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M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Servant’ is Off to a Brilliant Start on AppleTV+

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Servant

Servant, the new series written by Tony Basgallop (To the Ends of the Earth) and executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), started strong last week when the first three episodes dropped on AppleTV+.

The series stars Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) and Toby Kebbell (Warcraft) as Dorothy and Sean Turner, a couple suffering after the loss of their infant child, Jericho. Dorothy was inconsolable to the point of catatonia after Jericho’s death but thanks to a controversial therapy using a lifelike doll as a substitute she has begun taking steps into her old life.

Making the decision to go back to work, she hires Leanne Grayson (Game of Thrones’ Nell Tiger Free) who takes the job, never questioning that her charge is not a living child.

The series is a gloriously atmospheric character study, carefully paced with unexpected surprises around every turn thanks to Basgallop’s writing and the cast’s commitment to their roles.

Ambrose moves from one moment to the next across a perilous psychological landscape with the alacrity of a trained dancer, giving each moment just enough weight before moving to the next inevitable hill or valley. Her performance is especially effective in those valleys, however, as we realize with a palpable sense of dread that even at her lowest, she is still standing on the edge of a cliff.

Kebbell’s Sean, meanwhile, is caught in the equally perilous balancing act between caring for his wife while trying to heal himself. His patience is thin and he lashes out before breaking down while trying to process all of the feelings he has going on inside himself.

And then there’s Leanne. Free plays her with a cold disconnect that leaves the audience uncertain of her actions as well as the motivations behind them. There is something terrifying about Free in this role that could very well place her on nomination lists when award season rolls around.

Nell Tiger Free as Leanne in Servant

The central cast is rounded out by Rupert Grint who famously played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise and continues to prove that he is much more than the role that made him famous with his no-nonsense portrayal of Dorothy’s brother.

It’s a dynamite mixture that keeps Servant on its slow-burn course from one episode to the next.

For his part, Shyamalan, who shares directing duties on Servant with Daniel Sackheim and Lisa Bruhlmann, brings some of his signature style and settings to the series. The man has an uncanny ability to inject dread into otherwise innocuous objects and that talent is on full display throughout the first three episodes.

Be warned, the pacing here is slow, and there are a lot of moving parts to the plot. There is nothing simple about this series at all, but despite its pace, Basgallop manages to include just enough unexpected twists and turns in each half-hour episode to keep the audience guessing.

Will that keep them watching?

That remains to be seen, and will almost completely hinge on whether they can maintain the precarious balancing act they’ve created for themselves and for their characters.

The first three episodes of Servant are currently available on AppleTV+ with new episodes debuting each week.

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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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