The Strange Comfort of Christmas Horror Movies

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.

Film Details

Release Date: December 12, 2025
Director: Mike P. Nelson
Running Time: 1h 36m
Genre: Horror

All Saints Day Is the Must-Watch Dark Comedy of the Season

All Saints Day will be available on digital and on demand. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.

🎬 New Release Spotlight: ALL SAINTS DAY

Some family reunions are more sobering than others…

Mark your calendars: ALL SAINTS DAY arrives on digital and on demand December 2. This darkly funny, emotionally layered story blends dark comedy with family drama in a tight, compelling 99-minute feature. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

About the Film

When Ronan realizes his oldest brother, Kier, is drinking himself toward disaster, he launches a desperate intervention. But doing so means calling in reinforcements: their estranged priest brother and long-lost sister.

What follows is a chaotic, heartfelt, and unexpectedly humorous Irish family reunion, where old wounds and buried secrets collide in ways no one is prepared for.

The Creative Team

Written by Julianne Homokay
Homokay is a multi-talented screenwriter, playwright, performer, director, and musician. With an MFA in Playwriting from UNLV, her work spans numerous full-length plays and musicals.

ALL SAINTS DAY is adapted from her original stage play All Saints in the Old Colony, a 2015 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center semi-finalist that premiered at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis in 2018.

Directed by Matt Aaron Krinsky
Krinsky, director, producer, and writer, brings extensive experience across film, theater, and live events. ALL SAINTS DAY marks his feature film directorial debut, introducing his grounded, character-driven approach to the big screen.

Starring

Don Swayze (Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t!, On Swift Horses, True Blood)
Lenny Clarke (NBC’s Extended Family, Halloween Kills)
Jeff Berg (NCIS, Battlefield I)

New Movie Strangers in a Car Park Challenges What We Choose to Believe

New Movie Spotlight: Strangers in a Car Park

🎬 Strangers in a Car Park

The truth will always come to light

Available On Digital and On Demand – November 11

Written and Directed by: Stuart McBratney

Starring:
Brenton Prince (Home and Away, Underbelly),
Lawrence Ola (Upright, Wellmania, face of STEP ONE underwear), and
Arnijka Larcombe-Weate (Boy Swallows Universe)

When a cleaning lady spots a celebrated surfer being honored with a medal for heroism, her world comes crashing down. She recognizes him as the man who assaulted her years ago. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

With only a streetwise courier by her side, she sets out to expose the truth, risking everything to confront the man who’s built his life on lies.

Strangers in a Car Park is an unflinching and unorthodox drama about memory, justice, and the lies we tell ourselves and others.

Release Date: November 11
Watch: On Digital & On Demand

Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.

Lying in Wait Delivers a Dark, Gripping Mystery

Lying in Wait is a girls’ night gone wrong thriller that keeps you guessing. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.

🎬 Lying In Wait (2025) — Movie Review

Synopsis:
During a girls’ night out, Skyler goes missing and Rachel and Daniela desperately search for her. All clues point to a kidnapping, but Rachel knows there’s more to the case and everyone has a secret. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

Lying in Wait is available to rent or own on Amazon Prime Video.

Written by: Tomas Decurgez & Savanah Joeckel
Directed by: Tomas Decurgez
Starring: Savanah Joeckel, Tony Garza, and Tomas CL
Genre: Thriller

Review

Lying in Wait delivers a tense, twist-filled thriller that keeps you guessing until the final moments. The film opens with a chilling scene: a couple enjoying a quiet day outdoors when their dog uncovers a buried body with only a fly-infested hand visible. From there, the focus shifts to Skyler and Rachel, who are picking up Daniela for what’s supposed to be a carefree girls’ night out.

That night quickly unravels into a nightmare when Skyler vanishes without a trace. Her friends Rachel and Daniela, portrayed with raw urgency and emotional depth, refuse to sit back as the police chase dead ends.

As Rachel digs deeper, the film peels back layers of deceit and every character hides something, and no one is who they seem. Director Tomas Decurgez balances moody cinematography with tight pacing, creating an atmosphere where even silence feels dangerous. The urban nightlife scenes, shot with grainy realism, amplify the sense of dread.

While some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, the suspense never lets up. The psychological tension drives the story, exploring friendship, guilt, and secrets that resurface when trust is broken. Told through a non-linear narrative, flashbacks gradually reveal the truth behind Skyler’s disappearance.

By the time the mystery unravels, Lying in Wait proves to be more than a simple kidnapping story; it’s a haunting exploration of betrayal and the dark corners of the human heart.

⭐ Rating: 4/5 — A gripping and atmospheric thriller worth watching.

*Thank you to One Tree Entertainment for the screener link for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Lying in Wait still. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.

Stephen King’s Dystopian Classic ‘The Running Man’ Gets a Bold New Adaptation in 2025

The new book to movie adaptation starring Glen Powell hits theaters on November 7. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Stephen King’s “The Running Man” Returns — and Hits the Big Screen

Originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1982, The Running Man later appeared as part of The Bachman Books collection in 1985. Now, this dark, dystopian thriller is making its way to the big screen, with Paramount’s new adaptation set to premiere on November 7, 2025.

A Deadly Game of Survival

In the world of The Running Man, survival is the only goal.

Ben Richards has lost everything—his job, his savings, and nearly his hope. With a sick daughter in need of urgent medical care, he takes a desperate gamble and signs up for the nation’s most popular (and brutal) reality show: The Running Man, where contestants are hunted for sport.

If Ben can stay alive for thirty days, he’ll win a billion dollars. The catch? No one has ever survived more than eight days. Pursued by a lethal strike force trained to kill, Richards must navigate a world where every step could be his last.

It’s a chilling story about desperation, power, and the lengths one man will go to save his family.

The Film Adaptation

The Running Man (2025)
A man joins a game show where contestants can run anywhere in the world—while professional “hunters” track them down.

Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Michael Bacall, Stephen King, Edgar Wright
Stars: Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, Josh Brolin
Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi, Dark Comedy, Survival, Action Adventure
Running Time: 140 minutes

With Wright’s trademark style and a powerhouse cast, this adaptation promises to bring King’s high-stakes vision to thrilling, satirical life.

About the Author

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent works include Never Flinch, You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (co-written with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges Trilogy: Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch.

King is the recipient of numerous honors, including:

2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 PEN America Literary Service Award
2014 National Medal of Arts
2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters

The Monster Lives On: Frankenstein’s Legacy and Guillermo del Toro’s New Film

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein will have a limited theater release starting October 17. Photo: TV Insider

Frankenstein: From Mary Shelley’s Gothic Classic to Guillermo del Toro’s New Film

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. At just 18 years old, Shelley began the story that would become one of the most enduring works of literature. The first edition was published anonymously in London in 1818 when she was only 20, with her name appearing for the first time in the second edition, published in Paris in 1821.

The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature through an unorthodox experiment—assembling it from different body parts. What begins as an ambitious pursuit of knowledge quickly becomes a haunting tale of responsibility, isolation, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. (Wikipedia/Barnes & Noble, 2025)

The Lasting Appeal of Frankenstein

For over two centuries, readers have been captivated by the dark atmosphere and moral questions at the heart of Shelley’s masterpiece. Themes of creator vs. creation, knowledge vs. consequence, and the search for humanity make Frankenstein a timeless story.

Its influence spans both Gothic and science fiction traditions, inspiring countless adaptations—from early silent films to Universal’s iconic monster movies, and modern reimaginings that explore empathy, fear, and morality in new ways.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025)

The fascination with Frankenstein continues today with acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming adaptation. His 2025 American Gothic science fiction film is based directly on Mary Shelley’s original novel and features a star-studded cast:

Oscar Isaac
Jacob Elordi
Mia Goth
Felix Kammerer
Lars Mikkelsen
David Bradley
Lauren Collins
Charles Dance
Christoph Waltz

The film had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025. It is set for a limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025, followed by a global Netflix release on November 7, 2025. (IMDb, 2025)

A Tale That Endures

At its core, Frankenstein is the story of a brilliant but egotistical scientist who dares to play God—only to unleash a tragic chain of events. The novel’s haunting exploration of ambition and its consequences continues to resonate, making it as relevant in 2025 as it was in 1818.

With del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation, a new generation of audiences will experience the enduring power of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece—proof that Frankenstein is far more than just a monster story.

The Allure of Cozy Mysteries: Spotlight on ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman is now a Netflix movie. Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Charm of Cozy Mysteries

Cozy mystery books offer readers a delightful escape into charming worlds filled with intrigue but softened by warmth and comfort. Unlike darker crime novels, cozies balance suspense with lighthearted settings—small towns, bookshops, bakeries, or quaint villages—where everyday life continues even amid mystery.

Their appeal lies in clever puzzles, quirky characters, and the absence of graphic violence, allowing readers to enjoy the thrill of solving a crime without the heaviness. Often featuring amateur sleuths, cozy mysteries invite readers to feel part of the investigation. They’re the perfect blend of relaxation and mental challenge, making them irresistible comfort reads.

Spotlight: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

One of the most popular cozy mysteries in recent years is The Thursday Murder Club, the first installment in Richard Osman’s bestselling series.

Here’s the setup:

Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves
A female cop tackling her first big case
A brutal murder
And a retirement village with secrets to spare

In a peaceful retirement community, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes. Together, they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.

When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph beside the body, the group suddenly finds themselves facing their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, the unorthodox but brilliant gang must race to catch the killer—before it’s too late.

From Page to Screen

The Thursday Murder Club is now a Netflix film, directed by Chris Columbus with a screenplay by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. The star-studded cast includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie.

The story follows four irrepressible retirees who spend their days solving cold cases for fun, only to stumble into a real whodunit. With its blend of humor, heart, and suspense, the adaptation brings the cozy mystery spirit to life on screen.

About the Author

Richard Osman is an author, producer, and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club was his debut novel, and it quickly became a New York Times bestseller.

Beyond writing, Osman is well known for his work on TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As creative director of Endemol UK, he has worked on popular programs such as Deal or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular face on panel shows like Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You, and Taskmaster.

✨ Cozy mysteries like The Thursday Murder Club prove that crime-solving can be clever, funny, and comforting all at once. If you’re looking for a mystery that keeps you guessing while wrapping you in charm, this series is the perfect place to start.

From Haunted Houses to Last Rites: The Legacy of The Conjuring Universe

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 Rites closes 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?

Brendan Fehr Stars in ‘Kill Me Again,’ a Twisted Sci-Fi Horror from Keith Jardine

Keith Jardine’s Kill Me Again. Photo: Vertical

Vertical Acquires Keith Jardine’s Time-Loop Thriller “Kill Me Again” — Set for August 2025 Release

Los Angeles, CA – Vertical has secured distribution rights for writer/director Keith Jardine’s hybrid psychological sci-fi horror film Kill Me Again across North America, UK/Ireland, and Australia/New Zealand. The film will premiere in select theaters and On Demand on August 8, 2025. (Bolte Media, 2025)

Starring Brendan Fehr (Roswell, Final Destination), Raoul Max Trujillo (Dark Winds, Mayans M.C.), and Majandra Delfino (Roswell, Friends with Better Lives), Kill Me Again puts a chilling twist on the time-loop trope.

🔪 About the Film

In Kill Me Again, Charlie (Fehr) — a notorious serial killer infamously dubbed The Midnight Mangler — finds himself trapped in a violent time loop, reliving the same bloody night at a desolate roadside diner. At first, Charlie indulges in his deadly instincts, but as the bodies pile up and his grip on reality slips, he becomes desperate to break free from the endless cycle.

“This movie started for me when I began thinking about our obsession with true crime and how, in that medium, the villains, in a way, become the heroes. It’s a guilty pleasure we share, and I wanted to exploit that on screen. Brendan Fehr is masterful and really pulled off what seemed impossible. I’m so grateful to share this.”
— Keith Jardine, Writer/Director

🎥 A Dark, Genre-Bending Ride

“Keith has crafted a fantastic new take on the time loop film. By putting a villainous character at the center, he’s subverted expectations and will take genre audiences on a chaotic and entertaining ride. We look forward to presenting the film to audiences this summer.”
— Tony Piantedosi, SVP of Acquisitions, Vertical

Kill Me Again was produced by Jardine alongside Juergen Heinemann (also the film’s cinematographer), Heath Hensley, Mark Steinig, Tara Tovarek, and Darren White. Todd Spradlin served as co-producer. Additional crew includes Kevin Hale (Shadow Force) as editor and Jaden Price as costume designer.

🎬 About Keith Jardine

Best known for his fearless career as a UFC fighter, Keith Jardine has emerged as a bold voice in film and television. After appearances in major productions like Inherent Vice, John Wick, Love Lies Bleeding, and Copshop, Jardine turned his creative energy to storytelling behind the camera.

His directorial debut, the award-winning short El Paso 11:55, earned accolades at four Academy-qualifying festivals. With Kill Me Again, Jardine cements himself as a rising filmmaker, blending psychological horror and sci-fi with a fresh and unsettling edge.

Upcoming projects include The Edge of Normal and Over Your Dead Body, where he stars alongside Jason Segel and Samara Weaving.

🏛️ About Vertical

Founded in 2012, Vertical is a globally recognized independent distributor specializing in film releases across theatrical, digital, and streaming platforms. With a full-service approach to marketing, sales, and distribution, Vertical continues to champion original storytelling and elevate independent cinema.

Stay tuned for the release of Kill Me Again — a time-loop thriller that dares to ask: What happens when the monster can’t stop being a monster?

In theaters and On Demand August 8, 2025.

Blood, Grit, and Glory: Bloodstorm Featuring Viking Samurai

Survival/martial arts action movie Bloodstorm starring David Kurzhal. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Grit and Glory of Survival Martial Arts Movies

Survival martial arts movies captivate audiences with their high-stakes action, physical prowess, and raw human determination. These films blend intense combat with themes of endurance, resilience, and the will to overcome impossible odds.

Whether set in post-apocalyptic worlds, remote jungles, or brutal underground arenas, survival martial arts stories highlight the hero’s journey through both physical and emotional trials. The appeal lies in watching characters adapt, fight, and grow stronger with each challenge.

For many moviegoers, these films offer both escapist thrill and inspiration, celebrating the primal fight for life and the strength found in discipline, courage, and self-reliance.

Now Available: Bloodstorm

Bloodstorm — a gripping new survival martial arts movie — is now available on digital, on demand, and DVD in the US and Canada. Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime Video. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

Surrounded by killers, mercy is not an option.

Film Credits:

Written by: Rene Perez & Barry Massoni
Directed by: Rene Perez
Starring:
- David Kurzhal (a.k.a. Viking Samurai)
- Michael Nesto
- Michael Paré (The Virgin Suicides, The Lincoln Lawyer)
- Richard Tyson (Kindergarten Cop, There’s Something About Mary)

Plot Synopsis:

During a transfer to a remote prison island, a determined young policewoman and a deadly inmate are caught in the middle of a violent prison break. Forced to rely on each other, they must fight through chaos to survive.

Fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme will love this fast-paced, adrenaline-charged action flick.

*Bloodstorm* still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Coming Soon: David Kurzhal vs. Sugar Shane Mosley

David Kurzhal, also known as Viking Samurai and star of The Last Kumite, is stepping into the ring in a high-profile showdown.

Fight Date: July 25, 2025
Location: O2 Arena, London
Opponent: Boxing icon Sugar Shane Mosley
Streaming Audience: Expected to exceed 6 million viewers

🥊 [Click here for event info]

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