psychological manipulation Archives

A24’s Heretic: A Wickedly Clever Sermon from Heaven or Hell?

The year 2024 has emerged as a significant period for religious horror. Notable films such as Immaculate and The First Omen exhibit several parallels, particularly in their explorations of a familiar narrative: the impending arrival of the Antichrist. As a… Continue Reading →

Trauma Terrorizes a Pop-Music Prima Donna in Smile 2

How do you top a sleeper hit featuring the slow-burn psychological terrors of an unseen antagonist, haunting and wrecking the lives of its victims to the point that death is their only escape route? You focus your franchise on a… Continue Reading →

October 17, 2024

The Penguin is the Most Compelling Character on TV Today

The Penguin is one of Batman’s most underrated villains, and it’s honestly a shame that he doesn’t get more recognition. While villains like Joker and Bane grab all the attention, Oswald Cobblepot brings a unique blend of intellect, sophistication and… Continue Reading →

October 15, 2024

Uzumaki Spirals into Animated Horrors

The Spooky Season often takes me to destinations I might not ordinarily visit, and I usually appreciate the journey. Now that October has arrived, it’s time to finally get into the Halloween spirit with something strange. Via its Toonami late-night… Continue Reading →

October 4, 2024

Catch a Killer Debuts at the 55th Nashville Film Festival

Film noir, a genre that emerged in the 1940s, remains a beloved staple of cinematic storytelling, captivating audiences with its moody atmospheres, moral ambiguity and intricate plots. Rooted in post-war disillusionment, films like The Maltese Falcon (1941) established noir’s signature… Continue Reading →

September 23, 2024

A King Like Me Offers a Beacon of Hope at the 55th Nashville Film Festival

Man in ornate costume with crown and scepter.

It’s late summer here in Nashville, Tennessee, and that brings a few things to mind. It’s the final stretch for enjoying a summer getaway. It also means the little one is back in school, taking steps toward greater independence from… Continue Reading →

September 16, 2024

Speak No Evil: A Movie for the Casual Horror Fan

Going out of your way to avoid offending someone is something everyone has done at some point. Speak No Evil (2024) delves expertly into the complex and profound ramifications of prioritizing the comfort of others over oneself, shedding light on… Continue Reading →

September 12, 2024

I always approach A24 films cautiously. While most of the movies from the studio offer an experimental approach, sometimes the themes leave me feeling a certain type of undesirable way. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely appreciate this level of… Continue Reading →

August 3, 2024

Crazy Cage Gets Satanic in Longlegs

Nicolas Cage has seemingly taken the long road through Hollywood. Born into the Coppola family, his on-screen presence found footing within the early ’80s and skyrocketed to an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1995, but his career shifted into… Continue Reading →

July 9, 2024

Chapter 1 Reintroduces The Strangers’ Horrors

Navigating prequels can be a tricky business venture. On one hand, you’re dealing with already-established characters, while placing them in new situations. Their audience awareness was high enough that a production company decided to invest more money into telling their… Continue Reading →

May 24, 2024

Geek Culture, Zombies... and Other Monsters

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