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‘Remothered: Tormented Fathers’ is Intense and Enigmatic

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I have a problem when it comes to horror games. I can watch horror movies all day long and while they might get to me, they don’t hold a candle to the fear that a horror game inspires. I sweat and scream and my heart races. I think it’s because it feels like it’s more personal and actually happening to me.

So, when my editor asked me to review Remothered: Tormented Fathers, there was a moment of trepidation and a couple of days of preparation before I sat down to actually play.

Believe me when I tell you that the prep time was needed…

Remothered all begins when Clarice Starling, I mean Rosemary Reed, approaches the home of the mysterious Richard Felton. I joke about Clarice Starling, but this character’s design was an obvious homage to Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs, and there’s no point in pretending otherwise.

It is soon revealed that Reed is at the home under false pretenses. Felton’s daughter disappeared years before and she believes there is much more to the story than what has been made public.

After she has been summarily thrown out of the house by the loyal housekeeper, Gloria, she sneaks back into what is actually a rather impressive mansion after dark. This begins one of the most intense games of cat and mouse I’ve ever played with an all too real cast of antagonists.

Real is a keyword here. The game’s director and developer Chris Darril created Remothered: Tormented Fathers, the first chapter in a proposed trilogy, citing influences like Roman Polanski and other games like Alien: Isolation.

The game is beautifully rendered. The cut scenes are well acted and the house feels real with its multitude of textures and dimly lit corners that become more and more claustrophobic as you are forced to return to the same rooms and run the same hallways repeatedly in order to solve puzzles.

As Reed, you must use your wits and react quickly to navigate those corners and rooms, collecting items to defend yourself and others to set diversions, and every decision you make can mean the difference between life and death.

You can run, for instance, but if Reed becomes winded, her reactions become slow. This is important to remember as she can fight back if attacked but she only really gets one defensive move and after you’ve made it, you need to run like hell to escape because once the game’s Stalkers have you in their sights, they are relentless.

Actual controls for the game (keyboard and mouse) are pretty straightforward. Defensive moves involve a combination of rapid-fire mouse-clicking while effective hiding involves a mechanic using the mouse in slow, smooth movements to avoid detection.

The dauntless Dr. Reed searches the Felton Villa in Remothered via Darril ARts

Speaking of those Stalkers, there are three main enemies you have to worry about here. Richard Felton and his skull-splitting sickle, the Red Nun and her spear (which remarkably resembles the human spinal column), and the aforementioned loyal Gloria.

They can appear out of nowhere at any moment, and your only warning is hearing their voices and various insane ramblings. A good pair of headphones came in handy here as the direction of the voices was easier to ascertain.

All three of these Stalkers are terrifying, but I’m telling you there is nothing quite like the Red Nun for inspiring fear. Even Felton runs like the Devil is on his heels when she shows up.

Voiced by Allen Illman, she appears declaring “I am the Ambassador of the new Lord! L’ambasciatrice della novella del Signore!” with a hoard of moths who seem to obey her commands and a caduceus like spear for a weapon that she takes particular glee in shoving through an eye socket.

Remothered is well-written and plotted throughout, creating a taut, potent gaming experience, but it isn’t without faults.

Once game play really starts, it took me almost an hour to figure out where I needed to go. I wandered the house kind of aimlessly trying to find the key to get the ball rolling with the result that I found some evidence out of order and it made little sense. A little better direction in the beginning would have been helpful.

Also, while I realize that limiting the ability to fight back raises the tension level and forces you to make quick decisions to hide, fight, or flee, It would have been nice to be able to make an offensive move once in a while rather than being stuck on the defensive.

The game ends without really solid answers to most of your questions. This is only the beginning of our story, remember, but I was left with a real desire to learn more. I want to play the next chapter and I want to play it now.

As my fellow iHorror writer, Ryan T. Cusick, says, “Remothered: Tormented Fathers will seep into your skin.”

I’ll take it a step further and say that it gets deep into your mind and stays with you long after the credits roll.

Remothered: Tormented Fathers is available on Steam with the promise of a release on other platforms later this year.

 

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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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