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9 Torture Devices that Should be in Horror Movies

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Torture equipment has been around for centuries. Devices were built to do extreme psychological harm as well as painful physical damage by way of slow, deliberate bloodshed. Believe it or not, torture is still used today although it is against the Geneva Convention and every human rights campaign. Torture was used to punish, interrogate, coerce and kill people who disobeyed laws, or were detractors of popular religious beliefs of the time.

Classic horror movies use a variety weapons to dispatch victims. But below are some devices that could be incorporated into future horror movies. Modern times allows movie’s special effects departments to figure out ways to slaughter people in fantasy, keeping the carnage where it belongs; in fiction.

Breast Ripper: The Breast Ripper was a device used on adulterous women, the end was heated by fire, and then each claw pierced the soft tissue, spreading apart the flesh to tear and shred the breast away from the body.

The Breast Ripper

 

Knee Splitter: The Spanish Inquisition was a popular time when a lot of torture devices were used. The Knee Splitter was a wooden frame that had a number of spikes in a vice-like contraption. The spikes were placed in front of, and behind the knee. Once the legs were in place the torturer would crank the spikes down on the leg until they pierced the skin and splintered, crushed and eviscerated the bone and soft tissue.

The Knee Splitter

 

The Judas Cradle: This device had victims sit atop a large wooden pyramid shaped tower. The end of the pyramid would be inserted into the anus or vagina and the victim was slowly lowered until the end penetrated through the intended orifice. This would cause internal damage, ripping apart tissue and muscle, leaving the victim to die of infection or impalement.

Have a seat!

The Judas Cradle

 

Heretic’s Fork: This two-ended skewer contained forks on each end of the device. One end was placed on the chest bone while the other was positioned under the chin. The goal was to have the sharp metal prongs pierce the underside of the jaw and skewer the tongue and mouth if the victims head dropped from exhaustion.

Heretic’s Fork

 

Spanish Donkey: This saw-horse shaped device contained a large triangular board, sometimes with small spikes attached to the top two sides of the A-shape frame. The victim was then to sit atop the edge and was often paraded around town. The damage to genitalia was extremely messy.

The Spanish Donkey

 

The Pear of Anguish: This device seems to be the precursor to the alien anal probe. It had a smooth bulbous end which was inserted into the anus, vagina or mouth. It was then cranked in order to “bloom” the pear inside the body where sharp edges and metal pedals would rupture the delicate insides of the human anatomy.

The Pear of Anguish

 

The Scavengers Daughter: During the reign of Henry the VIII, the Scavengers Daughter was a popular torment. A large metal hoop was used to encase the victim at the knees and back. Slowly the device was tightened in order to squeeze the person until blood flowed from the mouth, nose and other orifices.

The Scavenger’s Daughter

 

The Iron Maiden: This mythical device is reported to have never been actually used. It is said that device was constructed from other items and put on display for pure entertainment. Either way, the device is terrifying. A person would stand in an iron cabinet with large metal spikes lining the back of the device and on the inside of the front door. As the victim stood inside the Maiden, the door was closed, forcing the individual to step back and impale himself while the spikes penetrated him from the front. Some variations of the device have a head piece that contains two large metal spikes positioned at eye-level, when this head is closed, the spikes pierce into the skull through the eye sockets.

The Iron Maiden

 

The Saw: The Middle Ages didn’t need elaborate contraptions like The Iron Maiden to execute people. Often, innovations were merely a workshop away. Take The Saw for instance, this device strung people upside down with ropes as the persecutors utilized a giant saw to bisect the victim down the middle.

 

The Saw

Although torture was a very real aspect of our history, today we can allow horror movies to reveal the brutal truths of our human nature. Violence may always be a part of the experience, but we as horror movie fans understand the difference between art and reality. If history shows us anything, it is how much we have evolved and become more civilized. We can enjoy the terror of bloodshed in the form of fiction and fantasy, rather than perpetuate the atrocities of our ancestors. It is comforting to know that the above 9 devices can now be appreciated by way of a special effects prop department, rather than their intended use in the real world.

 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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