THE FORBIDDEN LANDS is an Italian folk horror movie (org. title: Le Terre Incolte). I was surprised that it was more fantasy-laced than I expected, so that threw me off a little. However, I absolutely respected the choices and the use of practical effects. Read our The Forbidden Lands movie review here!

THE FORBIDDEN LANDS is a folk horror movie from Italy (org. title: Le Terre Incolte), which threw me for quite a loop. There were elements of it that worked really well, and then other parts that did not work for me at all.

As a result, I’m probably at around a 2½ out of 5, but I am ending on a 2 because I just wasn’t happy with the plot. Specifically, the storytelling needed a stronger sense of direction for me to be satisfied. That’s a personal preference, I recognize that, but here we are.

Continue reading our The Forbidden Lands movie review below.

Superstition in a village

The Forbidden Lands plays out in a small Italian town. When exactly is very difficult to say. The people in the village look like they could be living in two different centuries, if you go by their clothes or the tools they use for their work. Honestly, I never did feel certain whether this was an intentional choice or just the props that were available and/or looked good.

To me, this breaks the illusion very early on, and that is never to the advantage of the movie or story.

Very quickly, it becomes a story of superstition in the Italian village, and I can relate to that. Fear spreads like wildfire after several mysterious deaths in the nearby forest. The villagers are quick to label a young woman as a witch and blame her. Then two strange men arrive, claiming to be messengers of the Lord, and the townspeople see them as saviors.

Classic, right? Blame the strange woman, believe the unknown men.

Fantasy Folk Horror from Italy

Of course, not everyone trusts the men, and women will end up being the saviors in many ways. It begins with one woman, who joins forces with a free-spirited girl and an outcast accused of witchcraft (yep, the “witch”), and together they focus on finding answers instead of making strange offerings to strangers claiming to be sent by God.

Admittedly, The Forbidden Lands was challenged by the previous Italian genre movie I watched. It was called The Holy Boy, and I absolutely loved it. While I recognize this one is very different, I was hoping it would surprise me in positive ways too, and it could not live up to that great expectation.

Mostly, the fantasy elements, which included numerous gorgeous practical effects (always points for that), were not my favorite.

The core plot was very intriguing, but the storytelling itself did not work for me. From the acting to the pacing of it all, I was not a happy camper, so I struggled with that from the end of the first act.

The Forbidden Lands is screening at Film Festivals

Mattia De Pascali is the writer and director of The Forbidden Lands (org. title: Le Terre Incolte), and as an Italian independent filmmaker, he is working with a limited budget. I feel he gets a lot out of what he has to work with. For me, the quality of the production is impressive. The story itself, however, is not so much.

Having said that, I truly believe there’s a type of genre film fan that will adore its vibe. I mean, this could be a little cult picture for some genre fans, while others will end up like me: Strangely confused by the plot and not entirely sold on the acting or the choices in directing.

This genre hybrid of a movie recently premiered in the U.S. during the Los Angeles Fantasia Fest (on November 20, 2025). It was also nominated as one of the ten nominees for Best Horror / Thriller Feature Film. Also, it received an Honorable Mention from the Washington Underground Film Festival, so it’s just getting started.

The Forbidden Lands is screening at film festivals now, but it will be out on VOD (and physical media) later.

Details

Director: Mattia De Pascali
Writer: Mattia De Pascali
Stars: Andrea Cananiello, Denise Cimino, Fabrizio La Monica, Paola Medici, Ivan Raganato, Donatella Reverchon, Alessandro Stajano, Giorgio Recchia, Gianni Rizzo

Plot

In a remote Southern Italian village, fear spreads after a series of mysterious disappearances in the nearby woods. When two strangers arrive claiming to be messengers of the Lord, the desperate townspeople see them as saviors — except for one woman, who, with the help of a free-spirited girl and an outcast accused of witchcraft, uncovers a darker truth that lies beyond the edge of the known world.

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.

WEAPONS is a new horror film by Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind the hit Barbarian. And yes, this one delivers too. It’s a slow-burn horror that unfolds like a puzzle. But patience pays off—because by the end, it turns brutal. Read our full Weapons horror movie review and catch it in theaters!

WEAPONS is best described as a horror mystery. For quite a while, we’re left completely in the dark about what’s going on—or who the villain even is. We witness the same event play out from several different perspectives, though fortunately, it never feels too repetitive.

The runtime clocks in at just over two hours, and while that might sound long, the storytelling more than justifies it. Personally, I never checked the time even once, which says a lot. If you’ve seen Zach Cregger’s previous film, Barbarian, you’ll definitely recognize some of the powerful elements he used back then.

Continue reading our Weapons movie review below. Find it In Theaters from August 8, 2025.

A Lot of Questions, No Easy Answers

As mentioned already, Weapons is very much a horror mystery at its core. The entire plot hinges on the fact that 17 children vanish from their homes at the exact same time in the middle of the night.

That alone is horrific. But it only gets worse.

Aside from some eerie security footage showing the kids leaving their homes simultaneously, there are no clues to follow. All we know is that they were classmates—and one child from that class didn’t join them on that fateful night.

A Puzzle You’re Almost Too Afraid to Solve

The film’s structure is built like a puzzle. We get the story through multiple character perspectives, and the characters include:

• The teacher of the class (Julia Garner)
• The one remaining student (Cary Christopher)
• A grieving parent (Josh Brolin)
• A local cop (Alden Ehrenreich)
• The school principal (Benedict Wong)
• And a local drug addict (Austin Abrams)

It’s an ingenious setup—because we experience the tragedy through those trapped in the center of it, those existing on the fringes, and even potential suspects. These different corners of the puzzle slowly start to reveal the full picture.

However, as it all begins to come together and reveal the truth, things will get truly disturbing. So much so that you almost don’t want to place the final pieces, knowing what kind of grim image is going to emerge.

A Very Unconventional Character

Don’t worry—no spoilers here. That’s not how we do things at Heaven of Horror. Still, be careful about reading too much elsewhere. I’d have been really disappointed if someone had spoiled this one for me.

As already shown in the trailer—and revealed early on in the film—17 kids disappear, and several bizarre deaths start to occur in the quiet town where everything unfolds.

We also meet a strange character, someone who pops up in the background before stepping into focus. It’s clear from the get-go that something is off. But in a town where everyone could be a suspect, you’d do well not to judge too quickly.

That said, this character is unforgettable. 

If Jamie Lee Curtis’s IRS worker from Everything Everywhere All at Once was the Halloween costume of the year a while back, then Amy Madigan as Aunt Gladys just might take over this Halloween season. It’s a wild look.

Watch Weapons in Theaters!

After Barbarian, I was eager to see what Zach Cregger would do next. I can safely say I had no idea what to expect from Weapons, but I’m completely satisfied with what it delivers.

It’s a horror story that stands entirely on its own. And with Weapons, Cregger proves that the unique storytelling style he introduced in 2022 was no fluke.

It’s also a deeply heartbreaking film. After all, we’re dealing with a story where 17 elementary school students vanish without a trace. Also, the one kid who didn’t vanish is left behind to carry an unbearable reality. One where he is somehow seen as both a victim and a suspect.

Yes, Weapons is long. And while the title is a mystery for a long time, it does get explained (though not until late in the film). Some viewers might find it too slow, too strange, or too elusive. But there’s no denying it delivers some truly bone-chilling horror moments!

Weapons premieres in U.S. theaters (and much of the world) on August 8, 2025.

Details

Director: Zach Cregger
Writer: Zach Cregger
Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan

Plot

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

HOOD WITCH is a new survival thriller from France (org. title: Roqya). It surprises, makes you uncomfortable, and keeps you engaged. Golshifteh Farahani stars in the title role and is breathtaking. Read our full Hood Witch movie review here!

HOOD WITCH is a new survival thriller out in theaters and on digital. The story deals with both the role of religion and traditional (alternative) practices that can be labeled as good or bad. If this sounds too “deep” or boring, then I assure you, it is not.

Especially as this is then coupled with the impact of social media and how quickly you can be the subject of an actual witch hunt. In this movie, the main character may be living in the “hood” of present-day Paris, but when she is called a witch, the people chasing her are primeval in method.

Continue reading our Hood Witch movie review below. Find it in Theaters and on VOD from March 21, 2025.

A wild opening scene

While the opening scene of Hood Witch may seem simple, I assure you it will quickly develop into something quite unexpected. Our main character, Nour (Golshifteh Farahani), makes a living from smuggling exotic animals and other illicit products.

Her reason for doing this is that her clients are what many would call witches. Basically, they are people who use animals and plants from nature to create spells and potions. Nour herself is no stranger to the odd little potion either, but that isn’t her business plan.

She’s aiming much higher as her goal is to get her son out of the city (specifically the ghetto-like area of Paris, where they live) to offer him a better future. She has designed an app meant to connect clients with spiritual healers in their area.

What’s the difference between a witch and a preacher?

Nour’s app is an instant success in this world, where people don’t trust modern medicine or can find no cure for their ailments. Unfortunately, the success will end abruptly when someone dies and Nour is blamed and labeled a witch.

Via the very same social media that made her app a success, she is now in the middle of a sh*t storm and hunted all over Paris. Those shouting the loudest about hunting and killing the witch, are those who claim to be religious.

All while they attack Nour for being a witch, they seek various “treatments” from preachers in their own religion. Hood Witch does an excellent job of highlighting that there really is no difference. Whether you invoke the God of your religion or Mother Nature, the methods are eerily similar.

Of course, those hunting Nour see it differently. And Nour herself is one tough mamma. She will do whatever it takes to protect her son and herself. In that order, mind you.

Golshifteh Farahani is unforgettable as Nour

For the story of Hood Witch to work, the title character must come across as believable and (preferably) likable. At the very least, relatable. In the capable embodiment of Golshifteh Farahani, Nour is a character who manages all three.

In a movie that ends up being a cautionary tale about social media pitfalls paired with religious extremism and an unregulated black market, you need an actor who can carry these heavy themes and still be “just” a human being trying to get by. She does all that and more.

In short, Golshifteh Farahani is breathtaking as Nour. When you watch Hood Witch, you’ll probably find her face recognizable even if her name doesn’t ring a bell. Yet!

You may have seen Golshifteh Farahani in the Apple TV+ series Invasion, the Netflix movies Extraction 1 and 2, or the brilliant French zombie movie The Night Eat the World. Also, she was in the amazing psychological thriller About Elly and the 2019 dramedy Arab Blues. She does it all.

Watch Hood Witch on VOD or in select theaters now

The director of Hood Witch is Saïd Belktibia. He also wrote the screenplay with Louis Penicaut. In fact, the filmmaker dedicated the movie to his mother and it hits close to home in certain ways. Saïd Belktibia was raised by his single mother who practiced witchcraft in her apartment just like Nour.

This French movie (org. title: Roqya) originally premiered at MOTELX, the Lisbon International Horror Film Festival in Portugal in September of 2023. From there, it went on to screen at the iconic Spanish genre film festival Sitges and then SXSW in March of 2024.

Having screened at these amazing genre film festivals since the Fall of 2023, you can now finally watch it as well. And you definitely should! Sure, it will make you uncomfortable and it gets insanely scary, but you cannot look away. Even if you want to, you shouldn’t.

Hood Witch is in select theaters and on digital from March 21, 2025.

Details

Director: Saïd Belktibia
Writers: Saïd Belktibia, Louis Penicaut
Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Amine Zariouhi, Denis Lavant, Alexis Manenti, Karim Belkhadra, Issaka Sawadogo

Plot

Nour makes a living from smuggling exotic animals and illicit products. Wishing to get her son out of the city and offer him a better future, she designs and develops a mobile app that connects clients and spiritual healers. It’s a success – until a patient’s consultation turns into a tragedy.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE is a supernatural horror movie with a very real horror story at the heart of it. It may start out as a story about a haunted house, but it becomes so much more – and darker. Read our full I Will Never Leave You Alone movie review here!

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE is coming out on VOD and this supernatural horror movie is extremely dark and very scary. The tagline of the movie is “A Haunted Man Trapped in a Haunted House” and it could just as well have been the plot.

In fact, the less you know about this particular horror movie, the better. Or at least you shouldn’t know too much about the story. What style of horror and who is in it, is fine to read up on. Other than that, you should simply experience this horror movie.

Continue reading our I Will Never Leave You Alone horror movie below. Find it on VOD from October 18, 2024.

The chance to begin again

In I Will Never Leave You Alone, we meet the mute Richard (Kenneth Trujillo) as he is getting ready to embark on life yet again. He has been in prison for involuntary manslaughter and is now on parole from prison.

The first step for him is to be released into mandatory custody of a superstitious real estate investor. One who is ready to pay him a hefty sum to stay alone in a haunted house for six days. The point is to complete a ritual that will rid it of evil spirits.

Once this is done, she can sell the house by advertising that it is now “clean”. And the house does have quite a rumor, so this cleansing is the only way she can expect (or hope) to sell the listing.

While an amazing opportunity for Richard, the catch is also very definitive. Should he fail to complete his stay of six nights, the investor will send him back to prison. This doesn’t phase Richard as he is not afraid of ghosts and feels he needs to be punished further in any case.

Be afraid. Be very afraid!

Of course, one could argue that ghosts don’t care if you believe in them. Especially if they’re powerful and this house has been sitting empty for a long time for a reason. Once Richard is left alone (locked inside the house), he starts to prepare for the night.

He finds a creepy, old doll and unleashes an evil spirit. One that belongs to a witch murdered on the property centuries ago. This witch haunts him and tortures him by using the painful (and very real) memories that led him to prison.

Hearing the story of how the witch was murdered is its own horror story, so you’ll have to experience that for yourself. Of course, no matter what Richard is faced with, he cannot scream and his grip on reality seems to be disappearing fast.

Watch I Will Never Leave You Alone on VOD now!

The story of a haunted man trapped in a haunted house comes from writer-director DW Medoff, and it’s a very dark ride into the horrors of the main character’s own life. I mean, the witch and haunting part is creepy, but Richard’s own life is a much darker kind of horror.

Writer & Director DW Medoff previously wrote and directed the 2023 horror movie Pollen which was his feature film debut. Kenneth Trujillo (The Girl from Plainville) is amazing in the lead role as Richard.

So is Katerina Eichenberger (She Wants My Baby) as his wife, Emma, and Christopher Genovese (Baby Bird) as the handyman working on the property outside the house. Also part of the cast are Emma Wedemeyer (First Kill, Haunted Mansion), Kimberly Maxwell (Raising Dion), and Pierce Lackey (Stranger Things).

The runtime is 95 minutes and you will definitely be terrified in several different ways before it’s over. It’s not for the weak of heart as it covers subjects as dark as depression as well as the horror of hauntings. A strong and unforgettable (even what you’d rather forget) horror movie.

I Will Never Leave You Alone is on VOD/Digital Platforms on October 18, 2024.

Details

Director: DW Medoff
Writer: DW Medoff
Stars: Kenneth Trujillo, Katerina Eichenberger, Christopher Genovese, Emma Wedemeyer, Kimberly Maxwell, Pierce Lackey, Katy Wilson, Alex Parkinson

Plot

After being released from prison, a brooding man with a dark past is forced to stay in a haunted house to clear it of spirits. If he leaves, he goes back to prison, but the witch-ghost may be more punishment than he can withstand.

HOUSE OF SPOILS on Prime Video is a genre-bending thriller with elements of horror and fantasy. A real mindf**k with Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose starring. Read our full House of Spoils movie review here!

HOUSE OF SPOILS is a new Prime Video horror thriller out in time for Halloween 2024. For years, Blumhouse and Prime Video have paired up for Spooky Season with “Welcome to the Blumhouse”. This year is no exception.

PREVIOUS BLUMHOUSE & PRIME VIDEO RELEASES

Be sure to check out Totally Killer from 2023 >

I can imagine this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. For one, I loved it while my proverbial partner-in-horror-loving-crime [the editor of Heaven of Horror] was more on the fence about it. The runtime is 1 hour and 41 minutes.

Continue reading our House of Spoils movie review below. Find it on Prime Video from October 3, 2024.

“Bring your appetite”

The tagline for House of Spoils is “Bring your appetite” and when the movie opens, this makes sense. However, this changes as soon as we get to the title “character”.

As revealed in the trailer (and the title of this movie), everything seems to spoil in the place, where our lead character is about to open her own restaurant. As a very ambitious chef (known only as “Chef”) this is a nightmare.

Instead of preparing to open her own farm-to-table restaurant in a cure house on a remote estate, it’s all falling about.

Everything is getting to her. From the typical kitchen chaos (like any episode of The Bear) to a dubious investor and even crushing self-doubts. And then there’s the matter of the history of this place, which may involve a witch.

Very fitting for a horror story released in the month of Halloween. Not ideal for a fine dining restaurant that people must travel to get to.

Ariana DeBose is The Chef

I, admittedly, adore Ariana DeBose, who won an Academy Award (among many other awards) for her role in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of West Side Story. However, I had no idea how much I would enjoy seeing her in this one.

House of Spoils is a true mindf**k for both viewers and the main character of “Chef” portrayed by Ariana DeBose. You may also have seen Ariana DeBose in genre movies such as the 2023 sci-fi thriller I.S.S.

To me, she delivers a very believable take on a chef who has worked in a kitchen for years and is ready to be in charge. She’s used to working in male-dominated kitchens and has taken on that tough exterior to make it.

Also delivering a strong performance is Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria, Nope) as a young chef, who wants to impress, but not at any cost. In other key roles, we see Arian Moayed (Succession), Marton Csokas (Cuckoo), and Amara Karan (T.1.M.).

Watch House of Spoils on Prime Video!

House of Spoils is the second feature film from Writers and Directors Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy. They previously co-directed Blow the Man Down.

House of Spoils is a tense thriller with dark fantasy elements that lend it a distinct horror air. The psychological and sensuous elements that drive the story worked for me.

However, I must acknowledge that since my co-viewer and I didn’t agree on it, it may divide viewers. I loved how the chef’s relationship with nature and other people played in, while this didn’t do much for my editor.

To make the food work so well, food stylist Zoe Hegedus was brought in. Her previous credits include Midsommar and Poor Things. She specializes in creating food for movies as well as immersive eating experiences, and it worked for me!

This foodie genre movie had its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 21, 2024, and now a few weeks later, we can all watch it on Prime Video.

HOUSE OF SPOILS is out globally on Prime Video on October 3, 2024. 

Details

Writers / Directors: Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy
Cast: Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed, Amara Karan, Mikkel Bratt Silset, Marton Csokas

Plot

From Blumhouse, House of Spoils follows an ambitious chef (Ariana DeBose) as she opens a restaurant on a remote estate where she battles kitchen chaos, crushing self-doubts… and a haunting presence who threatens to sabotage her at every turn

TAROT is a horror movie with a PG-13 rating, so expect jump scares but nothing too bloody. Practical effects are at the foreground but the story remains superficial. Based on the book “Horrorscope”. Read our Tarot movie review here!

TAROT is a new horror movie out on PVOD a few weeks after its theatrical release (May 3, 2024). As with any PG-13 horror movie, the violence and steamier scenes have been left out. That’s never a problem for me as long as the story and character work.

While this horror movie is a solid 90 minutes or so of entertainment, it never really got under my skin. It’s the kind of horror movie I can watch one night and be fine with, but I wouldn’t consider rewatching it. Still, I can’t shame it much because it isn’t bad. It just isn’t really good either.

Continue reading our Tarot horror movie review below. Find it on digital from May 28, 2024.

Horror + Horoscope = Horrorscope

This 2024 horror movie is based on the novel “Horrorscope” which was also the original title of Tarot. I have to admit, I found this title to be better. Both because it’s more horror-inspired than naming an object. Though, obviously, this title follows the path of the hit horror franchise Ouija.

Anyway, in Tarot we meet a group of friends who are reckless with some of the rules of Tarot readings. They use the cards to read each other’s horoscope, which I didn’t even know was a thing. Unfortunately, this particular set of Tarot cards is cursed, so they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil.

Now they will come to face with the fate the cards predicted. For our group of friends, all their reading can be interpreted as somehow meaning death. And that’s what we see happening. One by one, their reading comes true and is a path to their death.

A great cast, but superficial characters

I must admit that I had no real expectations of Tarot, so – for me – it was a pleasant surprise to see a lot of practical effects. Creatures from the Tarot cards come to collect each victim and with one glaring exception, the effects are largely practical with intricate and impressive masks and make-up.

Also, I really enjoyed the actors that were cast in Tarot. There’s a real problem with just killing them off one by one and having them exist somehow in a vacuum solely within this group of friends. Even as they start dying, we never really see them talking to their family or interacting with anyone else.

This makes for a very superficial story that has characters eerily close to being paper cut-outs. The actors portray their respective characters with integrity and often a tongue-in-cheek approach to being in a horror movie.

It’s just that whenever we get close to seeing what lies beneath the face value of a character, the person is killed. Still, I have to give credit to the cast. It mostly consists of actors you’ve seen before and will surely see again.

From Harriet Slater (Pennyworth), Adain Bradley (Wrong Turn: The Foundation), and Avantika (Mean Girls) to Jacob Batalon (Ned from MCU‘s Spider-Man), Wolfgang Novogratz (Assassination Nation), Larsen Thompson (The Midnight Club), and Humberly González (Utopia Falls).

Olwen Fouéré adds depth

There is one person apart from the group of young adult friends. Someone who knows about these cards and can possibly help them.

She’s portrayed by the brilliant Olwen Fouéré, who is just killing it (not a spoiler) in genre productions these years. From Texas Chainsaw Massacre to Cult Killer and soon The Watchers. Between her, Lin Shaye, and Betty Buckley, we have The Golden Girls of Horror and I am loving it.

Someone really should make a movie with all three so now I’m trying to speak this into existence. Add Jill Larson (The Taking of Deborah Logan) or Deanna Dunagan (The Visit) and we’re truly golden!

Watch Tarot on PVOD now!

As mentioned above, Tarot was previously called Horrorscope after the book it’s based on, which Nicholas Adams wrote. The writers and directors are Spenser Cohen & Anna Halberg. Yes, they are both co-writers and co-directors which is something we see quite a lot with horror movies these days.

One of the best (and most successful) examples was Talk to Me (2023).

While Tarot is nowhere near the level of Talk to Me in terms of brutal and crushingly terrifying horror, it does manage to entertain. However, I can’t ignore that while Talk to Me is on all my top lists and could be a permanent fixture for Halloween or any Friday the 13th, Tarot won’t be.

It’s too much of a “paint-by-numbers”-experience. We’re watching this group of friends succumbing to their fates before the ending comes along. Not only are we desensitized to the many deaths – due to never really knowing the characters – but the actual Tarot ending is also desperately lackluster.

In fact, the ending of Tarot is probably just too pretty and neat for me. It’s the proverbial final nail in the coffin in terms of being a “once was enough”-kind of movie. A shame as it could have been more.

Tarot premiered in theaters on May 3 and is out on Streaming (PVOD) from May 28, 2024.

Details

In Theaters: May 3, 2024
On Streaming: May 28, 2024 (PVOD)
Directors: Spenser Cohen & Anna Halberg
Writers: Spenser Cohen & Anna Halberg
Cast: Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Jacob Batalon, Avantika, Humberly González, Wolfgang Novogratz, Larsen Thompson, Olwen Fouéré

Plot

When a group of friends recklessly violates the sacred rule of Tarot readings they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death.

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES on Netflix is a new series that takes place in THE SANDMAN universe. A supernatural genre hybrid with lots of humor and horror. Season 1 has eight episodes. Read our Dead Boy Detectives series review here!

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES is a new Netflix series with a supernatural plot and a genre hybrid approach. It’s action, adventure, horror, comedy, and a whole lot of mystery. Also, it takes place in the same universe as The Sandman. A character from that series appears from the very first episode.

The genre hybrid series about two ghosts running a detective agency has eight episodes. If you like the style of The Sandman and other graphic novel-based live-action series, you should definitely give this one a chance. Charming, funny, and decidedly dark with quirky and intriguing characters.

Continue reading our Dead Boy Detectives series review below. On Netflix from April 25, 2024.

Ghosts helping ghosts

In Dead Boy Detectives, we meet Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri). They are “the brains” and “the brawn” of the Dead Boy Detectives agency. So, if you’re a ghost and have issues with another ghost or a demon, who stole your core memories, they’re your guys.

Sure, Edwin and Charles are mere teenagers and they’re (clearly!) born decades apart. Still, they have a gift and want to use it. Having found each other in death, the two are now best friends and colleagues. They solve mysteries that exist somewhere between life and death. Just like them!

Also, they really should have moved on, so Death (the character from The Sandman series) is looking for them. You really aren’t supposed to stick around as a ghost for as long as these two have.

Very entertaining supporting characters

Each episode of Dead Boy Detectives focuses on a separate case, while the series also has a core mystery and plot to deal with. Not unlike any good anthology that has separate short stories as well as a solid wrap-around story. Actually, sometimes the wrap-around story can be the best thing.

For Dead Boy Detectives, the two main characters are good, but the supporting characters are often more entertaining. This especially goes for the evil witch, Esther, portrayed perfectly by Jenn Lyon. I loved every moment with this character and almost wished for her to get a spin-off.

Also, the two dead boys are helped by two girls. Two living girls. One is a clairvoyant named Crystal Palace (Kassius Nelson) and the other is Niko (Yuyu Kitamura). The latter needs help herself and is later able to see ghosts, so now the dead boys have two living girls who can help them.

The series also stars Briana Cuoco, Lukas Gage, David Iacono, and Ruth Connell. Every single one of them has a cool character!

Watch season 1 of Dead Boy Detectives on Netflix!

As already mentioned a few times, Dead Boy Detectives is a part of The Sandman Universe for Netflix. The series is based on the beloved comic series by Neil Gaiman and was developed for television by Steve Yockey (The Flight Attendant).

Beth Schwartz (Sweet Tooth) and Steve Jockey are also co-showrunners on the series which is executively produced by Greg Berlanti (You), Jeremy Carver (Supernatural), and Sarah Schechter (The Flight Attendant).

While it’s fun and cute, do not be fooled into thinking it isn’t also horror. The are some truly dark moments in this story. Like the fact that one of the dead boys spent decades in Hell already. Obviously, this detail makes for some darker moments during flashbacks.

Overall, this Netflix series is a wonderful supernatural genre hybrid that has humor, heart, and horror. It’s also silly in ways that may not be for everyone, so give it a shot and see if it’s your kind of thing. I enjoyed it and could do with a season 2, but I want The Sandman season 2 much more!

Dead Boy Detectives is on Netflix from April 25, 2024.

Details

Showrunners: Steve Yockey & Beth Schwartz
Directors: Glen Winter, Andi Armaganian, Pete Chatmon, Lee Toland Krieger, Richard Speight Jr., Amanda Tapping
Cast: George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson, Jenn Lyon, Briana Cuoco, Ruth Connell, Yuyu Kitamura, Lukas Gage, David Iacono

Plot

Two teen ghosts work alongside a clairvoyant to solve mysteries for their supernatural clientele — until a powerful witch complicates their plans.

ROMANCERO on Prime Video is a new Spanish supernatural horror mini-series. It features demons, witches, and blood drinkers. All interesting enough, but the narrative style makes it too confusing. Read our full Romancero season 1 review here!

ROMANCERO is a new Prime Video mini-series from Spain. When you begin watching the first episode, you may get the feeling that something is wrong. As in “Is this really episode 1?” because it begins in the middle of the story.

Don’t worry, you’re on the right track, but the story is told in a very “broken” way. The episodes are only 30 minutes and there are six episodes in the season. However, each episode tends to start in a different (non-linear) place and often introduces new characters. Not ideal in my book, but that’s all about preference, I suppose.

Continue reading our full Romancero season 1 review below. It’s on Prime Video now.

There’s a good story here

I’m mentioning it several times because it really does matter; The story is interesting enough, but the narrative style makes it too confusing. It’s a damn shame because there is truly a good story in Romancero.

We follow several characters, but at the heart of the story is Cornelia (Elena Matic). She’s a girl who’s been robbed of her childhood. Her strange life takes a turn when she meets the teenager Jordán (Sasha Cócola), and he does whatever he can to help her.

In many ways, it reminded me of Let the Right One In because of their relationship. She’s covered in blood when we first meet the two, and he knows what she’s capable of. Still, Jordán feels safe with Cornelia and wants to protect her. Just as she has already protected him – this is hinted at in episode 1 and explained further later.

The two very young individuals are running from both the police and an entire village, it seems. Also, there are those supernatural elements to Romancero that I won’t do spoilers for.

Social commentary in a supernatural setting

The new Spanish supernatural horror mini-series has lots of different creatures and manages to touch on dark real-life subjects. As such, it’s both a social commentary and a supernatural adventure with demons, witches, and blood drinkers.

While not supernatural, a recent Netflix release was set in an alternative universe of a post-apocalyptic kind. The Spanish Netflix movie Nowhere also featured social commentary and was a survival story. Do check it out if that’s your thing.

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Check out our review of the Nowhere movie on Netflix here >

My main issue with Romancero really is the narrative style. It’s like we’re getting a few puzzle pieces, but without knowing the full image. Also, with each new episode, we tend to get pieces from a new corner of the puzzle. Honestly, I enjoy this sometimes, but in the case of Romancero, it’s just lacking something.

Watch Romancero on Prime Video now!

The creators of Romancero are Fernando Navarro and Tomás Peña with Tomás Peña also directing the mini-series. The cast is very intriguing and includes Sasha Cocola, Elena Matic, Ricardo Gómez, Alba Flores, Belén Cuesta, Txunamy Ortiz, Guillermo Toledo, Julieta Cardinali, and Malcolm Treviño-Sitté.

Also, the female star of the Spanish film festival hit The Coffee Table (org. title: La mesita del comedor) is in Romancero. Almost on the down-low, it would appear as if she’s not mentioned anywhere really. However, she’s a bartender in episode 2 and has both a face and voice you recognize, if you’ve watched The Coffee Table.

This new Prime Video series was released without much fanfare. In fact, we didn’t even come across it on any upcoming release lists. We completely missed it until it was mentioned in passing in a newsletter after it was already out. It seems not many have noticed it, which is a shame.

Even though I wasn’t personally a fan of its narrative choices, it has important messages and a deep dark undercurrent that intrigues me. Give it a shot if you’re intrigued and get ready to be kept in the dark for quite some time. Most likely longer than you’ll like. That was certainly the case for me.

Romancero was quietly released globally on Prime Video on November 3, 2023.

Details

Creators: Fernando Navarro, Tomás Peña
Director: Tomás Peña
Stars: Sasha Cocola, Elena Matic, Ricardo Gómez, Alba Flores, Belén Cuesta, Txunamy Ortiz, Guillermo Toledo, Julieta Cardinali, Malcolm Treviño-Sitté

Plot

Jordán and Cornelia are two young kids who, in the dead of night, are trying to escape the angry mob accusing them of murder. Fearing for their lives, they flee from the law, from the supernatural and even from themselves.

HUESERA: THE BONE WOMAN is a new horror-drama from Mexico. A movie about becoming a mother and not feeling at home in this new role. Nightmares and strange visions plague Valeria and she seeks help. A chillingly realistic story. Read our full Huesera movie review here!

HUESERA: THE BONE WOMAN is a Mexican horror drama about motherhood. Or rather, it’s about finding your way again once your life has changed drastically. In that sense, it’s eerily similar to Baby Ruby which I did find worked better in many ways. However, the stories are also very different in many ways, so a direct comparison isn’t exactly fair.

DO CHECK OUT

Our review of Baby Ruby which works extremely well >

With a runtime of 93 minutes, this never drags on for too long or takes too many wild turns. Instead, it focuses on how sometimes, the things we dream of, aren’t what we truly want or need. That might sound very fluffy, but the “subtitle” of The Bone Woman does become a quite physical manifestation of this issue. And those chilling visions will haunt you!

Continue reading our Huesera movie review below. The film premieres theatrically on February 10, and on VOD on February 16, 2023.

A very real and present kind of terror

There are scenes in Huesera that stays with you. And not just the imagery, but the feeling it awakes in you. The sound of a baby crying or a new young mother, who feels like everything she does is wrong. And also feels like she might be going crazy.

Not sleeping – and having nightmares when you do or terrible visions when you don’t – is enough to drive anyone over the proverbial edge.

Yes, Huesera: The Bone Woman is a very uncomfortable movie to watch at times. During these moments, the horror is obvious. Whether it’s a classic horror moment or more of a psychological horror moment that some would label drama. And isn’t everything drama, when you get to the bottom of it anyway.

For me, the worst moments are when the baby is involved. Don’t worry, I’ll give the “Does the dog die?!” answer right now; The baby does not die. This is not that kind of movie. But clearly, Valeria is scared that she might hurt her baby because she feels so out of control in her own life.

Nightmares and strange visions

As the viewer of Huesera: The Bone Woman, you might find yourself thinking “This is clearly just a nightmare!”. However, our main character Valeria doesn’t know this. And sometimes, she has visions while she’s wide awake. Moments like these – when she witnesses terrible things that may or may not be real – obviously makes her doubt her sanity.

These moments worked really well for me. Most people can relate to not being believed when they feel they’re simply telling someone their truth.

And then there’s that sweet little baby, Valeria has given birth to. She clearly loves her baby, but also wants to desperately run away from the life she suddenly finds herself trapped in. A life where she is no longer the most important person – not to anyone around her – and where her every action is watched, questioned, and criticized.

Natalia Solián (Netflix mini-series Somos.) does an amazing job of portraying Valeria. This movie would not have worked if she hadn’t managed to breathe life into this character in such an organic and realistic way. Also absolutely brilliant is Mercedes Hernández as her aunt Isabel. The only person who stands by Valeria in an unwavering and unconditional way.

Watch Huesera: The Bone Woman in theaters & on VOD – later on Shudder

Michelle Garza Cervera is the director of Huesera: The Bone Woman and she also wrote the screenplay with Abia Castillo. This is the first feature film from Michelle Garza Cervera as both writer and director, but she has directed both short films and TV series in the past. Michelle Garza Cervera won awards for Huesera at both the Sitges, Torino, and Tribeca Film Festivals.

This is the first credit on the IMDb resume of Abia Castillo, but both are working on a new movie in pre-production.

The entire cast works remarkably well and even when you get irritated or annoyed with characters, you can take a breath and see things from their point of view. We follow Valeria (Natalia Solián) so obviously, we have sympathy for her. However, when watching the movie, you can also sympathize with the father of the baby (Alfonso Dosal).

It takes skill, in terms of both writing and directing, to create a story with characters that are all relatable in some way. I am certain the ending of Huesera will divide people. But hey, isn’t that always the case when it doesn’t just have a happy ending where everything is explained and works out perfectly fine?!

From the direction to the eerie cinematography, where light and shadow are in constant battle, to the very creepy sound design that features sounds of bone cracking, Huesera is bound to be a movie you both watch and feel. This is probably also why the movie won the Audience Award at Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico.

Huesera: The Bone Woman premieres in theaters on February 10 and on VOD on February 16, 2023. On May 12, 2023, the movie will also be available on Shudder.

Details

Director: Michelle Garza Cervera
Writers: Michelle Garza Cervera, Abia Castillo
Stars: Natalia Solián, Alfonso Dosal, Mayra Batalla, Mercedes Hernández, Aída López, Martha Claudia Moreno

Plot

Valeria’s joy at becoming pregnant with her first child is quickly taken away when she’s cursed by a sinister spirit. As danger closes in and relationships with her family become fractured, she’s forced deeper into a chilling world of dark magic that threatens to consume her. A group of witches emerge that could be her only hope for safety and salvation, but not without grave risk.