his career is already dedicated to genre productions.

Fuller House star Soni Bringas is the star of this horror short film with Stephen Ruffin (Snowfall, 15 Cameras) as her co-star. Finally, we have Helene Udy to round out the main cast. She’s the one I recognize despite her often appearing somewhat obscured. You may know Helene Udy from My Bloody Valentine (1981), The Dead Zone (1983), or more recently the Fight Night CRYPT TV series.

There’s another Netflix horror short coming out on the same day as this one. It’s called Flashback and has a much lighter tone and lower age rating. Disco Inferno has an 18 rating in the United Kingdom and a TV-MA rating in the United States. This should tell you that it does get quite dark.

Disco Inferno is on Netflix from October 20, 2023.

Details

Director: Matthew Castellanos
Writers: Mike Ambs, Matthew Castellanos
Stars: Soni Bringas, Stephen Ruffin, Helene Udy

Plot

A young couple conjures a dark presence that hungers for their unborn baby as they prepare to burn up the dance floor at LA’s hottest disco.

Flashback on Netflix is a new horror short film by a co-writer of the extremely popular Shudder movie HOST. It even has several cast members from that movie. While it’s a horror short, it also features a few other genres. Read our Flashback horror short film review here and find it on Netflix now!

Flashback is a new Netflix horror short film, which isn’t something we’ve seen much of, but that might change. On this October 2023 day alone, we’re getting two new horror short films. We also reviewed the Netflix short film Weathering back in April 2023. I very much recommend checking that one out as well.

The runtime for this new horror short from Jed Shepherd is officially 16 minutes, but more like ten minutes. However, there are some extra details during the credits, so don’t move on too quickly.

Continue reading our Flashback horror short film review below. Released on Netflix on October 20, 2023.

Time travel in the name of love

As already mentioned, the Flashback horror short film on Netflix covers more than “just” the horror genre. We’re getting time travel, which is distinctly sci-fi, and also a sweet story about love, which is universal. After all, many of the very best genre movies have an element of love. Whether romantic or platonic, love comes above all else in the end.

In this horror short, we meet a yoga teacher who has her life flash before her eyes during a deadly home invasion. Through focus and dedication, she manages to use this “life flashing before my eyes”-moment to stop in a specific memory. Essentially, turning the experience into a time machine of sorts.

All in a desperate attempt to save the love of her life.

Short film, familiar faces

The yoga teacher is portrayed by Jemma Moore, who is someone you’ll surely recognize if you’ve watched the Shudder movie HOST. And if you haven’t then you absolutely should. From that very same movie, you’ll also recognize Haley Bishop, who plays her best friend here in Flashback.

The love interest is yet another familiar face in the form of Amar Chadha-Patel. He was not in HOST but he was in the next movie written by this short filmmaker. It was titled Dashcam. However, I suspect more people will recognize Amar Chadha-Patel from the Willow series (despite Disney+ brutally removing it from its platform once it wasn’t renewed) or maybe The Third Day limited HBO series.

All three actors portray key characters, but the absolute star of the movie is Jemma Moore. Despite her character also being portrayed by other actors at younger ages. You’ll see, I mean she does have the whole “life flash before her eyes”-moment.

Watch the Flashback (2023) short on Netflix now!

The Netflix horror short was written and directed by Jed Shepherd. Now, there’s a name we seem to come across more and more these years. Not only did he co-write the Rob Savage-directed feature films Host and Dashcam, but he also worked on a horror anthology.

Jed Shepherd wrote and directed a segment of Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge. Oh yeah, the title is quite a mouthful, but the genre anthology is a lot of fun and tends to always have something for everyone. Going back to 2017, he worked on the series Bite Size Horror and wrote the Dawn of the Dead short film in 2016, also with director Rob Savage and co-starring actor Haley Bishop.

The new horror short film has an age rating of 12 in the UK and TV-14 in the US, so while it’s dark, it’s nothing too crazy. Then again, the home invasion part of the story is obviously brutal and scary for viewers of any age.

Flashback is on Netflix from October 20, 2023.

Details

Director: Jed Shepherd
Writer: Jed Shepherd
Stars: Jemma Moore, Haley Bishop, Amar Chadha-Patel, Maya Graham, Scroobius Pip

Plot

A yoga teacher’s life flashes before her eyes during a deadly home invasion, sending her on a desperate race through her past to save the man she loves.

CREEPSHOW Season 4 on Shudder has six new episodes – and you can binge them all in one go. All episodes premiere on Friday the 13th of October. Not all seasons have been as good as one could hope, but this one has a lot of great episodes. Read our full Creepshow season 4 review here!

CREEPSHOW Season 4 is coming to Shudder on Friday the 13th of October with all six episodes. They’re calling it a “binge premiere” and you very well could binge-watch this season. Unlike some of the previous seasons, this one has overwhelmingly good stories. That’s not to say that Creepshow doesn’t always manage to deliver some good episodes.

I just feel like some of the previous seasons have had a little too much of a “mixed bag” quality. Whether it’s the Friday the 13th binge premiere that has made them pull out better stories or just me being more susceptible to their qualities shall remain unknown. Just know that there are a lot of great stories for you. And yes, we have watched all six episodes for this review.

Continue reading our Creepshow season 4 review below. The season Binge Premieres on Shudder on October 13, 2023.

Creepshow Season 4 Episode 1

The new season opens with two strong stories, so let’s get to it.

“Twenty Minutes with Cassandra” and “Smile” are the stories of Creepshow S4E1

The opening story of season 4 is “Twenty Minutes with Cassandra” which was written by Jamie Flanagan. And yes, he is the brother of Mike Flanagan and has written on his brilliant shows as well. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the cast features two Flanagan alumni actors; Samantha Sloyan and Ruth Codd.

The title character of Cassandra (or just “Cassie”) is being chased by a monster and endangers a kind stranger when she asks for help. By doing so, they are both trapped, but what can they do? The segment is directed by Creepshow showrunner Greg Nicotero.

Next is “Smile” which features a celebrated photographer, who finds himself tormented due to an award-winning photograph. Sometimes a picture isn’t worth more than a thousand words explaining to whole situation. Written by Mike Scannell and directed by John Harrison.

“The Hat” and “Grieving Process” segments of Creepshow S4E2

The first story of episode 2 is “The Hat”. The story is about a horror novelist who has severe writer’s block. Fortunately, his agent has just the right thing. The hat worn by none other than Stephen Bachman. Of course, the struggling author can’t resist… he also can’t write if he stops wearing the hat, which takes away all concepts of time and space.

Fun fact: The name Stephen Bachman is a combination of Stephen King and Richard Bachman. However, the latter is a pen name used by King, so it’s an inside hybrid name for the one amazing horror author.

The second story is “Grieving Process”, where we meet Richard (not Bachman) who finds himself in quite a predicament. His wife has been attacked and is but a shell of the woman he loved. Within a short time, Richard is ready to do anything to help her feel better. This is put to the test and it appears Richard is ready to deliver.

Writers on episode 402: Byron Willinger, Philip de Blasi, Mike D McCarty, John Esposito

Directors of episode 402: Kailey Spear, and Sam Spear (they also directed on Two Sentence Horror Stories)

Episode 402 will air on Friday, October 20 at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.

“Parent Deathtrap” and “To Grandmother’s House We Go” are episode 3 of season 4

“Parent Deathtrap” is a nice little surprise in terms of how it evolves. It’s a cautionary tale in many different ways, which Lyle learns only too late. He is a disappointment to his wealthy parents, who constantly meddle in his life. Unfortunately, their plan backfires, and now Lyle has to deal with the aftermath.

“To Grandmother’s House We Go” is a wonderful little treat with a very campy and kitsch vibe. A touch of heartbreak but also plenty of uplifting moments. As with any good fairytale. Marcia needs to take her stepdaughter to the girl’s grandmother’s house to claim their inheritance. However, this simple task is easier said than done.

Writers on episode 403: Erik Sandoval, Michael Rousselet, William Butler

Directors on episode 403: PJ Pesce, Justin Dyck

Episode 403 will air on Friday, October 27 at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.

“Meet the Belaskos” and “Cheat Code” are episode 404

“Meet the Belaskos” is a sweet love story. Or rather, it’s a vampire story meets Romeo & Juliet. No, not like Twilight. This story has more of a True Blood vibe as vampires aren’t in hiding. They do, however, suffer from racist humans around them. This definitely makes the story an intriguing and obvious analogy to the world we live in.

“Cheat Code” is pure nostalgia as a father and son bond by playing an old video game. However, this is Creepshow so you can expect to discover why the video game was abandoned. And why all copies seem to have disappeared. There’s a touch of Jumanji to this story, though it isn’t that story. The overlap between our world and a game world does become apparent rather fast though.

Episode 404 Writers: John Esposito, Claire Carré, Charles Spano

Episode 404 Directors: John Esposito, Justin Dyck

Episode 404 will air on Friday, November 3 at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.

“Something Burrowed, Something Blue” and “Doodles” Episode 405

“Something Burrowed, Something Blue” opens the penultimate episode of the season. As hinted by the title, we’re heading down the aisle. However, the young couple getting married are gifted something with a catch. The kind of catch that feels distinctly Lovecraftian.

“Doodles” is the second story of season 4, episode 5, and it very appropriately features an aspiring comic artist. She is trying her damndest to get her breakthrough but something always gets in her way. As she doodles mindlessly to battle frustration, she realizes her doodles might have more power than she thinks.

For the record, I loved the very final moments of this episode. You’ll see!

Writers: Todd Spence, Zak White

Directors: John Esposito, PJ Pesce

Episode 405 will air on Friday, November 10 at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.

“George Romero in 3-D!” and “Baby Teeth” is the season 4 final episode

The final episode of season 4 opens with “George Romero in 3-D!”. Here, we come across a struggling bookstore owner who seems destined to close the store. By a miracle, her son finds unpublished works of George Romero in their basement. Hidden comics featuring ghouls – never call them zombies, lest we forget that George Romero called them “Ghouls”. And yes, this is joked about in the episode.

No matter their name, it’s the effect of the 3D glasses that become an issue. It turns out they bring the stories a little too much to life.

Finally, the very last story of season 4 is “Baby Teeth”. Shelby just had all four wisdom teeth removed and also seems to be growing up way too fast for Shelby’s mom. She still has the nursery, from when her daughter was a baby, kept as it was. Unfortunately, the family is about to learn that holding on to childhood relics can be a gateway to danger.

Episode 406 Writers: Todd Spence, Zak White, Melanie Dale

Episode 406 Directors: Greg Nicotero, John Harrison

Season 4, Episode 6 will air on Friday, November 17 at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.

Watch season 4 of Creepshow on Shudder and AMC+

In case you’re so young and unspoiled that you don’t know, Creepshow is based on the 1982 horror comedy classic. In 2019 it was brought back to life by showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead), and it has been a wonderful ride. Well, for the most part anyway. With any anthology, there will always be some stories you enjoy more than others.

It’s always been dubbed “the most fun you’ll ever have being scared” and that is very true for season 4. The segments of Crepshow are also comic book issues coming to life. While I consider myself a fast reader, I can never quite manage to read those comic book pages that are shown before the story begins.

I usually find myself pausing, though you really can watch any segment fine without the information. If you’re in the mood for “exploring terrors ranging from murder, creatures, monsters, and delusions to the supernatural and unexplainable” then be sure to check out season 4 of Creepshow. And really, when is one not in the mood for those things?!

CREEPSHOW season 4 premieres with all six episodes exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ on Friday, October 13th, 2023. 

The six-episode binge premiere is exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ with new episodes airing weekly at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.