‘First Moon’ stars Lauren Esposito, Julian Curtis, and Shannon Ryan. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Why Werewolf Movies Still Howl at the Moon
Werewolf movies have captivated audiences for decades with their potent blend of horror, folklore, and human emotion. From classics like The Wolf Man (1941) to modern cult favorites like Ginger Snaps and An American Werewolf in London, these films explore themes of transformation, inner conflict, and the beast within.
What makes werewolf stories so enduring? The genre taps into our primal fears and fascination with the supernatural. The werewolf is often both victim and monster—a symbol of identity struggles, rage, and loss of control. This duality, paired with suspenseful storytelling and visceral special effects, keeps the genre fresh and alive in horror cinema.
A new chapter in werewolf horror has arrived—First Moon is now available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
Starring The Conjuring 2‘s Lauren Esposito and featuring creature design by Emmy Award-winning SFX artist Thomas E. Surprenant (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Halloween H20, The Grinch), First Moon offers a chilling, cult-inspired twist on werewolf lore.
Written & Directed by: Peter McLeod Starring: Lauren Esposito, Julian Curtis, Shannon Ryan
Plot: A young waitress is abducted by a religious cult determined to “cure” her of a werewolf virus—by any means necessary. With her first full moon fast approaching, she must escape before it’s too late.
First Moon still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Emily Moss Wilson’s new film ‘Inheritance.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.
When it comes to films, dramas contain emotional depth, compelling characters, and exploration of the human experience. They often tackle complex themes such as love, loss, identity, and morality, allowing viewers to connect with the story on a personal level. This emotional resonance is a key reason for their enduring appeal. Whether based on true events or fictional narratives, dramas invite introspection and empathy, offering a mirror to society and the self. Their ability to evolve with cultural shifts while maintaining timeless emotional truths ensures their continued popularity across generations, making them a cornerstone of cinema around the world.
The new drama film Inheritance will be showing in select US theaters from May 6 through May 22 and will be available on digital and on demand on June 3. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
‘Inheritance’…The Past Never Dies
Directed by Emily Moss Wilson Starring Austin Highsmith Garces (Scream TV Series, Criminal Minds, Dolphin Tale), Rachel Noll James, Wes Brown (True Blood, 90210, Hart of Dixie), Michelle Hurd (Star Trek: Picard, Blindspot Hawaii Five-0)
Estranged sisters Lucy and Paige reluctantly reunite to bury their father, only to find themselves drawn back into the tangled web of their painful past. As old wounds resurface, they discover that they’ve inherited far more than just money.
CINEMA SCREENING TIMES BELOW
LOS ANGELES, CA May 6th @ 7p.m. – Laemmle Glendale – MORE INFO HERE *Talkback with actors Michelle Hurd & Austin Highsmith Garces May 8th @ 7p.m. – Laemmle Santa Monica – MORE INFO HERE *Talkback with actors Michelle Hurd & Austin Highsmith Garces May 9th – May 22nd – Laemmle Santa Monica (Various Times – TBA)
WASHINGTON STATE May 9th – 22nd @ 6:30p.m. daily – Bainbridge Island Cinemas – TICKETS HERE *Talkbacks on May 13th and 22nd with actor/writer Rachel Noll James and producer Sienna Beckman May 9th – 15th @ 6p.m. daily – Historic Admiral in West Seattle – TICKETS HERE May 21st @ 7p.m. – Kingston Firehouse Theater – TICKETS HERE *Talkback with actor/writer Rachel Noll James and producer Sienna Beckman
NEW ORLEANS, LA May 18th @ 3p.m. – The Broad Theater – TICKETS HERE *Talkback with director Emily Moss Wilson, editor Misty Talley, producer Daniel Lewis
Inheritance still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Written and directed by Joy Hopwood, It’s Our Time will be available starting April 15, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Romantic comedies, or rom-coms, hold a timeless charm that continue to captivate audiences. Blending humor with heart, they offer a lighthearted escape into worlds where love triumphs and laughter heals. Viewers are drawn to the chemistry between characters, the witty dialogue, and the hopeful endings that promise happiness despite obstacles. Rom-coms often mirror real-life relationships, making them relatable while still idealized enough to be comforting. Their universal themes of connection, vulnerability, and second chances resonate across cultures. In an often chaotic world, romantic comedies provide a feel-good refuge—a reminder that love, with a little humor, can be beautifully uncomplicated.
For fans of romantic comedies, here’s a new one that will be available on digital and on demand starting April 15, 2025: It’s Our Time.
It’s Our Time: Filmmaker Emilia Kong is about to be evicted and her screenplay might just be her ticket to success. But when her ruthless script funding officer falls for her best friend, Emilia’s plan spirals into a hilarious mess of misunderstandings, friendship, and love. It will be available on digital and on demand on April 15, 2025. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
Written & directed by Joy Hopwood Starring Peter Thurnwald (XO, Kitty), Tiana Hogben, Bianca Bradey
It’s Our Time movie still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The gripping crime thriller The Interrogation of Anna Goode is coming to digital and on demand on April 8, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Crime thrillers captivate audiences with their intense narratives, suspenseful twists, and morally complex characters. These films often explore the darker sides of human nature, weaving intricate plots filled with deception, mystery, and high-stakes action. Viewers are drawn to the adrenaline rush of solving crimes alongside detectives or navigating the minds of criminals. The unpredictability and psychological depth keep audiences on edge, making each moment gripping. From classic noir to modern psychological thrillers, crime films provide an escape into a world of danger and intrigue, where justice is uncertain and the line between good and evil is often blurred.
The new crime thriller The Interrogation of Anna Goode is coming to digital and on demand on April 8, 2025.(One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
The Interrogation of Anna Goode – While questioning a murder suspect, FBI Agent John Savage inexplicably finds himself on the opposite side of the table. Now framed for the crime, he must go to extreme lengths to reveal the shocking truth.
Written & directed by DC Hamilton Starring Max Adler, Neil Hopkins, Brinna Kelly
The Interrogation of Anna Goode movie still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
To Die Alone will be available on all major digital platforms on March 25. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Survivalist thrillers create high-stakes scenarios where characters must overcome extreme challenges to stay alive. These films often explore themes of resilience, resourcefulness, and human instinct, making them both thrilling and thought-provoking. Whether set in the wilderness, post-apocalyptic landscapes, or disaster-stricken environments, these movies keep viewers on edge with intense action, suspenseful storytelling, and psychological depth. The appeal lies in the raw tension and the characters’ fight against overwhelming odds, allowing audiences to experience danger vicariously while contemplating their own survival instincts in similar situations. These films offer both adrenaline and emotional depth.
If you like these types of movies, there’s a new one coming out next week: To Die Alone.
Following its world premiere at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and its Audience Award win for Best Narrative Feature, the survival thriller To Die Alone will be available on all major digital platforms starting March 25.
Directed by Austin Smagalski Produced by Connie Jo Sechrist, Austin Smagalski Starring James Tang and Lisa Jacqueline Starrett
In this gripping survival thriller, after suffering a devastating injury while hiking the remote Pacific Crest Trail, Irving must navigate the treacherous wilderness alone, battling not only physical pain but her own inner demons. With only a stranger named Ford to help her, she faces her deepest fears to survive.
To Die Alone movie still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath is now available on digital and on demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
There’s something about supernatural horror movies that fascinate me. The combination of eerie atmospheres, unsettling suspense, and the unknown is the recipe for an unforgettable movie experience. Unlike traditional horror, which often relies on physical threats, supernatural horror explores ghosts, demons, curses, and unexplained phenomena, tapping into deep-seated fears of the unseen. These films create psychological terror, leaving viewers questioning reality long after the credits roll. Classics like The Exorcist and The Conjuring create religious dread, while others, like Hereditary, explore family trauma through supernatural elements. The genre’s appeal lies in its ability to transport audiences beyond logic, immersing them in chilling, otherworldly experiences that challenge their perceptions of fear.
Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath is a Thai movie directed by Paphangkorn Punchantarak. It is now available on demand and digital on Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath – Friends since childhood, two lonely outcasts longing to be loved meet again. However, they must subdue a bloodthirsty demon residing in one of them. It is the sequel to Inhuman Kiss.
Sai has inherited her mother’s curse of the “Krasue” – a flesh-eating monster who possesses her body at night. When Sai starts to fall in love with the strange boy next-door, they realize his genetic mutation might be the cure. But at what cost…
Starring Chanya McClory, Kritsanapoom Pibulsonggram, Krisada Sukosol Clapp, Joe Cummings
Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath movie still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Die Alone will be released in the UK on March 10. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Zombie movies have captivated audiences for decades, blending horror, action, and social commentary. Their appeal lies in the thrilling survival scenarios, intense suspense, and gruesome effects that keep viewers on edge. These films often reflect societal fears, from pandemics to societal collapse, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking. Classics like Night of the Living Dead and modern hits like Train to Busan showcase human resilience and moral dilemmas in apocalyptic settings. Fans enjoy the adrenaline rush, the eerie atmosphere, and the chance to imagine how they would survive a zombie outbreak, making the genre a lasting favorite in horror cinema.
For zombie movie lovers, there’s the recent new movie Die Alone. It’s a Canadian horror thriller that was released in September of last year. It focuses more on the protagonist’s emotional journey and mystery than the usual zombie gore and violence. The film had its European premiere at Sitges last year. Die Alone will be released in the UK & Ireland on Digital Download, DVD and Blu-ray from March 10.
In the US, it’s available on Tubi,Amazon Video, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
London UK: Lightbulb Film Distribution is pleased to share the poster and trailer for new post-apocalyptic thriller, Die Alone. (Strike Media, 2025)
Die Alone – In a post-apocalyptic world, a young man with amnesia joins forces with a hardened survivalist during a zombie outbreak, as they set out to find his missing girlfriend. It stars Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, and Frank Grillo.
“We are delighted to be bringing Die Alone to audiences in the UK & Ireland. Inspired by films like 28 Days Later, it’s a thrill-ride from start to finish.” – Commercial Director, Matthew Kreuzer
Release date: March 10 Directed by: Lowell Dean Formats: Digital, DVD, & Blu-Ray Run Time: 90 mins.
Die Alone production still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Baby in the Basket is the chilling new gothic horror movie starring Amber Doig-Thorne. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Gothic horror movies captivate audiences with their eerie atmosphere, dark settings, and psychological tension. Set in crumbling mansions, foggy landscapes, or ancient castles, these films evoke a sense of dread and mystery. Themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural are often explored, blending the fear of the unknown with the human psyche’s darkest corners. The use of vivid imagery, such as shadowy figures and mysterious creatures, intensifies the feeling of vulnerability. Audiences are drawn to gothic horror for its ability to transport them into a world where fear lingers in every corner, offering a thrilling escape into the macabre.
Shepka Productions, in partnership with Flickering Myth, are delighted to announce the release of new chilling, gothic horror The Baby in the Basket. The feature will be available on Digital in the UK and USA, and on DVD (UK only) from February 17th. (Strike Media, 2025)
The Baby in the Basket features a stellar cast of horror favorites including Amber Doig-Thorne (Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey), Michaela Longden (How to Kill Monsters), Elle O’Hara (Cara), Lisa Riesner (No Dogs Allowed) and Nathan Shepka (Dead Before They Wake). Also starring veteran British talent Annabelle Lanyon (Legend), with Maryam d’Abo (The Living Daylights) and Paul Barber (The Full Monty).
It’s 1944 and World War Two rages on. The sisters of St. Augustine’s, a convent on a remote Scottish island, are preparing for an incoming storm. One night a cloaked figure leaves a baby in a basket and disappears, never to be seen again.
The nuns take in the boy, and agree to look after him until the storm passes when they will take the child to the mainland for permanent care. However, after a night under their watch, unsettling things begin to happen with the newest addition to the convent. Sister Agnes (Amber Doig-Thorne) suspects the child is the spawn of Satan, causing her to be locked away for fear that she’s been driven mad by the isolation.
But increasingly strange occurrences lead the sisters to question their faith and everything they believe, they wonder has Sister Agnes fallen victim to the desolation of the remote island setting or was there really weight in her suspicions?
The Baby in the Basket is directed by Nathan Shepka and Andy Crane from a script written by Tom Jolliffe (Cinderella’s Revenge, Renegades). The film is produced by Shepka Productions, Flickering Myth, and Hidden Ridge Productions, in association with Jolliffe Productions and Nerdly UK.
The Baby in the Basket will be available to own or rent on digital download in the UK and US and to own on DVD (for the UK only) from 17th February.
Pre-order your UK copy of the DVD on Amazon or HMV.
The Baby in the Basket still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The thriller Never Have I Ever is now available for streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
When it comes to movies, thrillers captivate moviegoers by blending suspense, mystery, and intense emotional conflict. These films often explore the complexities of the human mind, where perception and reality blur, leaving audiences on edge. The tension stems from characters’ internal struggles, psychological manipulation, and unexpected twists, which keep viewers guessing and engaged. Rather than relying on gore or action, these thrillers build fear through atmosphere, ambiguity, and mind games, tapping into universal anxieties. The appeal lies in the challenge they present, including trying to outwit the story, questioning what’s real, and experiencing a sense of unease long after the credits roll.
Now available for streaming on Fandango at Home is Never Have I Ever.
Directed by Damon Rickard, it stars Andrew Lee Potts, Beatrice Fletcher, and Amber Doig-Thorne. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
Never Have I Ever – Sam is already having a bad day but an incident from Sam’s youth resurfaces in ways he couldn’t imagine and starts a series of events that send his life spiraling out of control and embroiling him in an escalating game of cat and mouse.
He is having a terrible day. He is late delivering a screenplay and the threat of being forced to repay his advance looms ominously over him as he simply doesn’t have the money left. But his day goes from bad to worse when a variety of strange things start happening. From simply losing his wallet to seemingly having multiple break-ins to his home. Then a chance encounter whilst drowning his sorrows sends his day in directions he couldn’t possibly have anticipated.
Still from Never Have I Ever. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Dead Before They Wake will be available to rent or own in the UK from 27th January. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Topical thrillers take current events, real-world issues, or contemporary themes to create fast-paced, suspenseful narratives. Their appeal lies in their relevance, making them feel immediate and relatable. By incorporating elements such as political intrigue, technological threats, or social tensions, these stories tap into the anxieties and curiosities of today’s world. Viewers are often drawn to the sense of urgency and the high stakes, feeling a personal connection to the situations depicted. Topical thrillers offer not just entertainment, but also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and risks facing society, heightening emotional engagement and anticipation.
London – Shepka Productions have announced the UK release of the brutal, topical thriller, Dead Before They Wake. The feature will be available to rent or own on Digital Platforms in the UK from January 27th and is available to download in the US now. (Strike Media, 2025)
Based on true events, the film follows nightclub bouncer Alex who is hired by a retired lawyer to track down a missing teenage girl, suspected of being snared by a trafficking ring, and to bring her home no matter what it takes.
Dead Before They Wake stars Nathan Shepka (Lock & Load, The Baby in the Basket), Grace Cordell (Cara), Manjot Sumal (The Last Bus, hit BBC sitcom Scot Squad), Kareem Nasif (The Job). Also starring Dr Who legend Sylvester McCoy (The Hobbit trilogy, The Munsters), and Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With the Enemy, Patriot Games).
“We wanted to base the film on real events and researched how UK sex trafficking gangs operate to give the film a grounded sense of reality. It is important to highlight what goes on every day and can often by ignored by the mainstream. We don’t feel any studio would have taken on the story in this way, it is likely to be a divisive and controversial portrayal. Ultimately there still has to be a pay-off for the audience; the film culminates in a brutal revenge-driven showdown.” – Producer Nathan Shepka
Dead Before They Wake is directed by Andy Crane and Nathan Shepka. The film features an original score by Academy Award winning composer Joseph Renzetti and is produced by Nathan Shepka.
SA Examiner 