Hell of a Summer, directed by Billy Bryk and Finn Wolfhard, offers a familiar blend of slasher horror and comedy with a modern twist. The film centers on Jason Hochberg, a 24-year-old camp counselor who feels out of sync with his younger colleagues at Camp Pineway. However, his sense of disconnection soon takes a backseat when a masked killer starts picking off the counselors, leading to a tense, bloody showdown in the woods.
Read MoreSynthesize Me (2025) #SXSW
In Synthesize Me, director Bear Damen crafts an intimate and haunting tale of grief, memory, and connection through music. Set in April 1989 in a liminal town near Mexico City, the short film follows young teenager Violeta as she attempts to bring her late mother’s synthesizers back to life—only to unleash disastrous consequences for both her and her father. Delivered in a visually striking 4:3 aspect ratio, Synthesize Me feels both classic and timeless, immersing viewers in its vintage aesthetic while maintaining an emotional core that is deeply resonant.
Read MoreShucks (2017)
Ty Brueilly’s debut film, Shucks, is an ambitious and surreal experience that challenges conventional storytelling through its experimental approach. Originally released in 2017, this black-and-white silent short film has recently gained renewed attention, thanks to the growing popularity of its ever-expanding lore. With ten sequels already released and three more in various stages of production, the Shucks universe has clearly struck a chord with audiences.
Read MoreThe Damned (2024)
Maritime folk stories and sea-fairing tales have long been a fascination of mine, especially adventure classics like Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” or Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” But Robert Egger’s 2019 nautical nightmare “The Lighthouse” has seemed to bring horror back into the ocean's shores. Here we have “The Damned,” an Irish and Icelandic period film that drips with salty terror and dread onto a fishing outpost in Iceland in the 1800s.
Read MorePeter Pan's Neverland Nightmare (2025)
Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare is a bold and macabre reimagining of J.M. Barrie’s beloved tale, directed and written by Scott Jeffrey, who continues to redefine public domain stories in the horror genre. As the third installment in The Twisted Childhood Universe, the 2025 British independent film expands the series’ trademark style with a darkly creative and unsettling take on Peter Pan. With standout performances, commendable production values, and a uniquely twisted narrative, the film delivers a compelling experience for horror fans.
Read MoreNosferatu (2024)
For my money, Robert Eggers is one of the best filmmakers working today. The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman are all masterpieces. When it was announced that his next film would be a reimagining of F.W. Murnau’s iconic silent Expressionist Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror from 1922, I was instantly intrigued, despite my general distaste for remakes.
Read MoreSolvent (2024) #NightmaresFF
One of the most unique films to arise out of the pandemic was Johannes Grenzfurthner’s Masking Threshold. Showcasing how far a solid premise and low-budget inventiveness can be taken when wielded by an artist confident in their vision, I was completely taken with the flick’s atypical presentation. The Austrian multi-hyphenate filmmaker’s latest, Solvent, is making the rounds on the festival circuit now, and I was able to take a look at it this past weekend.
Read MoreWitte Wieven (2024) #FantasticFest
Witte Wieven is an atmospheric dive into gothic horror, a film that thrives on tension and mystery while delivering striking visuals. Set in a small Dutch village during the Dark Ages, the story centers on Frieda, a woman burdened with the blame for her inability to conceive. After narrowly escaping an assault by the local butcher, who mysteriously vanishes in the forest, Frieda’s safe return raises suspicions.
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