I don’t want to hear one more person say, “It’s still summer!” anymore.
It’s September, and the spooky season is in full swing, bringing a lively mix of festivities! Pumpkin spice everything is hitting stores everywhere, from coffee shops to snack aisles. The mornings are also cooling down, with the air becoming crisper and more refreshing.
September also marks a special occasion for horror fans: the start of Shudder’s “Season of Screams” programming, celebrating a decade of their dedication to the horror genre.
This event not only highlights their 10 years of streaming spine-chilling content, but it also unveils a lineup of thrilling new additions coming to the platform. One highlight I eagerly anticipate is their latest rendition of The Ghoul Log, a beloved annual tradition that captures the spirit of the season.
But that’s not all — Shudder is also releasing a wide range of new original content, including a new slasher called Night of the Reaper.
Written and directed by Brandon Christensen, the film begins with a familiar scene: a babysitter tucking the kids into bed, then getting ready to pop popcorn and sip Coca-Cola while listening to music. Outside in the shadows, someone is watching her, but who?
Then we fast forward to introduce Deena (Jessica Clement), a college student visiting her hometown. She takes a last-minute babysitting job for the local sheriff (Ryan Robbins) and she encounters the same eerie events as the babysitter from the beginning of the movie. At the same time, we get glimpses into the sheriff’s timeline as he receives a series of snuff tapes showing the killer’s work. It’s very Sinister-like. So, while the sheriff tries to identify the murderer, we switch back and forth between that and Deena’s timeline.
The performances all around are solid. Jessica Clement as Deena seemed like an odd choice to me at first, but she shines in the second half of the film. Even though it didn’t make sense to me at first, there’s a reason for her somber acting in the beginning.
But where this movie truly excels is its vibe. It has the perfect atmosphere for Halloween, reminding me of Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021) meets Scream 4 (2011). The town displays plenty of vintage Halloween decorations from the ’80s and is filled with fall colors. Add a synthesizer soundtrack (which it does), and I’m all in. There’s also glitchy VHS footage during the opening credits — the cherry on top!
The pacing of the first two-thirds of the movie is well-executed. The tension is gradually building as the sheriff carefully gathers the tapes, each more disturbing than the last. The recordings are nearly as gruesome as the Sinister ones, featuring unsettling visuals. Yet, they still don’t quite reach the same level of horror and visceral impact, which is forgivable given the tension already developing in the story.
The killer’s outfit and mask are nothing new: a black suit paired with a skeleton mask. The suit resembles Ghostface, creating a mysterious and ominous vibe. The skeleton mask features bone-like patterns, giving it a creepy, chilling look. Neat, but not original, whatsoever.
I was mostly locked in… that is, until the killer’s twist and reveal. It was so shocking that I had to rewind the movie three times to catch what I missed. I felt the same way with Heart Eyes (2025), too. The reveal is so unexpected and far-fetched that it left me extremely confused. I even rewound the entire film to find this character. I wondered if I had dozed off and missed something, puzzled by it.
Despite the sudden derailment, the final act unfolds at an exciting pace that kept me on the edge of my seat. The villain delivers an excellent, sinister performance, showcasing a compelling combination of menace and wit. There are also some cool practical effects and gore that make an appearance, enhancing the intensity of the scenes and making the action more visceral.
Overall, this story felt very familiar. If you’re a slasher fan, you’ve seen this movie countless times, with familiar tropes and predictable twists. This movie has a lot of potential, not to mention a fantastic poster!
Yet, I do enjoy the Halloween atmosphere and cozy, autumnal vibe that’s beautifully captured, evoking feelings of crisp air, falling leaves and festive spirit.
Is it worth your time? Sure. I’m a big slasher fan and love catching new content, especially around Halloween. There was enough intrigue and tension in Night of the Reaper, and I enjoyed it. It makes for an easy watch during a weeknight.
I rate Night of the Reaper two and a half out of five stars, right down the middle. You can tell that Christensen is a horror fan of slashers through and through. There are plenty of parts that feel reminiscent of Halloween, When A Stranger Calls and Scream.
I want to remind you to give Night of the Reaper some grace and remember it’s a low-budget film. Despite its limitations, such as basic special effects and modest sets, it manages to deliver some genuinely creepy moments that effectively build suspense and fear. The film also showcases the passion, ingenuity and resourcefulness of indie filmmakers working within tight constraints. Supporting movies like this can help foster innovation, growth and diversity within the indie horror genre, encouraging more unique and original stories to be told.
As we gear up for Halloween, it’s the perfect time to curate your spooky watchlist. Don’t miss out on these thrilling Shudder originals. Some exciting titles coming soon include V/H/S/Halloween, a chilling installment in the horror anthology series; Hell House LLC: Lineage, a suspenseful sequel exploring the haunted history of the infamous hotel; and House on Eden, a sinister tale of a haunted house with dark secrets.
In the meantime, you’ll catch me lighting a cozy pumpkin-scented candle and pouring a cold, refreshing pumpkin ale. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year!