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Triskaidekaphobia: Fear of the Unlucky Number 13

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Trigger warnings for: triskaidekaphobia, the number thirteen.

Have you jumped on the Friday the 13th bandwagon–complete with loose screws and flattening tires? Take a look in all thirteen shards of the mirror you just shattered, and ask yourself why. (Actually, no–you should probably get that cleaned up first. We can wait.)

(Gif credit: giphy.com)

Once we grow out of the doe-eyed, inquisitive children we all once were, we no longer question such things. We know that that heinous day and date gives some the willies, and that’s just how it is. Always has been, as far back as we can recall.

Clearly, it’s coined as bad luck–and that is not news. Be it a laughable rumor or validated dread, every member of our culture (and many others, since the nineteenth century) have been made aware of the whyfor.

But those who fear the infamous anti-holiday the most aren’t animal shelter volunteers who just received a truckload of black cats, nor those who commute beneath ladders. Hell, it’s not even the campers up at Crystal Lake (Okay–so maybe they’re tied).

It’s those who suffer from triskaidekaphobia: the literal fear of the number thirteen.

That’s a tongue twister. Photo cred: Empire International Studios

And we aren’t here to pass judgment. This is the horror community: a kinship who’d swim through a heap of intestines with glee, like the ball pit at a McDonald’s–yet, some of whom would still piss their pants at the sight of a porcelain doll.

And that’s okay! Unpleasant, albeit, but perfectly fine. We cannot handpick our phobias. If we could, we would all be impenetrable, after all–and this entire genre would never have seen the light of day.

But with an estimated some seventeen to twenty-one million people being affected, this phobia should be further explored.

Triskaidekaphobia on the 13th floor.

lorinotes.file

It gets debilitating: to the point where some victims will refuse to leave the safety of their beds, let alone operate heavy machinery, such as a car.

Wikipedia actually notes that, ironically enough, it’s actually safer to drive on Friday the 13th in the Netherlands, likely because so few people will be on the road. (And while Wiki can be edited by anyone, it’s doubtful that Jason Vorhees is all that tech savvy. Then again, he did go to space–and that’s more than most hackers can say.)

Some avoid the airways as well, rescheduling their flights to dodge the risks of the impending day.

They’ll engage in fewer business pursuits.

Finland even has what’s called “National Accident Day,” which–likely deliberately–always falls on a Friday the 13th.

The suspected origins of the fear seem to lie in religion. Judas was the alleged thirteenth guest to pull up a chair at The Last Supper, as was Norse god Loki the thirteenth guest to arrive at the funeral for a murder which he was said to be behind.

Ye olde fear-mongers likely preyed on the over thinkers of their time, who weren’t yet capable of knowing much better. (And, no… over thinkers has twelve letters.) The fear likely spread like a brush fire.

Every person affected likely has their own reasons–and some may not be consciously able to pinpoint their personal cause. But no matter the root of it, their fear–like every fear–is entirely valid. Work through it once you are able, friends. But until then, perhaps root for Freddy.

Gif credit: New Line Cinema, Crystal Lake Entertainment

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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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