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

HELL HOUSE LLC: LINEAGE on Shudder is the latest in the HELL HOUSE LLC franchise and the first one that isn’t found footage. I don’t mind that fact, if the story or vibe was good, but it just isn’t. Read our full Hell House LLC: Lineage movie review here!

HELL HOUSE LLC: LINEAGE is a new Shudder horror movie. If the title seems familiar, it’s because there are a lot of movies that begin with Hell House LLC due to it being a franchise. I would say that it’s a found footage horror movie franchise, because it has been so far.

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Our review of the previous Hell House LLC installation on Shudder >

However, that stops with this one, which is shot like a straight-up horror movie, but in the same universe and even with repeat characters. Just like I don’t mind remakes by default, I can’t blame a filmmaker for wanting to try something new within the franchise they’ve created. It just doesn’t do much good here.

Continue reading our Hell House LLC: Lineage movie review below. Find it on Shudder from October 30, 2025.

Discover the origin of Hell House LLC

The tagline of Hell House LLC: Lineage is “A blood bond rooted in evil, ” which (along with the full title) gives us an idea of how some familial bond will come into play in this story. Before we get to this, we follow Vanessa Shepherd (Elizabeth Vermilyea), who is struggling after a near-death experience years earlier.

Vanessa is haunted by visions and tormented by recurring nightmares, but still finds herself living in the town of Abaddon, which has a strange hold on her.

KEEP UP WITH HELL HOUSE LLC

The second movie in this franchise was titled Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel. The character of Vanessa was in the third movie titled Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire.

In any case, we’re following Vanessa’s struggles, which are about to get a whole lot worse. Soon, people around her begin to die. As she tries to discover how it’s all connected to her, she must confront the terrifying truth.

Especially her own connection to the Abaddon Hotel, the Carmichael Manor, and the decade-long mysterious murders. Sure, this all sounds intriguing enough, and the story isn’t bad as such. The execution, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired, and it gets in the way of the story.

If there’s one thing you can get away with in a found footage movie, it’s lingering shots. After all, the concept of found footage is that something has been recorded, and that’s what we get to see. Slow and strange as it may be.

Once you lose the found footage element, you ought to also tighten up on those lingering shots.

Does Hell House LLC work without found footage?

With Hell House LLC: Lineage shaking it up and making the shift from found footage to classic horror movie, it begs the question: Does the found footage horror movie franchise still work without the found footage element?

Well, first, I have to say that I have absolutely no problem with this change in style. As a rule, I mean. Just like I’m okay with remakes, sequels, and requels. My only demand is that it should only be done if the story can handle it.

So, is Hell House LLC: Lineage as good as the previous movies in the franchise?!

Well, that’s a loaded question, as they have differed quite a bit in quality already. And as someone who liked the first one from 2016 for what it managed on a minimal budget, I don’t think this latest Lineage installation lives up to that.

Watch Hell House LLC: Lineage on Shudder

Stephen Cognetti is the writer and director of Hell House LLC: Lineage, just as he has been the director of the previous four movies in the franchise. Just before this latest, and non-found footage installation, he also directed the Shudder horror movie 825 Forest Road (2025), which you’ll want to check out as well.

For me, this is the weakest of the franchise, but mostly because I felt it had lost some of the nerve it otherwise excelled at. Sure, those creepy clowns are still creepy, but seeing them in this different light didn’t do much good for me.

Also, the ending of Hell House LLC: Lineage felt like a let-down. I won’t go into the how and why of it (to avoid spoilers), but it just didn’t reach the creepiness of previous movies. Much of it also felt strangely choppy, and it suffered from the earlier-mentioned “lingering shots syndrome“.

Hell House LLC: Lineage is on Shudder from October 30, 2025.

Details

Director/Writer: Stephen Cognetti
Cast: Elizabeth Vermilyea, Searra Sawka, Mike Sutton, Joe Bandelli, Cayla Berejikian, Victoria Andrunik, Gideon Berger

GLAMPING on Tubi is a new horror thriller with a slasher story. Well, in theory, anyway. It takes a long time to get to this point, which means that for much of its runtime, it’s more of a drama. A shame, as the core premise is intriguing enough. Read our full Glamping horror movie review here!

GLAMPING is a new Tubi horror thriller, which I admittedly expected a lot more from. With Tubi, it can be hits or misses, so you never really know. However, we have been treated to some pretty amazing horror movies in recent times, and the premise for this one sounded strong.

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON…

The 2025 Tubi horror movie Match which was excellent >

Unfortunately, the title (or plot) of this horror thriller doesn’t truly come into play until the third and final act. That means you need to sit through an hour (plus commercials) before the horror element truly kicks in. Far too long for any horror movie to show its genre – so to speak.

Continue reading our Glamping horror movie review below. Find it on Tubi from October 24, 2025.

No Glamping, No Horror

This new Tubi horror movie may be titled Glamping, but I’m here to tell you it doesn’t feature much glamping or horror. I mean, even the official plot on the Tubi streaming platform speaks of a “dream cabin getaway”.

Now, you can accuse me of mincing words, but by definition, “Glamping” is a word made up of the words “Glamorous” and “Camping”. As in a luxury camping trip. Well, this Tubi movie, once it actually gets to this part, is about four friends who go to a cabin in the woods.

Not on a glamping trip or experience of any kind.

Admittedly, the title of Cabin in the Woods isn’t as fun or fresh as Glamping, but it would be more accurate. So would focusing on the influencer element, which is what actually makes up most of the runtime in this horror thriller.

Solid premise, terrible execution

Yeah, I’m sorry, but as intriguing as the premise of this Glamping horror movie sounds, it just does not deliver. The story may be strong, in essence, but the screenplay (or possibly the execution of the storytelling) is lacking in so many ways.

I absolutely love the idea of using influencers and our need to share everything online at the center of a horror movie. Sure, it is no longer the most innovative approach, but it still works.

Or rather, it should work.

Also, it’s cool that Glamping stars someone who won a competition. She isn’t my new favorite scream queen or anything, but she does her best with what she’s given. The star of Glamping is Rosemary Idisi, and she won the “Stubios Greenlight Contest“.

No, that’s not a typo, it’s a Tubi contest, so it’s called “Stubios”.

Hopefully, we’ll see Rosemary Idisi in another role that will do her more justice – or prove whether this is all there is expect. Again, overall, the actors are fine in this Tubi horror movie, but the story doesn’t help them deliver anything out of the ordinary.

Watch Glamping on Tubi now

Niki Koss is the director of Glamping, and this isn’t the first genre movie from the filmmaker. Personally, I know Niki Koss more as an actor. Not least, as she was in one of my favorite horror comedies: Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015).

The screenplay comes from Alexa Gartster, and this is only the second writing credit for the writer. First was Coyote Creek Christmas, a Hallmark Christmas movie. Before you think this is a bad sign. The same was the case for the filmmakers of Anything for Jackson.

Unfortunately, there are several issues with this Tubi horror movie, which begin with the title and poster teasing a movie much more kitsch and slasher-like than what it delivers. Ultimately, however, the biggest issue for me was that the horror slasher element takes forever to kick in.

A shame that this couldn’t deliver on what the premise promised, but I’m sure it will still entertain plenty of viewers who give it a shot on Tubi. I’m just not one of them.

Glamping is out on Tubi on October 24, 2025.

Details

Director: Niki Koss
Script: Alexa Gartster
Cast: Rosemary Idisi, Joseph Purcell, Geffen Aviva, Chris Angelis, Angelique Chapman, Annie Grant, David Hernandez

VICIOUS on Paramount+ is a new horror movie from The Strangers filmmaker, Bryan Bertino. It stars Dakota Fanning and a curse that demands immediate sacrifices. Sadly, this was way too long and not very innovative. Read our full Vicious horror movie review here!

VICIOUS is a new Paramount+ horror movie. Originally planned for a theatrical release, a few premiere changes finally resulted in a direct-to-streaming release on Paramount+. This isn’t always a bad sign, but with this particular movie, I can understand the decision.

It did begin very well, which is especially thanks to the amazing Kathryn Hunter (I’ll get back to her later). The actual plot, however, feels like something you’ve watched several times before in movies like Tarot or Oddity. Also, the 98-minute runtime is way too long.

Continue reading our Vicious horror movie review below. Find it on Paramount+ or on Digital now.

A vicious curse with three demands

As already stated, Vicious is actually off to a very good start. This is very much thanks to Kathryn Hunter, who shows up at the very beginning of the movie. We meet Polly (Dakota Fanning), who receives a late-night visitor: A little old lady, freezing and a little confused.

That “little old lady” (Kathryn Hunter) gives her a seemingly inconspicuous box. With this box comes instructions and an hourglass. The instructions are simple: You must place three things inside the box. Each one before the sand runs through the hourglass.

The “things” are essentially three demands: Something you hate, something you need, and something you love.

As soon as this challenge begins, so does a waking nightmare for Polly. She starts seeing things, hearing voices, and even feeling the touch of someone or something – despite being all alone in the house.

Also, not participating is not an option. Something Polly learns very early on. And cheating isn’t an option either. The box will know – or rather “we and I will know” as it’s stated.

The problem is, Polly may not know the answer either, and the price for getting it wrong is steep.

Kathryn Hunter for the win

I have always liked Dakota Fanning (The Watchers, The Perfect Couple), and she certainly gives it her all in Vicious. Unfortunately, her character isn’t very interesting or particularly fleshed out in this movie.

Everything happens over the course of just a few hours, so we don’t have much time to get to know her. Sure, we get clues about her inability to finish anything – from holding down a job to deciding on a career or education – but not much else.

Also, there are so many shots just lingering on Polly’s face, where nothing happens, and it gets tired, real fast. This is a horror movie with a curse plot, so things need to keep moving forward.

A good 20 minutes could (and should) have been cut from this movie.

What worked extremely well was the character played by Kathryn Hunter. Despite having seen her in lots of stuff before, seeing Kathryn Hunter in The Front Room just blew me away. Then came her role in the Netflix series Black Doves, and I am now a fan!

The character Kathryn Hunter plays in Vicious is very different from those other two, but the presence and power of Kathryn Hunter still hold up. I hope to see a lot more of her in the near future. She is just perfect for genre productions.

Watch Vicious on Paramount+ now

Bryan Bertino is the director of Vicious, and I am always intrigued when he’s the filmmaker. His feature film debut as a writer and director was the 2008 horror movie The Strangers. A movie I absolutely adore – and which terrified me!

Also, a movie that resulted in the 2018 sequel, The Strangers: Prey at Night, and a new trilogy which is currently being released these very years. Bryan Bertino himself has moved on and hasn’t directed any of the sequels.

Instead, he made the solid 2016 horror movie The Monster and the 2020 folk horror The Dark and the Wicked, and now comes Vicious. This most recent release is definitely the one I enjoyed the least. And yet, I have no doubt some elegant editing could’ve helped a lot.

The curse in the core plot isn’t exactly innovative, but it can work well for a horror movie. What doesn’t work are those long and lingering shots. Over and over and over again. Now, that certainly was vicious, but more for the audience than the main character.

Vicious is streaming on Paramount+ from October 10, 2025. You can also buy it on Digital.

Details

Director: Bryan Bertino
Writers: Melinda Whitaker, Shane Boucher
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, Devyn Nekoda, Klea Scott, Emily Mitchell

STAY on Hulu is a new supernatural thriller or horror-drama. It’s part of Hulu’s 2025 Huluween releases. Unfortunately, it’s just not very good. The story is forced and extremely predictable. Read our full Stay movie review here!

STAY is a new Hulu movie released as part of their 2025 Huluween programme. This feels much more like a thriller or a horror-drama than a movie that ought to be released as part of their Halloween focus.

The actors do what they can, and I absolutely relate to their grief and struggles. It’s just that the core storyline is full of red herrings served right alongside huge hints about what’s truly going on. Also, it did not need a runtime of nearly an hour and a half.

Continue reading our 2025 Stay movie review below. Find it on Hulu now.

Together… in a house

Stay begins as a story about Kiara (Megalyn Echikunwoke), who is packing up her home and getting ready to move out. She’s a PhD author of African spirituality.

In flashbacks, we see that she’s been in a happy relationship with Miles (Mo McRae), a former MMA fighter turned gym owner.

The present is a far cry from their beautiful love story and strong marriage. A marriage where he focused on his gym and was the breadwinner while she wrote her book, which would go on to be a hit. Something he expected, so she could then be his sugar mamma.

Basically, all was good, and they had a healthy relationship. Then something happened, which you will have to wait until the final act to find out. Before we get to the “big reveal”, hints clumsily and forcefully disguised as something else have been dropped several times.

Getting to the reveal of their downfall comes after they’ve been forced to stay together inside their house. The entire building has somehow locked down and refuses to let them out until they work out their issues.

Like Together, but in a house, and now they have to connect. Emotionally, not in the wild ways of Together.

A Huluween Original movie?

Again, I have to say that I have no idea why Hulu opted for making Stay (2025) part of their Halloween theme “Huluween” for 2025. If anything, it does the movie a huge disservice. It will attract horror fans, who can only (for the vast part) be disappointed.

Watching a movie is very much about anticipation and having your entertainment match your expectations. If I decide to watch a Huluween Original movie released as part of Hulu’s Halloween release schedule, then I expect horror… and probably something kitch.

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Check out some of the other Huluween releases from past years >

With Stay, it’s much more about relationship drama and struggles originating from trauma and grief. Something we’ve seen done extremely well with movies like The Man in My Basement or The Holy Boy (do check that out when it’s coming to Shudder in 2026).

How can people not be disappointed? I mean, had the movie been amazing, then maybe they would still enjoy it, but you’ve built some huge hurdles for viewers to get past before this is even possible.

Watch the 2025 Huluween movie Stay on Hulu now

Jas Summers is the writer and director of Stay, which has an interesting premise, but I just did not enjoy the execution of the story. Much more of a relationship drama than horror for Halloween, which is a damn shame.

Also, those red herrings and very forced plot twists did nothing good. Even the actual ending of Stay (2025) was so easy to predict because it is perhaps one of the biggest tropes.

Maybe I’m just bitter that this was released as a Huluween movie, but even without that label, this still isn’t good storytelling. I hate to be so negative, but here we are.

STAY premieres on Hulu on October 8, 2025.

Details

Director: Jas Summers
Writer: Jas Summers
Stars: Megalyn Echikunwoke, Mo McRae, Brandon Firla

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

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

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

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

Three thieves and Greek mythology

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

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

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

Pursuasive women from the sea

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

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

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

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

Watch The Drowned on Digital now

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

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

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

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

Details

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

MEAT KILLS is a new Dutch horror slasher (org. title: Vleesdag) that doesn’t quite deliver what I was hoping for. Screening at Fantastic Fest 2025, where I suspect audiences will still have fun with it. Read our full Meat Kills movie review here!

MEAT KILLS (org. title: Vleesdag) is getting its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025. I can’t imagine the film festival audience won’t have a blast watching this. However, it does objectively leave a lot to be desired. Too much, really.

All the characters are ultimately unlikable, and while the practical effects are good, they are also a tad too sloppy for me. The same goes for the story that has way too many holes. Yes, I am admittedly quite disappointed in this one.

Continue reading our Meat Kills movie review below.

Joining the Animal Army

The plot of Meat Kills sounds intriguing enough for an animal lover such as myself. Well, to a point, as I have no desire to become a radical activist. I still believe in love and dialogue over hate and violence.

Though I understand those who have lost faith in it. These are indeed trying times.

Mirthe (Caro Darkx) is a person who has lost faith in dialogue and wants to take action. That’s why she secured a job at a local pig farm as a way to earn her way into the radical activists known as “Animal Army”.

While working at the pig farm, Mirthe documents the abhorrent conditions the animals are living (and dying) in. This becomes her ticket for acceptance, but also the highway to criminal and very violent actions.

Soon, events spiral out of control, and instead of avenging the pigs, it becomes a battle for survival. For everyone, really!

Plenty of potential in the plot

While I was ultimately disappointed in Meat Kills, much of it has to do with the obvious potential of the movie. I mean, it’s a horror slasher that plays out at a local pig farm, which is somehow also a slaughterhouse.

Now, I don’t mean to nitpick (and yet, I absolutely will), but everything about the location just feels off. It’s both a farmhouse for a family, pigs are being bred and raised, and it’s a fairly big slaughtering facility?!

DON’T WORRY, IT COULD BE WORSE

This movie with pigs, slaughtering, and murders got just 1 out of 5 >

It’s just too much for one small family-owned location. Also, I recognize that much of this is for the purpose of the story, but it still needs to make sense. And having a filthy slaughterhouse where everything is somehow “on” even when it’s not being actively used is just stupid.

Then again, if this were my main issue with the movie, I could get past it. What I cannot get past is that everyone is ultimately unlikable and idiotic in their behaviour.

From the whole “running up the stairs when you should be running out the front door”-trope highlighted by Sidney Prescott in Scream almost three decades ago, to “twists” that are as predictable as they are stupid.

Meat Kills is getting its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest

Meat Kills (org. title: Vleesdag) comes from director Martijn Smits and screenwriter Johan Paul de Vrijer. I wish I had liked this more than I did. I knew I wouldn’t enjoy it due to the plot, but that’s sort of the point.

Also, I recognize that I probably wasn’t supposed to root for any of the people in this movie, but that just does not work for me. If I don’t care for or about them, then I don’t care whether they live or die, and what is left to keep me going?

Whatever happens at this one farm, it doesn’t change anything. And again, I recognize that this is the point, but it sure isn’t one that the filmmaker is busy making. It’s all about wild kills and crazy practical effects.

Well, I need more!

The actors in this cast all delivered what the script required. Their characters just weren’t nuanced (or not in believable ways), which they can’t change.

Meat Kills is getting its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 in Austin, Texas. While Austin is more of a liberal big city, Texas is definitely farming country as well, so it seems only appropriate that it premieres there.

Meat Kills will also be playing at Sitges International Film Festival, which is arguably one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Spain is another place famous for amazing pork products, so again, an interesting location.

Details

Director: Martijn Smits
Writer: Paul de Vrijer
Stars: Caro Derkx, Derron Lurvink, Sem Ben Yakar, Emma Josten, Bart Oomen, Chardonnay Rillen, Tommy Zonneveld, Sweder de Sitter, Juliëtte van de Weerdt

RABBIT TRAP is a new psychological horror movie with a tiny cast and few locations. The story, however, is both small and vast in the sense that much lies beneath the surface of what we experience. Even too much, for my liking. Read our full Rabbit Trap movie review here!

RABBIT TRAP is a psychological horror movie that deals with folklore and the power of nature. That’s the headline version of the plot, anyway. The actual story of this movie is pretty complex. Even more than it should be.

I loved the small cast featuring three people portraying three wildly different, yet equally fascinating, characters. That’s why I can’t help but wish the plot had been more straightforward overall. Maybe that’s a lazy request, but still.

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

The power of sound – and nature

When Rabbit Trap opens, it’s with the introduction of married musicians Daphne (Rosy McEwen) and Darcy (Dev Patel). We’re in the 1970s, and they’ve recently moved to the Welsh countryside.

This was a bold move for the city people, who needed a fresh start if they were ever to finish their new record. While Daphne is working in a make-shift studio in their new (yet very old) house, Darcy is out and about.

He works with collecting audio samples from nature for their experimental and futuristic sound. However, their life is about to change in a wild way when Darcy inadvertently records a mysterious and profound sound in nature.

It’s a sound that has never been heard by human ears, and it appears to unlock something.

How do you fight back against the unknown?!

With the discovery of this strange sound, Daphne feels her creative energy is renewed. Unfortunately, this in turn seems to awaken something else in the nature around them.

One day, a stranger arrives. It’s a person they refer to as “he”, and the couple seems to see the person as a boy, but the actor is a woman (Jade Croot), which adds to the mysterious vibe of the character.

While Daphne and Darcy are initially ready to welcome this stranger, it takes a strange and even sinister turn. Suddenly, paranoia and jealousy become paramount feelings in this recently calm and beautiful home.

Watch Rabbit Trap in theaters

Rabbit Trap was written and directed by Bryn Chainey. The psychological horror movie enjoyed its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, which I can only imagine as the best possible match.

On paper, this story about the power of sound and nature, with added elements of folklore, is right up my alley. Even the blurring lines between reality and myth usually work for me.

Unfortunately, the storytelling just becomes too jumbled for my liking. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mindset for watching it? I say this because I enjoyed parts of it and could go along for the emotional ride for quite some time.

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Having had the pleasure and priveledge of reading the filmmaker’s own words about the movie. Particularly how it deals with trauma. I think the following quote explains the movie better than I ever could, so here goes…

“The Rabbit Trap will be a psychological horror that is a feast for the senses, deeply personal and singularly weird, yet full of heart and catharsis.” – Bryn Chainey

I can recognize this in the movie. And yet, I can’t help but shake the feeling that while I felt the story, I was also left with more questions than I would’ve liked.

This is a drawback that I can’t ignore, while I still want to encourage people to experience it for themselves. I mean, the runtime is just 88 minutes, and the cast was amazing with all three (Dev Patel, Rosy McEwen, and Jade Croot) delivering memorable portraits.

RABBIT TRAP is out in theaters on September 12, 2025.

Details

Director: Bryn Chainey
Writer: Bryn Chainey
Cast: Dev Patel, Rosy McEwen, Jade Croot

ROW is a new survival thriller that takes place mostly on a fairly small rowboat crossing the Atlantic. It could have been much better, and that’s not to say it’s bad. Unfortunately, it just isn’t good either. Read our full Row movie review here!

ROW is a survival thriller told via flashbacks from the survivor of a failed world record attempt. This is not a spoiler, but the very beginning of the story. And I am admittedly a sucker for a good survival story, so we’re off to a great start.

Unfortunately, and I am sorry to begin with that particular word, it did not live up to the expectations I had. There was just too much about the characters and the plot that didn’t work for me.

Continue reading our Row movie review below. Find it in UK theaters from September 5, 2025.

Row, row, row your boat

I am honestly fascinated by the idea of crossing the Atlantic by boat. Not in the sense that I want to do it, but I have loved reading about (or watching interviews with) people who have done it.

Especially when someone has rowed across the Atlantic by themselves, just one person. What I’m getting at is simply that on paper, Row is a movie that speaks to me.

When Row opens, it’s with a young woman (Bella Dayne), who has just washed ashore in Scotland. She’s on a blood-stained rowing boat, which indicates that something brutal and tragic has happened.

What happened on the boat?

However, the young woman is suffering from memory loss, and her memories need to be coaxed out. What she does know is that she was part of a trans-Atlantic world record attempt.

Also, due to the blood on the boat and her crewmates nowhere to be found, they are all presumed dead. In other words, she is the only one who has the answers. Including the memories that will hopefully show she hasn’t hurt anyone.

Again, a great starting point, but very early on, it gets problematic.

For me, the biggest problem is that they seem grossly unprepared. Or, at the very least, very under-prepared. Also, a newcomer is added to the four people attempting to break this world record, at the very last second.

I cannot imagine that this would ever happen. Sure, there is timing and the desire to just “do it” despite this change, but it’s also a dangerous trip, so why risk it?! Overall, most (all?) characters will act in ways that make them unlikable.

I am not a fan of that. Nuanced and fleshed-out characters? Yes, please. But a bunch of jerks that seem to be winging it a little too much? No, thank you.

Watch Row in theaters 

Row is directed by Matt Losasso, who also co-wrote it with Nick Skaugen, the co-star of the movie. Honestly, a few small tweaks (and a few bigger ones) would have made this movie work so much better.

The cast of Row does actually deliver what the script demands, so I can’t fault them. You can look forward to seeing Bella Dayne (Humans), Sophie Skelton (Outlander), Akshay Khanna (Murderbot), and writer Nick Skaugen on the boat.

I do want to mention that maybe I was just expecting something else, because the movie has done well at film festivals. It’s at an IMDb rating of 5.1 as of writing this review, but it also won the Best UK Feature award at Raindance Film Festival 2025.

Following its theatrical release, Row will also be out on Digital and DVD from September 29, 2025.

This is a strong debut, but (for me, anyway) it also leaves something to be desired. It has lots of scenes that feel like something straight out of a psychological horror movie, and I adored those moments. In other words, there is lots of potential.

Row is out in UK theaters from September 5, 2025. We will update this with a US release date when available.

Details

Director: Matthew Losasso
Screenwriters: Matthew Losasso, Nick Skaugen
Cast: Sophie Skelton, Bella Dayne, Akshay Khanna, Nick Skaugen, Mark Strepan

LOOKOUT is a new sci-fi thriller with a small cast and a simple plot, but it works well for the most part. It was a little too long and had a few developments that didn’t work too well for me. Read our full Lookout movie review here!

LOOKOUT is a sci-fi thriller that feels very realistic despite having a plot that is certainly supernatural. Still, the small cast and the use of simple, practical effects did result in something that just worked.

Had the runtime been shorter and/or the storytelling tighter, this movie would easily have gotten a higher rating. If you’re in the mood for a relatable and very small story, then this is definitely worth a shot.

Continue reading our Lookout movie review below. Find it on Digital from September 2, 2025.

Looking for some peace

In Lookout, our main character seeks to find some peace and quiet. And what better way to find it than being stationed in the middle of a forest as a lookout for forest fires?!

After a life that has been way too turbulent, Melissa accepts a job as a fire lookout at a remote wilderness tower. She’s a young woman, and the “work” is only a few minutes per day where she needs to check in.

I mean, sure, there is no running water and you’re very isolated, but that’s pretty much the point.

More than meets the eye

Of course, when strange things happen and eerie disturbances occur that she can’t quite understand or explain, Melissa can’t help but investigate. This is when she discovers that she isn’t as alone as she believed.

Also, something quite out of this world may be the cause of these strange events.

As she settles into her new role, strange occurrences begin to unfold, and she must uncover the chilling secrets that disrupt her isolation before it’s too late.

Watch Lookout on Digital or Blu-ray/DVD

Lookout is directed by Stefan Colson, and the screenplay comes from Brandon Cahela. Overall, there was a lot of promise to the movie, which may be why I was ultimately a little disappointed.

I did, however, like Meghan Carrasquillo in the lead role as Melissa. She worked from the very beginning to the final scene. As a ranger left to her own devices. Meghan Carrasquillo came across as very believable and relatable.

Still, from the opening scene, I just had different expectations for this movie, and maybe that’s more on me than the movie. However, I can only speak to what I felt… and it was a little disappointment.

It’s worth watching for fans of sci-fi thrillers, who enjoy the smaller-scale stories and practical effects. I just can’t help but feel it could’ve been better.

Lookout is out on Digital Platforms and Blu-ray/DVD on September 2, 2025.

Details

Director: Stefan Colson
Writer: Brandon Cahela
Cast: Meghan Carrasquillo, Trent Culkin, John Marrs