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‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ Part 3 is a Fiendishly Good Time

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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3 lands on Netflix today, and it is packed to the gills with horror homages, witch lore, Shakespearean references, musical performances, and more witches than you can shake a broom at.

As the season opens, it has been a month since Nick Scratch (Gavin Leatherwood) became a living prison for the Dark Lord (Luke Cook) and was taken to Hell by Madam Satan aka Lilith (Michelle Gomez) who is doing her best to govern Hell despite constant opposition. Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) has been working constantly to try to find a way into the underworld to retrieve him with the help of her friends Harvey (Ross Lynch), Roz (Jaz Sinclair), and Theo (Lachlan Watson).

Meanwhile, Aunts Zelda and Hilda (Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis)–okay mostly Zelda–are doing their best to plan for the future of the Church of Night now that the disgraced Father Blackwood (Richard Coyle) has fled justice with Ambrose (Chance Perdomo) and Prudence (Tati Gabrielle) in hot pursuit.

The series has always been very dense with a twisting, turning plot and if you need more recap than that, take a few minutes and watch this video from the show’s stars!

Needless to say there’s a lot going on as the new season gets underway.

**There are light spoilers beyond this point.**

The writers on the show have proven time and again that they’re capable of handling the variously intersecting plotlines of the series with alacrity and that talent is on full display here despite a somewhat bumpy beginning to the season.

Those bumps mostly lie in the space where the magical meets the mundane..

Sabrina is wholly focused on her mission, but of course, she has time to try out for cheerleader to be supportive of Roz. Harvey, Roz, and Theo are doing their best to navigate life with the full knowledge that life is much more complicated than most of their mortal friends, so they start a rock band to help blow off some steam.

For me, it was the latter that chafed the most as I settled in for season three. As a musician, I’m always down for a good musical interlude and anyone who has watched an episode or two of Riverdale knows that showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa loves them, but in the first couple of episodes it feels forced.

How many times can Sabrina interrupt band practice after all?

Once they find their rhythm, however, things begin to feel a bit more natural. This is, of course, just in time, for things to go to hell…literally.

You see, not only is Sabrina confronted by the trials and tribulations of Hell, but a new threat has moved into Greendale in the form of a carnival populated by folks who are far more than they seem.

This, of course, opens up the floodgates on a host of new characters that viewers are sure to love, and some that they will no doubt love to hate. There are far too many to name, but it would be remiss not to cover a few of the standouts.

Broadway veteran Will Swenson (Sons of Provo) is brilliant as the carnival’s barker and leader. He practically oozes villain with his menacing smile and eyes that seem to see through anything and everything.

Then there’s the handsome Sam Corlett as Caliban, a Prince of Hell with perfect hair who is made of clay and has his eye set on the Infernal Throne. For those who are thinking that character name sounds familiar, go back to your high school literature courses and re-read Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Sam Corlett as Caliban in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Skye P. Marshall, meanwhile, is electric as voodoo witch Mambo Marie. There is real power in Marshall’s layered performance to the point that it is nearly impossible to take your eyes off her when she appears on screen.

And finally, Jonathan Whitesell turns in a sweet and endearing performance as Robin, who, among other things serves as a love interest for Theo this season. He seems so very comfortable in his role that there are moments where you just want to reach through the screen and hug him.

Despite these new additions, however, Sabrina works best when the family is front and center. In fact, that’s what ultimately sells the series.

Despite the rages of Hell, the constantly battling magical forces, and romantic intrigue, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a show about family, and Sabrina’s extended family is large, varied, and thankfully in the foreground as the season progresses.

On that note, Lucy Davis does not get nearly enough credit in the role of Aunt Hilda. She is pure joy to watch on screen and while we have certainly seen her embrace her dark side, she is the undefeated emotional heart of this show. She turns in one incredible performance after another during this season.

It has also been incredible to watch how the writers have carefully crafted Theo’s character arc. There is a realism to his journey that we rarely see when dealing with non-binary and trans characters and Lachlan Watson is amazing in the role.

Ultimately, every member of Sabrina’s family has come a long way since chapter one, and the journey continues to be a fascinating, complex examination of what it means to be human in an incredibly magical world.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is available today on Netflix. Check out the season’s official trailer below and get ready to travel to Hell!

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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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