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BOOKS: Duncan Swan’s Terrifying ‘Monstre: Volume One’ is Out Today

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Monstre: Volume One

“People think evil is easy to spot. They think of evil and imagine a monster. They imagine the Devil with horns, something obvious and identifiable. But sometimes evil looks just like the kid next door.”–Duncan Swan, Monster” Volume One

Duncan Swan’s terrifying novel, Monstre: Volume One, is out today. The compelling, often gut-wrenching novel marks Swan’s debut, and sets him apart as author to watch.

Set in the present, the novel begins at the CERN lab in Sweden where a sudden and inexplicable explosion occurs. In the fallout of that explosion, the air becomes toxic, a massive cloud begins spreading across Europe blocking out the sun, and strange creatures emerge the darkness.

The story is told in two time frames, jumping back and forth from ground zero in Europe and 90 days later as the cloud inches toward the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. and frantic citizens who already witnessed the destruction in across the Atlantic decide how to deal with the terror knocking at their door. With no known hope of survival, will they turn on each other or come together to survive?

Swan does not spare a single moment blending apocalyptic and cosmic horrors and drawing the reader into the novel. He lets us know, almost immediately, that absolutely no one is safe in this scenario. Not every character you connect with is going to survive this. The problem is that he writes his characters so well, it’s hard to remain detached. Even the most unlikable characters–and believe me when I tell you there are plenty–are compelling in their own way.

The other thing the author does exceptionally well is handling details and description. He seems to have an innate talent for giving his reader just what they need to set the imagination on fire. This works for him both in the realm of dealing with his monsters and what they might look like, but also in doling out the inevitable gore that comes from human encounters with them.

Like early John Carpenter films, Swan gives us just enough to make us think we’re experiencing so much more gore than we really are. He trusts that he does not have to spell out every little detail for the reader, and his instincts are impeccable.

Like any apocalyptic novel, Monstre: Volume One is not so much about the looming apocalypse itself as it is the people who are experiencing it. It is the humanity, or lack thereof, that keeps the pages turning. Swan presents his readers with numerous moral questions along the way, and the answers to those questions are not always comfortable.

Who do you leave behind? Is one life more important than any other? When do you trust your instincts and when do you listen to others?

The answers to those questions are never easy, nor should they be, and Swan writes in such a way that there are times you almost feel like you’re in the author’s chair making the decisions. I don’t mind admitting to you that I chose poorly once or twice while reading.

Monstre: Volume One is out today with volume two expected mid-year in 2021. Fans of Stephen King’s The Mist will no doubt want to add this excellent novel to their libraries. Get your copy by CLICKING HERE.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the novel from the author himself, Duncan Swan is hosting a special live event this afternoon/evening at 5 pm PT on Facebook. Details for the event can be found here!

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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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