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Eight Horror Movies By Non-Horror Directors

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There’s little doubt that the horror genre has its heroes.  Filmmakers like John Carpenter, Wes Craven, and Tobe Hooper know how to make a good horror film, so that’s what they do.  Every once in a while, though, a director from outside the genre will momentarily set foot into the realm of terror to give us a classic movie, only to go right back to making “normal” movies when they’re done.  Here are eight horror movies by non-horror filmmakers who crossed over to the dark side just once.

 

1. Child’s Play – Sidney Lumet

Child's Play (1972)

Sidney Lumet’s Child’s Play (1972)

Sidney Lumet made some of the most important movies in cinematic history, movies like 12 Angry Men, Network, and Dog Day Afternoon.  Lumet had a way of coaxing brilliant performances out of his actors, and that gave his films heart.  In 1972, he made his only horror film, Child’s Play.  This is not the film about the demonic doll named Chucky, this is an adaptation of a Broadway play about bullying at a catholic boys school that is the result of demonic possession.  Sadly, Lumet died in 2011, so Child’s Play will always be his only horror film.

 

2. The Exorcist – William Friedkin

The Exorcist (1973)

William Friedkin’s The Exorcist (1973)

The Exorcist is easily one of the top five movies on any horror fan’s list (if it isn’t consistently number one), but the 1973 classic is director William Friedkin’s only horror film.  Choosing story over comfort, Friedkin dipped his foot into many different genres, making documentaries like The People vs. Paul Crump, crime dramas like The French Connection, and action films like To Live and Die in L.A., but only wandered into horror again for a few television episodes of The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt.  And speaking of The Exorcist

 

3. Exorcist II: The Heretic – John Boorman

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

John Boorman’s Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Most moviegoers know John Boorman as the director of seminal films such as Deliverance and Excalibur, but he was tapped in 1977 for the inevitable sequel to The Exorcist, appropriately titled Exorcist II: The Heretic.  The film was a flop, and to this day is considered a black eye in the history of the franchise.  Maybe that explains why Boorman never made another horror film?

 

4. What Lies Beneath – Robert Zemeckis

What Lies Beneath (2000)

Robert Zemeckis’ What Lies Beneath (2000)

Robert Zemeckis is better known for shaping the youth of the eighties with his Back to the Future trilogy and for winning Oscars with Forrest Gump.  Although he dabbled a little bit in horror on television, directing episodes of Amazing Stories and Tales from the Crypt, his only big-screen fright flick is the 2000 Hitchcockian ghost story What Lies Beneath.  Despite a strong script and a big-name cast that included Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, What Lies Beneath was a box-office disappointment, so Zemeckis went back to making movies that he knew would be successful – and immediately made the Tom Hanks vehicle Cast Away.

 

5. Near Dark – Kathryn Bigelow

Near Dark (1987)

Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark (1987)

Before she was making Oscar bait films like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, Kathryn Bigelow made action movies like Point Break and Strange Days.  However, even before that, she made Near Dark, a 1987 movie that, along with The Lost Boys, would challenge all of the preconceived notions about vampires.  Bigelow’s direction coupled with the natural chemistry of the cast (Bigelow basically used onetime husband James Cameron’s Aliens cast, a group that consisted of Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, and Jenette Goldstein) turned Near Dark into an instant revisionist western classic vampire movie.  Then, she moved on to making war movies.

 

6. 28 Days Later… – Danny Boyle

29 Days Later... (2002)

Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later… (2002)

For a while, Danny Boyle was England’s hippest director, making too-cool movies like Trainspotting and The Beach.  In 2002, he turned the zombie subgenre on its ear with 28 Days Later… and its fast-moving, athletic pack antagonists.  This was two years before Zack Snyder’s remake of Dawn of the Dead would bring quick zombies into the lexicon.  Boyle didn’t return for the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, instead opting to win a few Oscars with Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours.  As of now, he has never made another horror movie.

 

7. The Omen – Richard Donner

The Omen (1976)

Richard Donner’s The Omen (1976)

Richard Donner got his start in television, directing episodes of old westerns like The Rifleman and Have Gun – Will Travel before helming some of the best episodes from the final season of The Twilight Zone in 1964.  His sole contribution to horror history is the 1976 anti-Christ movie The OmenThe Omen was a huge box office success and is largely considered one of the best horror films of all time, but Donner parted ways with the genre, moving on to more family accessible films like Superman, The Goonies, and Ladyhawke.  He would end up directing a few episodes of Tales from the Crypt in between making Lethal Weapon movies, but The Omen remains his only horror film.

 

8. Misery – Rob Reiner

Misery (1990)

Rob Reiner’s Misery (1990)

A child star who got his big acting break playing Meathead on All in the Family, Rob Reiner stuck gold with his directorial debut, the cult classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap.  Reiner’s film resume includes softies like The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally…, but his adaptation of Stephen King’s short story “The Body” into the coming of age film Stand by Me impressed King so much that, in 1990, the writer let Reiner have a shot at directing one of his more frightening books – Misery.  Reiner’s direction combined with knockout performances by James Caan and Kathy Bates turned Misery into a classic horror film, and Rob Reiner dropped the mic and went back to making dramatic comedies.

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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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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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