Prepare yourselves for an electrifying journey through the eerie corridors of the supernatural. 

This month, I’m delving into a spine-tingling lineup that promises to thrill and chill in equal measure. 

From the enigmatic realms of astral projection to the spectral whispers of vengeful ghosts, and even a bone-chilling encounter with alligators, you’re in for a wild and wicked ride. 

Oh, and let’s not forget the mysterious embalmed hand that unleashes a Pandora’s box of terror. 

So, fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves for a blood-curdling adventure that will have you clutching the edge of your seat in terror. 

It’s time to explore the shadowy depths of July’s horror offerings.

INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR – UNVEILING THE NIGHTMARE CONTINUUM

Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth installment of the acclaimed Insidious franchise, follows in the footsteps of its revered predecessor, the 2010 horror classic – one of my favorite films.

Known for its groundbreaking exploration of astral projection, the original Insidious captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling and well-developed characters.

Now, as the latest entry in the franchise, Insidious: The Red Door faces the daunting task of surpassing its predecessor’s legacy. 

While it remains to be seen if it can reach the same heights, even if it achieves half the greatness of the original, it will undoubtedly satisfy fans of the series.

So here’s the setup. A decade has passed since Josh and his son, Dalton, have escaped the clutches of the Further, the harrowing realm where the living and the demonic coexist. 

In Insidious: The Red Door, their lives have taken a dark turn. Josh is now separated from his family after a painful divorce. 

Meanwhile, Dalton, now on the cusp of adulthood, is preparing to embark on his college journey. Yet, the haunting memories of their past encounters with the Further continue to linger, and they must confront their inner demons to find peace and closure.

It comes out on July 7 in theaters.

BIRDBOX BARCELONA: A TERRIFYING SPANISH THRILLER IN A DYSTOPIAN WORLD

Based on the 2014 post-apocalyptic horror novel by Josh Malerman, this Spanish horror thriller Birdbox Barcelona takes us on a suspenseful journey that explores the harrowing experiences of those who struggle with the unseen misery that plagues them.

While you may recall Malorie Hayes’ intense struggle for survival in the original Birdbox, Birdbox Barcelona is not a spin-off but rather another chilling story set in the same timeline, shedding light on the plight of another individual grappling with the unimaginable horrors of an unseen presence.

In this film, looking at the mysterious entities that have invaded the world proves fatal. The consequences are unknown, but they drive anyone who lays eyes upon them to the point of self-destruction. To survive, everyone must navigate their surroundings with blindfolds, even though sight is the most vital sense of all.

Follow the story of a father and daughter, as they join forces with others in a quest for survival in a dystopian future where these malevolent entities roam freely, posing an imminent threat to humanity.

This Spanish horror thriller brings a fresh and chilling take on the genre, infusing it with the distinct flavor of Barcelona. 

It comes out on July 14 on Netflix.

THE FLOOD: A WILD BATTLE FOR SURVIVIAL IN THE DEPTHS OF LOUISIANA

This old-fashioned horror tale – The Flood – takes us into the heart of Louisiana, where an intense and brutal clash unfolds between prisoners and guards vs. alligators. Personally, I’m rooting for the alligators. 

It sounds like a thrilling ride where survival is the ultimate goal, and the line between predator and prey becomes blurred in a twisted game of life and death. These kinds of films can be a lot of fun even if they aren’t very complex.

Here we have prisoners in a Louisiana jail who make a break for it during a horrible storm that unleashes the gators who apparently haven’t had lunch yet. 

I’m assuming that as the characters navigate the treacherous swampy jail caused by the flood, the looming threat of the alligators amplifies the tension, drawing audiences into the heart of the horror.

The Flood promises to be a wild and thrilling horror experience that celebrates the raw intensity of old-fashioned storytelling. 

With its relentless action, intense atmosphere, and unrelenting battle for survival, this film may offer a gritty and visceral journey that horror enthusiasts will embrace. 

Go Gators!

It comes out on July 14 in theaters.

COBWEB: FAMILY SECRETS UNLEASH TERRIFYING NIGHTMARES

Cobweb takes us into the lives of a bullied child and his harrowing encounters with an insidious presence lurking within the walls of their home. 

Eight-year-old Peter becomes the target of a relentless and mysterious tapping sound emanating from inside his bedroom wall. 

Despite his parents’ insistence that it’s merely a figment of his imagination, Peter’s fear intensifies as he becomes more disturbed by the incessant knocking that only he can hear. 

Of course, no one believes him, which is routinely used in horror films where only one person really knows the truth as he or she is completed alone and ostracized within that knowledge – a sheer horror if there ever was one.

But what is that strange knocking? Based on the trailer, I have a sneaking suspicion. But per usual, I reserve the right to be completely wrong – as I routinely am. I guess we’ll have to find out. 

It comes out on July 21 in theaters.
 

TALK TO ME: UNLEASHING THE SUPERNATURAL IN A TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER

With its recent preview screenings and world premiere at renowned film festivals, this 2022 Australian supernatural horror promises to deliver spine-chilling thrills that may keep audiences on the edge of their seats. 

In Talk to Me, we follow the journey of Mia, a young woman whose curiosity leads her to participate in a séance. 

Little does she know that this seemingly harmless act will have grave consequences. 

As Mia dares to grab hold of a mysterious embalmed hand during the séance, she unwittingly releases a dark and sinister entity upon herself. 

What initially appeared to be a harmless prank becomes a horrifying nightmare as Mia becomes entangled in a supernatural web that she never anticipated.

Mia’s story serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the allure of dabbling in the unknown.

Talk to Me explores the inherent dangers of delving into the supernatural realm without fully understanding the consequences. Exactly, this is why I don’t own an Ouija board. Can you imagine the trouble I’d get up to?

As Mia grapples with the aftermath of her ill-fated decision, she realizes her grave mistake and must confront the malevolence that now haunts her every move.

Good luck, Mia. Based on the trailer, it doesn’t sound like it turns out well for you. 

It comes out on July 28 in theaters. 

MY TOP HORROR PICKS

As we move further into July, we are in for a treat with a diverse lineup of chilling films to look forward to. From astral projection ghost stories to bone-chilling monster horrors, there’s something for every aficionado of the genre.

As I look over my watch list, my anticipation is heightened for the releases of Insidious: The Red Door and Talk to Me.

The thought of being transported into these spine-chilling worlds, experiencing the fear, suspense, and adrenaline that only the horror genre can provide, fills me with anticipation.

But now it’s time to turn the spotlight on you. 

Which of these upcoming horror films has piqued your interest? Will you venture into the astral dimension of Insidious: The Red Door, explore the unseen horrors of Birdbox Barcelona, or immerse yourself in the treacherous depths of The Flood? 

Perhaps you’re drawn to the gripping tale of Cobweb or the cautionary supernatural encounter of Talk to Me.

I invite you to share your thoughts and tell me which films you’re most excited about. Are there other horror films on your radar that we haven’t mentioned? 

So, whether you’re a fan of supernatural hauntings, psychological mind-benders, or gruesome creature features, there’s something for everyone.

So many times in supernatural horror stories, only one person knows the terrifying truth. The horror of being so alone with this stark, unsettling reality while everyone else thinks you’re lost to lunacy is perhaps the loneliest place in the world. 

Smile is an eloquent narration of a seemingly simple tale. While it maybe is cliché that a main character is tormented by the truth while those around find her unhinged, Smile managed to transcend familiar tropes, making me think about it long after I’d seen it.

Also, there’s a magic that happens when direction, performance, and script work so harmoniously. Smile combined all three elements well, a tribute to the skill and artistry that have gone into its planning and execution.

Despite earning resounding acclaim, the horror film Smile finally found a spot on my watchlist. When I eventually saw it, I was struck with an immediate regret for not having indulged sooner.

Unmasking the shadows

Smile appears to be about the war between sanity and psychosis while creating a unique tale of psychological terror. 

Smile presents us with Rose Cotter, a compassionate psychologist who routinely steps outside the confines of her professional obligations to help her patients, some of whom are truly disturbed. In one early scene, Rose facilitated treatment even though the patient was uninsured, which resulted in a reprimand from her superior. 

But then, a woman named Laura Weaver steps into Rose’s life, altering it completely. Laura is gripped by an unusual terror. Something – although Laura doesn’t know what – is hunting her. She sees a legion of faces, all grinning at her, pushing her to the edge of her sanity. 

When Rose tries to help Laura, it catapults her into a never-ending nightmare she can’t escape as she also starts to see it.

So what is Smile really about? For me, it’s telling that a psychologist is the main character here. It’s ironic then that she, of all people, is losing her mind. Slowly Rose turns from a confident and highly competent therapist into a former shadow of herself, all in less than four days. Instead of a healer, Rose becomes haunted as she too experiences what her patients do, which is to lose her mind over time.

Smile isn’t just about macabre terror, but rather a journey into the terrifying reality of mental decline.

At its core, Smile becomes a metaphor for the heartbreak and confusion accompanying loss of sanity as many older people worldwide find themselves experiencing as they age. Still, others with mental illnesses also experience that their minds slowly lose their moorings. This film offers a disturbing view into how a mind disintegrates over time.

For me, the film could also be interpreted as a statement about how trauma warps the mind, as many people with PTSD continue to suffer after a horrific experience that they can’t leave behind. 

The film also exploits our discomfort with excessive, inexplicable smiling. An unwarranted grin is unnerving, and Smile uses this all too human instinct to the fullest extent. It gives the uncanny valley feel throughout, where you know something is wrong but not exactly what. 

The directorial skill shines through with the inventive use of camera angles. By turning the frame upside down, the film creates the feeling of what it must be like to have your world turn upside down as you’re losing your ability to think clearly.

While I was watching it, I wondered how it would end. So many horror films start out well with a great idea but then cop out at the end as if no one knew how to finish it. But this film planned all the way to the end with a disturbing finale I didn’t see coming.  

Rose is in an impossible situation, and the suspense of her possible escape kept me wondering how she could find her way out.

But Rose also has a secret that the audience isn’t shown until later, which adds to her character’s complexity, further elevating Smile from a fun horror flick to a deeply disturbing psychological exploration about the loss of mental acuity.

Final Thoughts

Smile creates a well-crafted horror narrative, where each element compliments each other, creating a combination of anxiety, intrigue and fear.

With an ending that promises to invade your nightmares, Smile didn’t take the easy way out, but rather took a road that may etch itself into your mind for some time after you’ve watched it.

So, take a plunge into the dark depths of this film, and when you do, let me know what you think, as I always like to share ideas and observations.

Pinpointing why the original Evil Dead (1981) stands as a horror classic always seemed elusive to me. 

Its plot was straightforward enough: Five Michigan State University students – Ash, his girlfriend Linda, and their friends Cheryl, Scott, and Shelly – venture to a secluded cabin in the woods. 

There, they stumble upon the Necronomicon, an ancient book that, once read aloud, awakens a malevolent force known as the evil dead. 

This seemingly simple tale, however, was woven together with the right amount of pacing and presentation that now it’s considered a horror classic.

One of my favorite scenes in The Evil Dead is the opening sequence of menace and foreboding that lingers long after the credits roll. The camera’s journey, flying over a tranquil landscape of towering trees, painted an eerie picture of an unseen force. 

This sweeping shot, similar to a modern-day drone capture, let us all know about the impending horror that would soon enough befall the five college students.

When news broke of Evil Dead Rise, I knew I’d see it. It came out in theaters in April, but it just became available on Max. While it’s a departure from the original in many respects, it still remains true to its horror roots. 

Just as the original film did over four decades ago, Evil Dead Rise offers its own brand of chilling storytelling that horror enthusiasts may want to see.

Embracing the New, Respecting the Classic

As the latest installment in the Evil Dead film series, this 2023 supernatural horror splatterfest follows the story of sisters Beth and Ellie, according to the trailer.

Ellie is a single mom and tattoo artist raising three kids in a soon-to-be-demolished Los Angeles apartment complex, and Beth arrives to visit the family. 

Ellie’s teenage son Danny stumbles upon relics from 1923, and a peculiar book and record that unleashes the Deadites, demonic spirits that take over people’s bodies. Every one of the Deadites seems to be in perpetual bad moods, hellbent on killing everyone they come in contact with for reasons known only to them. 

So from here, let the blood begin. 

Evil Dead Rise is an unrelenting splatter fest, nearly from start to finish. Its scenes, at times, feature characters quite literally soaked in blood from head to toe where only their eyes poke through. 

This relentless thrill ride barely gives you a moment to catch your breath, so don’t expect deep character development. 

But what the film might lack in character depth, it makes up for with surprising plot twists. 

Just when you think there’s no way for the story to advance, it shocks you with a cleverly conceived pivot. 

In particular, I liked the opening scenes, which set a horrifying tone, with a classic cabin in the woods trope and morally ambiguous characters. The gore fest in these scenes set the stage for the rollercoaster of horror that follows.

Now, let’s talk about the Deadites. If you liked the franchise, which spans five films, including Evil Dead Rise, you will be thrilled to know that these demonic entities are back in full force and they are just as pissed off as ever. 

The makeup and special effects teams didn’t disappoint as they created some truly nightmarish visuals that creeped me out.

In this film, blood is a main character. Whether it’s spurting, spraying, or just ominously pooling, the copious amounts of blood featured in this film are a testament to the lengths Evil Dead Rise is willing to go to satiate its fans’ lust for horror.

Despite its breakneck pacing and frenzied horror, Evil Dead Rise weaves in some unexpected moments. 

Just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s going, it veers off in a surprising direction, ensuring that your attention never wavers.

Final Thoughts

What makes the beginning of Evil Dead Rise particularly impactful is its homage to the series’ roots with the opening scenes paying tribute to the iconic ‘cabin in the woods’ setting. 

In essence, Evil Dead Rise is a film designed for the horror aficionado who appreciates a blood-fest galore. 

If you like blood, guts, and gore, this film is for you. 

This latest addition to the Evil Dead series leaves nothing on the table.

So, buckle up, and prepare yourself for a wild ride that will rattle you to the bone. 

Upon encountering the film Influencer, I wasn’t super stoked. At first glance, I thought the film, now streaming on horror platform, Shudder, would be on my watch list since it lacked the supernatural undertones that usually draw me to horror films. 

Then there was the title – hmm, didn’t say much to me.

In some respects, it resembled The Rental, a flick without any menacing ghosts or malevolent ghouls and a title that uninspired me. However, that thriller was unexpectedly enjoyable, which persuaded me to consider Influencer with a more open mind.

Influencer was not just a psychological thriller but a maze of convoluted twists and turns. Interestingly, the story comes from the antagonist’s point of view, allowing us to witness her plan unfold. I watched and wondered about her next calculated move as she got more bogged down with unexpected obstacles.

Why Influencer probably deserves to be on your watchlist will be explored in the subsequent paragraphs, ensuring a spoiler-free discourse for those yet to experience this intriguing feature.

The Dark Side of Social Media Stardom

Influencer begins with Madison, a social media influencer whose brightness might not match her popularity, and whose self-esteem seems to be precariously balanced. 

Upset by an unexpected disappointment when her boyfriend, Ryan, leaves her stranded ahead of a much-anticipated vacation to Thailand, Madison decides to venture out solo.

In Thailand, Madison meets CW, a charismatic young woman who appears to be an ideal companion. 

Madison’s journey gets more complicated upon pairing up with CW, but she doesn’t know it yet.

While CW appears to be the perfect friend, Madison is drawn into more danger, but she doesn’t seem to see signs as much as she should and brushes them off.

Influencer employs a slow-burn approach to story-building. The opening scene offers a tantalizing hint of the malevolence yet to unfold. While watching it, I kept thinking back to that opening scene as I saw Madison hopping around Thailand without much intrigue. I knew sooner or later that one scene would prove pivotal, so it kept my attention. 

Remember that familiar saying: “Appearances can be deceiving.” The film takes this theme and weaves it through the story all the way to the end. By using the world of social media, where so much is just smoke and mirrors, this lesson is demonstrated in how Madison and CW’s carefully curated personas are nothing but a ruse. 

Madison and CW are both disguised behind their projected identities that sharply contrast against their outward appearances at times. Both are deceiving in their own ways, displayed most obviously at the film’s end. 

Influencer is a lesson that you can’t judge everything by outward appearances because the truth hides within us all and those who take such a simplistic approach are doomed to pay a high price. 

Between Friendships and Fear

Influencer gives us a nuanced portrayal of the relationship between Madison and CW that on the surface, seems rather superficial, but it has been well thought out in the film. 

Initially, one could easily believe that Madison’s character is mere decoration against the strong-willed and enigmatic CW.  However, the film delves into Madison’s character, which doesn’t readily reveal itself, although hints of her true nature are sprinkled throughout.

One of the movie’s most potent scenes unfolds on a beautiful Thai beach when CW momentarily breaks character telling a chilling tale that Madison refuses to believe. 

The CW character deserves special mention here as she managed a delicate balance. She easily moves between the superficial charm and darker elements of her personality.

The relationship between Madison and CW isn’t what it seems as it’s disguised, even to the audience. 

Final Thoughts

Influencer looks at the perplexing dance between truth and deception when the veil is lifted. It makes us question what we see and hear as truth, especially in the digital landscape that’s portrayed just for our benefit much of the time. 

I was particularly struck by the choice to focus on CW, whose personality leaves much to be desired. It’s a daring move to spotlight such a morally bereft character.

Once you’ve immersed yourself in the deceptive tranquility and unfolding horrors of Influencer, do share your thoughts with me. 

It’s always fascinating to delve deeper into these complex narratives, and your perspective would certainly add another layer to this intriguing cinematic experience.

Get ready to mark your calendars! June is set to be an epic month for horror movie releases. 

From evil to the edgy, paranoid to paranormal, you find something to satisfy your horror fix. 

No matter if you’re drawn in by classic horror scares or hoping for a new, chilling romp, this summer is poised to deliver a terrifying, filmatic thrill ride.

Let’s delve into these films and find out why June looks like a summer of screams. 

Here’s a list of horror films I’ll likely see and why. 

The Boogeyman (June 2 – Theaters)

Based on a Stephen King short story, The Boogeyman is about high school student Sadie and her younger sister Sawyer who are dealing with the recent death of their mother. Their depressed father, Will, a therapist, is so depressed from his wife’s death that he’s unable to function, even for the sake of his girls.

If that isn’t bad enough, one of Dad’s patients unexpectedly shows up at their home – and it gets worse – this patient unleashes an evil entity that feeds off of the family’s misery. 

The Boogeyman sounds like a horrifying combination of psychological and supernatural horror that explores the fallout of a family in the depths of despair. 

It’s likely to be an excellent film simply because it was not scheduled for a theatrical debut. According to a Gizmodo article, it was slated for a streaming release on Hulu. But positive test screenings led it to be released on the big screen, a choice that only amplifies the anticipation surrounding this film. 

Not only that, it’s directed by Rob Savage, who led the 2020 horror film Host, one of that year’s best, in my opinion, and it’s been brought to life by the writing team Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, and Mark Heyman.

This horror film could be the summer’s best. 

Brooklyn 45 (June 9 – Shudder)

The title doesn’t sound like a horror film, but Brooklyn 45, brought to us by horror streaming platform, Shudder, is a supernatural thriller set in a Brooklyn brownstone at the end of World War II. 

According to the trailer, four friends come together to comfort another friend, who is dealing with the grief of his wife’s recent suicide, just six weeks ago, so of course, somebody suggests they hold a séance where a supernatural presence emerges and won’t let them leave the room. 

It purported to be a slow-burning horror film that instills fear during a gritty time in American history – the 1940s. We don’t see many horror films set in this time or space, which already sets this film apart. 

But that’s not the only interesting part of this film. Inverse reports that the film’s director Ted Geoghegan wrote the screenplay with his father, an air force veteran who has since passed away. The pair likely penned a film that captured the historical nature of the time that most of us can never truly understand.

Horror Fuel reports it’s coming to Shudder on June 9.

Jagged Mind (June 15 – Hulu)

A new horror film from director Kelley Kali, Jagged Mind, produced by 20th Digital Studio and Hulu Originals, streams exclusively on Hulu starting June 15, according to Variety Magazine

The story revolves around Billie, a woman plagued by inexplicable blackouts and bizarre visions. She soon comes to believe she’s trapped in a series of time loops that begin after she meets her new, mysterious girlfriend.

With a unique and compelling plot and interesting characters, Jagged Mind may stand out among this year’s horror summer offerings. 

The Blackening (June 16 – Theaters) 

So, mark your calendars and ready yourself for an unusual Juneteenth weekend with The Blackening. 

If you like horror and comedy, this film is for you. Director Tim Story, known for his work in Think Like A Man and Barbershop, brings us The Blackening, where, according to the trailer, a group of Black friends reunites for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, but their happy vacation takes a wrong turn when they find themselves in the crosshairs of a sadistic killer in a remote cabin, who insists they play a deadly game together. 

So if you like horror, comedy, or both, this film looks like it will in equal measure amuse, horrify and make us think as this group of friends fight for survival in a game they never expected to play.

Unwelcome (June 23 – Shudder)

This horror tale follows Maya and Jamie, a couple looking to get away from the hustle of city life. Little did they know, they were trading one nightmare for another.

Saying goodbye to urban chaos, the couple finds themselves enraptured with the beauty of the Irish countryside, but it doesn’t last long as they soon realize there’s a disturbing presence lurking in the ancient forest that borders their newfound home.

Unwelcome juxtaposes the serenity of rural life with sheer terror, turning an idyllic retreat into a chilling fight for survival. Maya and Jamie uncover a horrifying truth that in their idyllic Garden of Eden hides monstrous predators. Staying alive against the evil I the forest forms the crux of this terrifying story.

Based on the trailer, the film warns against disturbing that which is better left undisturbed and that sometimes evil lurk even in some of the most beautiful of places.

Run Rabbit Run (June 28 – Netflix)

Directed by Daina Reid, Run Rabbit Run closes the month on a high note, bringing a fresh twist about the creepy kid horror trope. 

 According to the trailer, divorced mom Sarah, a fertility treatment doctor, notices her 7-year-old daughter, Mia, is exhibiting some disturbing behavior. She claims she’s Sarah’s dead sister, Alice, who also died at seven years old – and that is never good. 

Run Rabbit Run is a 2023 Australian psychological horror film that first greeted audiences at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, according to USA Today. 

It stars Sarah Snook, known for her time-bending role in HBO’s Succession, alongside Lily LaTorre, Damon Herriman and Greta Scacchi. 

Based on the trailer, I have a strong suspicion of where this story will go, so I’m interested in seeing if I’m right. We’ll see. 

Final Thoughts

June promises to be a thrilling month for horror fanatics. The spectrum of fear explored in this month’s releases is broad and wonderfully diverse, keeping the adrenaline high and the nerves on edge. 

From the disturbing story set up in The Boogeyman to the creepy kid terror of Run Rabbit Run, there’s a plate of horror for everyone.

I find myself particularly drawn to the quiet, atmospheric terror of Brooklyn 45, but I’m partial to seances, so maybe that’s why.

Yet, I’m equally excited to see the unnerving depiction of childhood fear in The Boogeyman. Childhood fears never die as they are deeply embedded in our minds, always waiting to be resurrected, so it’s interesting to see how filmmakers bring these out.

There’s much to look forward to this June – a plate of terror and a side of suspense just waiting to be devoured. 

Let me know what interests you most, seeing as I’d like to hear from other horror-philes.