The new Silent Night, Deadly Night will be released in theaters on December 12. Photo: IMDb
The Appeal of Horror–Christmas Mashups
When it comes to movies, horror–Christmas mashups have a special appeal because they blend two wildly contrasting moods: festive warmth and unsettling fear. The holidays are usually associated with joy, nostalgia, and togetherness, so adding a dark twist makes the familiar feel fresh and unpredictable.
This contrast heightens tension while keeping the tone playful, inviting viewers to enjoy scares without taking them too seriously. The genre also taps into the chaos and stress that can lurk beneath holiday cheer, offering a cathartic release. Ultimately, these mashups work because they’re fun, surprising, and delightfully subversive, turning tradition on its head in the most entertaining way.
Latest Release in the Genre: Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)
Silent Night, Deadly Night is a 2025 slasher film written and directed by Mike P. Nelson. It is the second remake of the 1984 film of the same name, following Silent Night (2012), and marks the seventh installment in the Silent Night, Deadly Night series. (IMDb, 2025)
The film stars Rohan Campbell as Billy Chapman, alongside Ruby Modine, David Lawrence Brown, David Tomlinson, and Mark Acheson.
The movie premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 21, 2025, and is scheduled for U.S. release by Cineverse on December 12, 2025.
Plot Summary
When Billy witnesses his parents’ grisly murder at the hands of Santa, it ignites a lifelong mission to spread holiday fear. Every Christmas, he dons the red suit and embarks on a blood-soaked massacre to feed his twisted sense of justice.
Director: Harley Wallen Cast: Sean Whalen, Angelina Danielle Cama, Maria Olsen Genres: Horror, Drama, Thriller, Mystery
A Haunting Premise
The film opens in Scandinavia in 912 AD, where a man named Frey murders a young girl. The villagers capture him and bury him alive. Centuries later, we’re introduced to Julie (Angelina Danielle Cama), a foster child nearing her 18th birthday. Julie lives under the watch of foster parents Todd (Sean Whalen), a struggling gambler, and Janelle (Maria Olsen), whose kind facade quickly cracks.
When Julie discovers a mysterious Yggdrasil pendant in the woods, she unknowingly unleashes Frey—an ancient evil disguised as a wounded man. Out of compassion, she shelters him in a barn, only to realize his sinister nature as his power grows.
Mythology Meets Horror
Beneath Us All delivers a haunting twist on Norse mythology. The pendant and Frey’s dark origins add a folkloric depth that elevates the familiar “evil in the woods” setup. The film avoids cheap jump scares, instead relying on slow-building dread and an atmosphere of unease.
The cinematography captures the forest as a living threat—dark, still, and heavy with shadows. Every frame lingers with tension, making the setting a character in its own right.
Performances and Themes
Angelina Danielle Cama delivers a standout performance, balancing fear, compassion, and determination. Her protective nature toward the younger children raises the stakes, grounding the supernatural threat in raw human emotion.
Some dialogue feels clunky, and the middle act struggles with pacing, but the emotional weight of the final confrontation makes up for it. Themes of survival, found family, and temptation intertwine with the mythological horror, keeping the story compelling.
Final Thoughts
Beneath Us All is a chilling, myth-driven thriller that blends folklore with classic horror suspense. While some familiar tropes creep in, its Norse twist and atmospheric tension make it worth watching. It’s available for streaming on Tubi.
🎥 Recommended for fans of atmospheric horror and creature features.
“Look, Julie. I know you, okay? You’re a good person. No, they stomped it out of me a long time ago.”
The latest installment of The Conjuring movies is now in theaters. Photo: The Conjuring Movie
The Conjuring Movies: Why Fans Keep Coming Back for More
Few horror franchises have left as big a mark on modern cinema as The Conjuring series. Blending supernatural chills with the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, these films go beyond simple jump scares. One big difference is the human element, the Warrens’ deep bond as a couple. Their love, faith, and unshakable resilience ground the terrifying stories, making audiences feel invested not only in the hauntings, but also in the people fighting against them.
The gothic atmosphere, expertly timed scares, and “based on true events” tag keep moviegoers coming back for more, proving that fear feels a little more real when it’s rooted in history.
The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) – A Spine-Chilling Farewell
Released this week, The Conjuring: Last Ritescloses out the first phase of The Conjuring Universe with an emotional and terrifying send-off. As the sequel to The Devil Made Me Do It, it doesn’t just aim for scares, it aims for closure.
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren, reminding us why they’ve become horror icons. Their chemistry elevates every scene, balancing tenderness with the heavy burden of confronting evil. This time, we also see the Warrens’ daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and her boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy) step into the story, which adds fresh family stakes.
At 2 hours and 15 minutes, the movie packs in plenty of eerie set pieces, bone-chilling encounters, and a sense of finality that longtime fans will appreciate. It’s less about reinvention and more about honoring the legacy of what came before, a fitting, if bittersweet, conclusion.
Genre: Horror Rating: R Runtime: 2 hr 15 min
A Look Back at The Conjuring Universe
Over the past decade, the franchise has delivered both hits and spin-offs, expanding into one of the most successful horror universes of all time:
The Conjuring
Annabelle
The Conjuring 2
Annabelle: Creation
The Nun
Annabelle Comes Home
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The Nun II
The Conjuring: Last Rites
With Last Rites, the Warrens’ chapter may be closing, but the fear they’ve stirred on screen will linger for years. Are you a fan of these movies? Which one is your favorite?
Joe Hollow’s ‘Flesh of the Unforgiven.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Flesh of the Unforgiven: Death Is Only the Beginning
Synopsis
In Flesh of the Unforgiven, novelist Jack Russo (JoeHollow) is suffering from crippling writer’s block. In a last-ditch effort to revive his creativity, he retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains of Quebec with his estranged wife, Sienna (DebbieRochon). Under pressure from his agent to deliver a treatment for his next bestseller within 72 hours, Jack is sent a mysterious VHS tape—meant to spark inspiration.
It starts as mere curiosity and quickly devolves into obsession. The disturbing contents of the tape drag Jack into a spiral of paranoia, hallucination, and dread. As he teeters on the edge of madness, Sienna struggles to ground him in reality. But she harbors secrets of her own—ones that blur the lines between the living and the dead. As they’re pulled into the twisted realm of the Death Dealer and his legion of manipulative demons, both Jack and Sienna must confront terrifying truths—about themselves, and about the price of fear.
Written and directed by Joe Hollow, the cast includes Debbie Rochon as Sienna Russo, Joe Hollow as Jack Russo/Death Dealer, August Kyss as Vivienne, and Adriana Uchishiba as Livinia.
This independent psychological horror film is a brutal, dreamlike exploration of grief, guilt, and damnation, wrapped in a narrative that feels like a waking nightmare. As psychological unrest spirals into full-blown torment, reality becomes warped, and redemption feels increasingly out of reach.
The film’s atmosphere is suffocatingly dark, enhanced by haunting cinematography and a pulse-pounding score that echoes like a heartbeat from hell. The performances are raw and deeply emotional—especially as the Death Dealer toys with his victims, offering twisted salvation in exchange for them embracing their deepest fears.
While the story sometimes stumbles under the weight of its own symbolism, it never loses momentum. The creature design is grotesque and unforgettable, with each demon representing a unique form of psychological torment. It’s not just a horror movie—it’s a disturbing reflection on punishment, corrupted love, and the monsters that live within us.
⚠️ Content Warning
Flesh of the Unforgiven is not for the faint of heart. The film features graphic nudity, gore, and intense violence throughout, including an explicit opening scene, and as a whole, flirts with softcore horror-porn territory. It’s a bold and boundary-pushing film that won’t appeal to everyone—and it’s definitely not family-friendly.
That said, for fans of indie psychological and supernatural horror, this film offers a darkly imaginative take on fear, deals with the devil, and the unbearable weight of our inner demons. NSFW alert: proceed with caution—but horror lovers may find themselves morbidly transfixed.
“Don’t run from your fears, embrace them. The words of an ancient evil called…the Death Dealer. It is said that he exists within a realm that lies between life and death. Searching for lost souls and using his legion of demons to guide them.. If you’re chosen, he’ll make you a deal. Granting a new life beyond death. In return…you must face your fears…and embrace them. He owns your soul once the deal is made. But the fate of the soul, depends on your will to survive.”
*Thank you to Joe Williamson for the screener link for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions are my own.
Debbie Rochon as Sienna Russo. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Coming soon: Do Not Enter. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.
The Allure of Horror Movies
Horror movies captivate audiences by tapping into primal fears and creating a safe space to confront the unknown. They offer an adrenaline rush, suspense, and the thrill of survival, all from the comfort of a theater or living room.
Viewers are drawn to the tension, unexpected twists, and the release that comes after a scare. Horror also reflects societal anxieties, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether through supernatural entities, psychological terror, or gore, these films challenge boundaries and stimulate curiosity.
Ultimately, horror allows people to explore fear, mortality, and the dark side of human nature in a controlled environment.
Coming Soon: Do Not Enter
Attention horror movie fans — if you’re looking for your next terrifying thrill, Do Not Enteris one to watch for. (EG PR, 2025)
Based on the 2005 novel Creepers by First Blood (the basis for the Rambo movies) author David Morrell, the film follows a group of urban explorers known as the Creepers. These thrill-seekers livestream their adventures through abandoned locations, and their latest target—the eerie, mob-connected Paragon Hotel in New Jersey—promises more danger than they bargained for.
Blending action-thriller roots with supernatural horror, Do Not Enter explores themes of loss, trauma, and the high cost of fame.
🎬Do Not Enter – Movie Details
Genre: Horror
Rating: R (for bloody violence and some language)
Runtime: 91 minutes
Release Date: Coming Soon
Directed by: Marc Klasfeld
Screenplay by: Stephen Susco, Spencer Mandel & Dikega Hadnot
Based on: Creepers by David Morrell
Produced by: Jordan Schur, p.g.a.
Cast: Jake Manley, Adeline Rudolph, Francesca Reale, Shane Paul McGhie, Kai Caster, Javier Botet, Nicholas Hamilton, Brennan Keel Cook, Catrina Shank, and Laurence O’Fuarain.
Synopsis
The Creepers are thrill-seeking urban explorers chasing the ultimate stunt: livestreaming their night inside the abandoned Paragon Hotel. With a dark history of mob activity, ghost stories, and a rumored hidden fortune of $300 million, the hotel is irresistible.
But the deeper they go, the more terrifying it becomes. Haunted by supernatural forces and hunted by deadly rivals, the Creepers are forced to confront their limits—mentally, physically, and morally.
Lionsgate and Suretone Pictures present a Suretone Pictures production: Do Not Enter. Stay tuned for the official release date.
The Sound is available on Video On Demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Movie Review: The Sound (2025)
Survival, Supernatural Terror, and the Forbidden Wall
Release Date: June 27, 2025 Available in Theaters & On Demand Distributor: Blue Harbor Entertainment Rating: R (Language and Some Violence) Running Time: 104 mins Genres: Thriller / Horror / Action
Synopsis
Survival horror thriller The Sound opened nationwide in theaters and on Video on Demand on June 27, 2025. Distributed by Blue Harbor Entertainment, the film plunges audiences into an adrenaline-charged nightmare on one of the most dangerous climbs ever attempted. (EG-PR, 2025)
A world-class team of climbers is granted access to the Forbidden Wall, a mysterious rock face sealed off for decades. Among them is Sean (Marc Hills), whose grandfather’s doomed attempt 63 years ago has become legend. But as the climbers ascend, they are confronted by a malevolent force that transforms their expedition into a terrifying battle for survival—hundreds of feet above ground and completely isolated from help.
Cast & Crew
Produced, Directed & Written by: Brendan Devane (The Canyonlands)
Executive Producer: James Devane (Sadieland Productions)
Director of Photography: Ryan Galvan
Editing: Alex Russek (Reel Rock)
Score by: James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Starring: Marc Hills (Elephant Department), Rachel Finninger (American Horror Story), Nicholas Baroudi (The Hating Game), Jocelyn Hudon (The Strain), William Fichtner (Crash, Armageddon), Christina Kirkman (Trigger Happy), Jolene Kay (Star Trek), David Clennon (The Thing), Hazel Findlay (Reel Rock), Brette Harrington (The Alpinist), Adrian Ballinger (Edge Of The Earth), Alex Honnold (Free Solo)
Review
The Sound is a chilling and suspenseful horror thriller that combines the physical danger of a mountaineering expedition with the creeping dread of supernatural terror. Set against the dizzying heights of the Forbidden Wall, the film begins as a survival story and spirals into a psychological nightmare.
Marc Hills gives a standout performance as Sean, a climber burdened by his family’s haunted legacy. The eerie backstory involving his grandfather’s failed expedition adds depth and mystery, enhancing the film’s foreboding tone.
While the film excels in atmosphere and breathtaking cinematography, particularly during the sweeping climbing sequences, it stumbles slightly in character development and pacing. Some of the supporting roles fall into familiar tropes, and not all supernatural elements are fully fleshed out. However, the originality of combining climbing with horror, along with a memorable plot twist at the end, helps The Sound stand out.
Fans of vertical thrillers like The Descent or The Ritual will find much to enjoy here. The Sound leaves viewers gripping their seats—and maybe thinking twice about what lurks on forgotten mountainsides.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
*Thank you to EG-PR for the screener link for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Have you seen The Sound? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Brendan Devane’s ‘The Sound’ opens theatrically and on Video On Demand nationwide on June 27. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
🎬 THE SOUND – A High-Stakes Horror Thriller Set Against a Vertical Nightmare
Release Date: In Theaters and On Demand – June 27 (US) Genre: Thriller / Horror / Action Rating: R Running Time: 104 minutes
🔥 Synopsis
In the gripping new horror thriller The Sound, a team of elite climbers is given rare access to the Forbidden Wall—a towering, remote rock face that has remained closed off for decades. Among them is Sean (Marc Hills), a seasoned climber haunted by the memory of his grandfather’s doomed attempt on the same wall 63 years prior.
But what begins as a high-adrenaline expedition soon devolves into a terrifying fight for survival. As the team ascends, they encounter a chilling and malevolent force lurking within the rock, one that will push them far beyond their physical and psychological limits—hundreds of feet above solid ground.
The Sound courtesy clip, used with permission.
🎥 Key Cast
Marc Hills (Elephant Department)
Rachel Finninger (American Horror Story)
Nicholas Baroudi (The Hating Game)
Jocelyn Hudon (The Strain)
William Fichtner (Crash, Armageddon)
Christina Kirkman, Jolene Kay, David Clennon, and elite climbers Hazel Findlay, Brette Harrington, Adrian Ballinger, and Alex Honnold (Free Solo) add realism and intensity to the climbing sequences.
🎬 Creative Team
Written, Directed & Produced by: Brendan Devane (The Canyonlands)
Executive Producer: James Devane (Sadieland Productions)
On VOD – Available on all major platforms including:
Apple TV
Amazon Prime Video
Fandango At Home
And more
🧗♂️ Final Thoughts
The Sound promises an intense blend of claustrophobic fear, psychological horror, and heart-pounding action—all set on a precarious vertical battlefield. With real-life climbing legends in the cast and a chilling supernatural twist, this is one summer thriller that will leave audiences hanging… literally.
The movie adaptation of Adam Cesare’s ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ is in movie theaters now. Photo: Barnes & Noble
The Terrifying Appeal of Clowns in Horror
Clowns have long been a staple in horror movies, tapping into a deep-rooted fear known as coulrophobia. Their exaggerated makeup, forced cheerfulness, and unpredictable behavior create a sense of unease, making them perfect villains.
From It’s Pennywise to Poltergeist’s creepy toy clown, these characters distort childhood innocence into pure terror. The contrast between their playful facade and sinister intentions fascinates audiences, offering a twisted reflection of trust gone wrong. Over the years, horror clowns have evolved from quirky jump-scare devices to complex symbols of chaos—continuing to captivate moviegoers who crave both fear and fascination in equal measure.
Bram Stoker Award Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel
In Adam Cesare‘s terrifying young adult debut, Quinn Maybrook finds herself caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress—a conflict that may cost her life. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)
Quinn and her father move to the tiny, seemingly boring town of Kettle Springs, hoping for a fresh start. But since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, the town has split in two:
The adults, desperate to return to a conservative past
The teens, eager to move on, party, and escape
Enter Frendo, the town’s former factory mascot—now a homicidal clown in a pork-pie hat. As tensions boil over, Frendo takes it upon himself to “cull the rotten crop” of local teens in a bloody attempt to restore order.
The series also includes:
“Frendo Lives: Clown in a Cornfield Book 2”
“The Church of Frendo: Clown in a Cornfield Book 3”
The movie adaptation is now in theaters nationwide.
Movie Review: Clown in a Cornfield
Clown in a Cornfield is a slasher horror film that blends old-school gore with modern teen angst, offering a chilling—if somewhat familiar—ride through rural Americana. It follows Quinn and her father as they settle in Kettle Springs, only to encounter terror when the clown-masked Frendo begins a gruesome rampage.
The movie taps into generational tension, pitting rebellious teens against a town stuck in the past. Frendo’s clown mask is genuinely unsettling, as is his menacing giggle, and the film delivers scares in everything from cornfield chases to abandoned farmhouses.
While the story doesn’t break new ground, its brisk pace, creative kills, and intense finale make it a solid entry in the teen slasher canon. If you’re in the mood for bloody fun with a side of small-town social commentary, Clown in a Cornfield delivers just enough thrills to satisfy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Having read the book before watching the movie, I can attest that the major plots present in the book made it into the movie and it has just a couple of major differences: Quinn’s father Glenn is given a more heroic role in the movie and Janet, the teen group’s queen bee, is not as deeply developed in the movie as she is in the book.
, J. Horton’s star-studded monster opus A Hard Place comes to VOD on May 27, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
A Hard Place Hits Digital May 27: J. Horton’s Genre-Bending Thriller Comes Home
Following a successful theatrical run, J. Horton’s apocalyptic crime thriller arrives on Digital VOD just in time for summer.
After months on the road, filmmaker J. Horton is bringing his latest film, A Hard Place, to audiences across North America via Digital VOD on May 27, 2025. Viewers will be able to rent or own the film on major platforms, including Apple TV and Prime Video. Pre-order on Apple TV. (Justin Cook PR, 2025)
From Indie Roadshow to Digital Release
The A Hard Place road show began on January 12 at Englewood Cinema, just outside Dayton, Ohio. From there, the film made its way through theaters and drive-ins across the country, especially in the Midwest. With many sold-out screenings and in-person Q&As with Horton, the film built momentum as it connected directly with audiences.
Theatrical and drive-in showings will continue at independent cinemas through May, leading up to the digital release.
A Cast of Genre Icons
A Hard Place brings together an impressive ensemble of horror and cult film veterans, including:
Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Terrifier 2)
Lynn Lowry (Shivers, The Crazies)
Sadie Katz (Wrong Turn 6, The Beast Inside)
Rachel Amanda Bryant (Craving)
Kevin Caliber (Future Man)
Ashley Undercuffler (Craving, 16 Bits)
Bai Ling (The Crow)
Horton on the Roadshow Experience
Ahead of the film’s wider release, Horton shared his thoughts on the journey:
“A Hard Place has been by far the most ambitious project I’ve ever made. This movie would not exist if not for the talent, generosity, and just general good personalities of ALL of the cast and crew, as well as our cinema partners.
In true Roger Corman style, we hit the road with A Hard Place, traveling with the film to theaters and drive-ins across the country. It’s been a complete joy to see the movie with multiple audiences — something a lot of independent movies don’t get the opportunity to do.”
What’s A Hard Place About?
After a botched job leaves a trail of bodies behind, a gang of desperate criminals seeks refuge in a remote desert hideout. But their plans fall apart fast when they discover the area is home to something far worse than the law — an ancient war between monstrous predators of day and night.
As tensions rise and the body count climbs, the crew must decide if survival is worth trusting each other — or the creatures hunting them.
Runtime: 88 minutes Country: USA
A Hard Place still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
‘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.
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